Kristina Roberts
Texas is close to passing a new law that will make big tech companies check the age of people using their app stores. If the governor signs the bill, Apple and Google will have to make sure that anyone under 18 gets permission from their parents before downloading apps or buying things inside those apps. This move puts Texas in the middle of a big discussion about how to protect kids and teens online while still letting them use smartphones safely.
Right now, the bill is waiting for approval from Governor Greg Abbott. Once it becomes law, Apple and Google will have to follow these new rules. Both companies are not happy with the law because they believe it forces them to share age information with every app, even ones that don’t really need it. Instead, they have suggested a different idea—only sharing age details with apps that actually require this information. This way, they say, privacy can be better protected.
The debate over age checks is not just happening in Texas. It has also caused disagreements between big tech companies. For example, Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, has its own opinions on how age verification should work. Last year, Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke about this during a meeting with US senators. He said parents should not have to “upload an ID or proof they are a parent in every single app that their children use.” Instead, he believes the best place to handle age checks is in the app stores themselves.
This new law is part of a bigger effort to make the internet safer for young people. Many parents and lawmakers worry that kids can easily access apps that are not suitable for their age. Some apps might have violent content, while others might trick kids into spending money on in-app purchases without their parents knowing. By requiring age verification, Texas hopes to give parents more control over what their children can download.
However, some people argue that this law could create new problems. Forcing app stores to check ages might make it harder for everyone to use apps quickly. Some users might also worry about privacy if they have to share personal information just to download a simple game. Tech companies are especially concerned because they already have their own ways of keeping kids safe, like parental controls and spending limits. They believe these tools work well enough without needing strict laws.
Texas is not the first place to try something like this. Other states and countries have also introduced rules to protect young internet users. But because Texas is such a big state with a lot of people, this law could have a major impact. If it works well, other states might copy the idea. On the other hand, if it causes too many problems, lawmakers might have to rethink their approach.
For now, everyone is waiting to see what Governor Abbott decides. If he signs the bill, Apple and Google will have to make big changes to their app stores. This could mean new pop-up messages asking for age details or even requiring parents to confirm their child’s downloads. Some experts say this could slow down the app-buying process, while others believe it’s a small price to pay for keeping kids safe.
Parents have mixed feelings about the law. Some are happy because they want more ways to protect their children online. Others think it might be too strict and that parents should be the ones deciding what apps their kids can use, without the government getting involved. No matter what happens, this law is sure to spark more debates about how to balance safety, privacy, and convenience in the digital world.
The tech industry is watching closely because this could set a new standard for app stores everywhere. If Texas succeeds, other states—or even the federal government—might pass similar laws. Apple and Google may have to update their systems not just in Texas but across the whole country. This could mean big changes for how apps are downloaded and used in the future.
As the discussion continues, one thing is clear: keeping kids safe online is a priority for many people. Whether this law is the best way to do that remains to be seen. But for now, Texas is taking a big step toward stricter rules for app stores, and the rest of the country is paying attention.
