Senator Reynolds Introduces Legislation To Allow Parental Consent For Their Children's Apps

COLUMBUS— State Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) introduced SB 167, legislation which would give parents the tools to help keep their kids safe online.

"When a parent buys a phone for their child, they are often the one setting up the device," said Senator Reynolds. "Unless specific settings are activated after the setup process, the app store assumes that the account belongs to an adult. This means that children are downloading apps, making in-app purchases, and potentially interacting with strangers, without their parents' knowing. This bill will solve that problem in a way that is simple for both parents and app stores to implement."

Senate Bill 167 would require the option to indicate if the user is a minor upon setting up the phone, linking the child's account to their parents. This legislation would also:

• Requires developers to provide certain parental control features to parents of users under the age of 18, such as managing which accounts are linked to the child and the delivery of age-appropriate content.
• Require developers to determine if their app is likely to be used by children and, if so, to inform the app stores in which the app is distributed.
• Require an operating system (OS) manufacturer, for devices sold prior to January 1, 2026, to determine the primary user’s age following the first OS update that occurs after January 1, 2027.
• Requires app stores to send real time notifications to parents when a minor requests to download an app or make in-app purchases.

Senate Bill 167 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology where it awaits further consideration.

"Other bills have attempted to accomplish the goal via an app-by-app approach, but those methods have been deemed unconstitutional by the courts," said Senator Reynolds. "Providing parental consent through the app store and prior to app download is the method that has been enacted and effective in Texas, Utah, and Louisiana."

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