Letter to the editor: Parents deserve a say on kids' apps

As a former state senator and now a grandfather, I’ve spent years focused on strengthening families and communities. But today’s digital world presents new challenges, especially for parents trying to protect their kids online.

Smartphones and tablets give children nearly unlimited access to app stores filled with content that ranges from educational to deeply inappropriate. Many apps are designed to exploit kids for profit, track their behavior or expose them to harmful material — and, too often, parents have no idea what’s being downloaded.

We require consent for so many aspects of a child’s life. Why not for the digital world too?

That’s why I support the App Store Accountability Act, which would require parental permission before kids under 16 can download apps. It’s a commonsense step to give families more control and bring accountability to the tech platforms our kids use every day.

I urge Congress to reintroduce and pass this bill. Protecting our children shouldn’t be optional — it should be a priority.

John N. Wozniak

Johnstown