Washington, DC (October 15, 2021) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) enthusiastically endorses the “Fix App Ratings” bill, designed to increase accountability in the current app rating system, introduced by U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Mike Johnson (R-La.).
“Many apps claim to be safe for children but instead, expose them to hard core pornography that is demonstrably harmful to developing minds,” explained Dawn Hawkins, CEO of NCOSE.
“The technology industry must take responsibility for ensuring apps are rated accurately,” continued Hawkins. “Parents are left in the dark about the kind of content their children are accessing because app ratings are misleading or inaccurate. The ‘Fix App Ratings’ bill will lead to the creation of necessary protections for our children.”
“For instance, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are rated 12+, but these social media platforms and others have left children vulnerable to potential predators and harmful content. Tech platforms should focus on defaulting to safety, thereby putting the health and wellbeing of children above profit,” said Hawkins.
This resolution comes on the heels of efforts that NCOSE, Protect Young Eyes, and child advocate Melissa McKay have taken to Fix App Ratings.
