Letter: Protect children who go online

Strengthening Louisiana families begins with empowering parents — especially when it comes to the protection of their own children online. Today’s digital landscape has the potential to expose minors to inappropriate and dangerous content, often without parental permission or knowledge. Luckily, elected officials in Baton Rouge and Washington are stepping up to protect children online with the App Store Accountability Act. 
This session, Representative Kim Carver introduced House Bill 570, the App Store Accountability Act, which will require app stores to receive parental approval before minors can download apps on their devices. Last session, Rep. Carver had a bill that would have required app store parental consent. While the bill passed unanimously out of the House, the app store language was unfortunately killed by lobbyists representing Big Tech companies. This session, the Louisiana Family Forum is excited to help ensure House Bill 570, the App Store Accountability Act, makes its way to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk.
This common-sense bill puts control back where it belongs: with parents—not the marketing-savvy Big Tech companies.
This is not government overreach. It’s a pro-family, pro-freedom solution that respects parental rights. Rather than relying on inconsistent platform-by-platform restrictions where you would have to provide your personal information, the App Store Accountability Act creates a uniform, secure process that helps parents safeguard their children’s digital lives by requiring app stores to use the information parents have already provided to verify ages.
Louisiana is already a national leader in child protection online, but the need for federal action is also urgent. A study by the Heat Initiative and Parents Together Action found over 200 apps marketed to children under 12 featured harmful content in just 24 hours. Even attentive parents may unknowingly allow unsafe material into their homes. Luckily, Senator Mike Lee from Utah and Representative John James from Michigan are expected to reintroduce the App Store Accountability Act in Congress. Given this bill avoids the constitutional concerns Speaker Johnson and Leader Scalise rightly raised last session around other bills, we are hopeful Louisiana’s delegation will help ensure app store parental approval is the law of the land – not just Louisiana.
National polling shows nearly 80% of parents support parental approval at the app store level. This approach ensures consistency, eliminates loopholes, and makes child safety more accessible for busy families.
Critics claim this bill threatens free speech—but it does no such thing. It protects First Amendment rights while reinforcing parental authority. Families, not tech firms, should decide what’s appropriate for children.
The App Store Accountability Act upholds core values: responsibility, transparency, and protection. It gives parents real tools — not just hope and a prayer — to manage their children’s digital exposure.
I urge the Louisiana Legislature and Congress to pass this vital legislation. Louisiana families—and families across the nation—deserve the authority to protect their children online. Our kids are worth it.
Gene Mills
Louisiana Family Forum
President