Big tech companies are clashing over who should be responsible for keeping kids safe online, as states introduce new laws requiring age verification for users. Meta, Apple, and Google are all scrambling to influence legislation, with billions of dollars and reputations at stake.
This year, Utah, Texas, and Louisiana have passed laws mandating that tech companies confirm users’ ages, get parental consent for anyone under 18, and protect minors from harmful content. Now, these companies are heavily lobbying in South Carolina and Ohio, where similar laws might be considered.
The debate has gained urgency since the Supreme Court ruled this summer that some age verification laws are constitutional. Meanwhile, a tech group has asked the Supreme Court to block Mississippi’s social media age verification law, which could lead to a key decision soon.
Child advocates argue that holding tech firms accountable for checking users’ ages is essential for protecting young people online. They say social media platforms often expose kids to dangerous content about self-harm, eating disorders, and drug abuse.
Meta insists that app stores like Apple’s and Google’s should handle age checks, comparing app stores to liquor stores that check IDs. Apple and Google disagree, saying that forcing age verification through app stores violates kids’ privacy. They believe individual apps are better suited for this task. Apple describes the app store more like a mall, not a liquor store.
The new laws place the burden on app stores, which shows Meta’s approach is gaining ground. Meta supported the Utah and Louisiana laws directing Apple and Google to track users’ ages. Similar bills backed by Meta are in 20 states. Senator Mike Lee from Utah also proposed federal legislation to hold app stores responsible for age verification.
However, Meta’s success is mixed. Eight states have passed laws that require social media platforms themselves to verify ages. Apple and Google have pushed back hard, bringing many lobbyists to argue that Meta is trying to avoid its own responsibilities.
Google’s spokesperson accused Meta of offloading its duties and creating privacy risks. Meta’s spokesperson responded that most parents want one place — the app store — to help manage their kids’ online activity. She cited a study showing 80% of American parents prefer this setup.
All three companies have taken steps on their own to protect kids. Meta now blocks teens from seeing certain sensitive content. Apple has introduced “Child Accounts” for parents to better control their kids’ screen time. Apple plans to soon release a new feature allowing parents to share their child’s age range with apps without revealing sensitive details.
As lobbying heats up, the tech industry is divided. Meta left the Chamber of Progress, which Apple and Google still belong to. This group now opposes most age verification laws. Meta has also clashed with the Computer & Communications Industry Association and remains part of NetChoice, which fights all age verification laws through lawsuits—even those Meta supports.
In response, Meta formed a new coalition with Spotify and Match Group to challenge Apple and Google over this issue. It also helps fund the Digital Childhood Alliance, a conservative group pushing for app-store age verification laws. This alliance includes over 100 organizations and has talked with Google about app store concerns.
Apple backs the App Association, which runs ads claiming that age verification laws are influenced by the porn industry. Pornography is mostly banned from app stores, and the adult industry denies supporting these bills.
In South Carolina and Ohio, different proposals place varying levels of responsibility on app stores and developers. This could result in tough laws that please no one.
One observer noted that when big tech companies are united, progress stalls. But as they break into opposing groups, change becomes possible — sometimes because they are fiercely competing behind the scenes.
This ongoing fight highlights how uncertain and contentious the path to online child safety still is. With more states likely to pass laws and the Supreme Court decision looming, tech companies will continue their battle over who should protect kids in the digital world.