California’s Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), approved by Governor Newsom in October 2025, sets out a statewide age assurance framework for operating systems and app stores. It requires o…
If you accept that there is content on-line which small children should not access, then it follows that some type of age verification beyond “Click here only if you’re old enough” is necessary.
No, that does not necessarily follow.
This is shifting responsibility for children away from the parents and onto software developers. But an argument could be made that it’s the parent’s responsibility to monitor their child’s internet usage and prevent them from accessing things they should not access.
How about, instead of fining software developers for allowing a child to access inappropriate content, we fine the child’s parents for allowing their child to access inappropriate content?
No, that does not necessarily follow.
This is shifting responsibility for children away from the parents and onto software developers. But an argument could be made that it’s the parent’s responsibility to monitor their child’s internet usage and prevent them from accessing things they should not access.
How about, instead of fining software developers for allowing a child to access inappropriate content, we fine the child’s parents for allowing their child to access inappropriate content?