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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John James (MI-10) spoke to the House Energy and Commerce Committee during a hearing on H.R. 3149, the App Store Accountability Act. This legislation was introduced by James to protect children online and give parents real authority over what their kids download. The bill is also being led in the Senate by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).

"Americans are waking up to Big Tech’s game,” said James. “They provide lip service on how they are protecting children, while actually delivering none of those protections. Social media has been labeled the primary culprit and for good reason. Countless studies and multiple congressional hearings make clear that social media is not only an addictive service for children, but it is also harmful for their mental acuity and overall health.”

During today’s hearing, Rep. James underscored the urgent need to hold app stores responsible for providing minors with access to age-restricted or addictive content. A national poll commissioned by the Digital Childhood Alliance shows that 88 percent of parents support this requirement.

"Just as how brick-and-mortar stores are held responsible for selling age-restricted materials like tobacco or alcohol to minors, the App Store Accountability Act will hold digital app stores accountable for providing adult or addictive material to minors,” continued James. “Kids cannot consent. I say again, kids cannot consent.  And any company that exposes them to adult or addictive material should—and will—be held accountable.”

The App Store Accountability Act has earned broad national support, including endorsements from Pinterest, the Digital Childhood Alliance, Heritage Action, the International Union of Police Associations, and more than 150 organizations and advocacy groups committed to child safety, mental health, and responsible technology practices.

To view Rep. James’ full committee remarks, click here.

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