A high-stakes clash is brewing over children’s safety on the internet, with billion-dollar implications.
America’s tech giants — Meta, Apple, and Google — are locked in a fierce battle over who’s responsible for keeping kids safe online. And as more U.S. states pass laws demanding stricter age checks on digital platforms, the fight is heating up.
At the heart of the issue: Who should verify a user’s age — the app or the app store?
The Frontlines: New State Laws
So far in 2025, Utah, Texas, and Louisiana have passed tough legislation requiring platforms to:
- Authenticate users’ ages
- Get parental consent for minors
- Protect children from harmful digital content
Now, South Carolina and Ohio are next — and lobbyists from all sides are flooding statehouses, working behind the scenes to influence how these laws take shape.
Supreme Court’s Green Light
The debate has gained serious momentum after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that age verification laws can be constitutional. In response, a tech group petitioned the court to block a similar law in Mississippi, setting the stage for a landmark decision in the coming weeks.
Who’s to Blame?
Child safety advocates argue it’s time for tech companies to step up. They claim platforms are exposing kids to toxic content — from self-harm and eating disorders to drug abuse.
But the tech world is divided:
- Meta says: App stores should be responsible.“The app store is like a liquor store — they check IDs before selling to minors,” Meta argues.
- Apple and Google say: Apps must handle age checks.“The app store is more like a mall — Meta is the liquor store inside,” they counter.
Interestingly, the newest state laws side with Meta, placing the burden on app stores — a sign that Meta’s lobbying may be working.
Meta’s Growing Influence
Meta has backed similar legislation in 20 states and is even supporting a federal bill by Senator Mike Lee that would make app stores verify users’ ages.
But the company’s efforts have faced resistance. Since 2024, at least eight states have passed laws putting responsibility squarely on social media platforms — despite Meta’s push to shift the blame.
Google isn’t staying quiet.
“Meta is just trying to dodge its duty to protect children,” said Google’s spokesperson.
“These laws introduce privacy risks without fixing the real issues.”
Meta fired back:
“Parents want a one-stop shop to control their kids’ online experiences. And 80% of them believe app stores are the best place to do that,” said spokesperson Rachel Holland.
Behind-the-Scenes Battles
All three companies have introduced voluntary safeguards:
- Meta now restricts teen access to sensitive content.
- Apple is rolling out a new “age assurance” feature that lets parents share age ranges with apps — without revealing private data.
Still, the lobbying war is escalating. Meta recently left the Chamber of Progress, a liberal tech group that includes Apple and Google. Since then, the Chamber has become a vocal opponent of all age verification laws.
“Most lawmakers don’t want to be referees in a tech giant brawl,” said the Chamber’s CEO Adam Kovacevich.
Meta also clashed with the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), trying to get them to stop fighting the very laws Meta supports — but with no success. Ironically, Meta remains a member of NetChoice, which opposes all age verification laws.
New Alliances & Accusations
To strengthen its position, Meta launched a coalition with Spotify and Match Group aimed at challenging Apple and Google’s dominance — including on age checks.
It’s also funding (though not openly confirming) the Digital Childhood Alliance, a conservative-leaning group lobbying for app-store accountability. That group, led by Casey Stefanski, has already met with Google multiple times to discuss app store safety.
Apple, meanwhile, backs the App Association, which is fighting back with ads in states like Texas and Ohio. Their argument? These bills could hurt small developers and don’t solve real problems. They’ve even accused adult sites of backing these bills — a claim the adult industry denies.
“These laws punish small businesses while giving social media giants a free pass,” said App Association spokesperson Jack Fleming.
What’s Next?
With competing bills being drafted in South Carolina and Ohio — each placing different levels of responsibility on developers vs. app stores — there’s a real chance that no one will be satisfied.
“Big Tech isn’t a monolith anymore,” said Joel Thayer, a backer of app-store accountability laws.
“When they splinter, real change becomes possible — because now they’re just a breath away from turning on each other.”
