Googles policies undermine parental control over child online accounts

A complaint has been filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by Melissa McKay, president of the Digital Childhood Institute, regarding an email sent to her 12-year-old son from Google. The email, which was posted on social media, informed the child that he would be able to unlock additional tools once he turned 13.

According to Google’s frequently asked questions, children can disable parental supervision over their accounts at the minimum age in their country, which is often 13. Once this occurs, parents will no longer be able to block certain features, such as apps and location sharing, without the child’s permission.

McKay stated that she had met with FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson and shared her concerns about Google’s practices. She alleged that the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the 2014 FTC Consent Decree on in-app purchases.

Other parental rights activists have expressed similar concerns, stating that Google’s messaging to children can send a signal that parents are barriers to freedom rather than partners in growth. They worry that this approach normalizes the idea that kids should “go it alone” online without any built-in safety net or education.

Representatives for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, have not commented on the matter. The FTC has also declined to comment.

Source: Al Jazeera