NATIONAL POLL: Voters Strongly Support App Store Accountability Act

88 percent of parents support requiring app stores to obtain parental approval before minors can download apps

WASHINGTON – A new national poll commissioned by the Digital Childhood Alliance shows strong, bipartisan support for requiring app stores to obtain parental approval before minors can download apps. This is a core principle of the App Store Accountability Act, which is gaining momentum in multiple states and Congress as a common-sense solution to help protect children online.

The national poll shows broad, bipartisan support for several key components of the App Store Accountability Act:

  • 82% of voters – including 88% of parents – support requiring app stores to obtain parental approval for minors to download apps. Across the political spectrum, 86% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats, and 79% of Independents are supportive.
  • A clear majority of voters (63%) say it would be easier for parents to provide approval via an app store when their child requests to download an app. By contrast, less than one-quarter of voters (22%) say it would be easier to provide approval separately in each app.
  • 83% of voters – including 85% of parents – believe that parents should be required to give consent before children under 18 can agree to an app’s terms of service.
  • More than seven-in-ten voters overall (73%) believe there should be an independent organization that helps assign age ratings to apps – similar to those currently in place for movies and video games. Among parents in particular, more than three-in-four (76%) are supportive.

“These poll results reflect the national momentum behind the App Store Accountability Act. This legislation is a strong bipartisan solution – supported by an overwhelming majority of parents – that will help safeguard our children from online harm,” said Casey Stefanski, Executive Director of the Digital Childhood Alliance. “Voters across the country want sensible measures that empower parents and give them the tools needed to keep their children safe.”

The poll, conducted by Fabrizio Ward, surveyed 1,000 registered voters nationwide, with an oversample of 500 registered voters who are parents or guardians of children under 18 who live in their household.

To view the polling memo, click here.