Calling for the establishment of an app ratings board to enforce consistent and accurate age and content ratings of apps on internet-ready devices and calling on technology companies to ensure the implementation of user-friendly and streamlined parental controls on devices used by minors.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 721 Calling for the establishment of an app ratings board to enforce consistent and accurate age and content ratings of apps on internet-ready devices and calling on technology companies to ensure the implementation of user-friendly and streamlined parental controls on devices used by mi- nors. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOVEMBER 20, 2019 Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana (for himself and Mr. MCADAMS) submitted the fol- lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Calling for the establishment of an app ratings board to enforce consistent and accurate age and content ratings of apps on internet-ready devices and calling on tech- nology companies to ensure the implementation of user- friendly and streamlined parental controls on devices used by minors. Whereas internet-ready devices, and the applications that run on such devices, are used by millions of minors daily; Whereas the most-downloaded apps often include content that is not consistent with the age rating or description of such apps; VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:38 Nov 21, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR721.IH HR721 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 721 IH Whereas clarity in the rating of apps is a critical part of so- cial responsibility on the part of leading technology com- panies when including apps in their databases for their users to download; Whereas parents of minors deserve transparency and accu- racy in the ratings of apps and the meanings behind those ratings; Whereas no third-party organization is holding app devel- opers accountable to ensure that app age ratings are con- sistent and accurate across devices and that app descrip- tions adequately explain the content and advertising available to minors in such apps; Whereas no third-party organization has the authority to im- pose sanctions for nondisclosure related to app content and advertising; Whereas apps contain unique risks of both exposure to inap- propriate content and predators, so a specific app rating system that takes these unique risks into account is need- ed; Whereas social media is increasingly being used to recruit and sexually exploit young users for sexual abuse or sex trafficking; Whereas social media is increasingly used for sexual harass- ment and sexualized bullying, including unsolicited sexu- ally explicit images, repeated requests for sexually explicit imagery, sexual images that are not consensually shared, and unwanted exposure to pornographic images; Whereas recent studies indicate that excessive use of social media, particularly in young girls, can lead to an increase in depressive symptoms; VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:38 Nov 21, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR721.IH HR721 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 721 IH Whereas suicide rates, depression, and mental health issues among adolescents in the United States have been found to increase as social media use has surged within the same age group; Whereas many providers and users of interactive computer services covered by section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230), as added by section 509 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, have failed to comply with basic best business practices in connection with the protection of minors from harmful content, therefore instigating interest in a review of the status of such providers and users under section 230 unless the business practices of such providers and users come into alignment with reasonable care and best business prac- tices of such providers and users appropriate for pro- tecting minors; Whereas popular apps often do not include parental controls or have inadequate parental controls; Whereas the parental controls provided on internet-ready de- vices are often insufficient, ignore the age of users, con- tain loopholes, and are difficult to implement, leaving mi- nors unprotected from sexual abuse and exploitation; and Whereas the improper use of internet-ready devices during school hours contributes to student distraction and lower test scores and the use of such devices during bedtime hours can lead to sleep disturbance: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) calls on technology and app development 2 companies to establish an app rating board, com- 3 prised of industry representatives and child develop- 4 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:38 Nov 21, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR721.IH HR721 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 721 IH ment, child protection, and internet safety subject 1 matter experts to— 2 (A) establish new criteria for what content 3 and in-app risks result in specified age-appro- 4 priate app ratings; 5 (B) review app ratings and descriptions of 6 the most-downloaded apps; and 7 (C) impose sanctions for noncompliance; 8 and 9 (2) calls on technology companies to— 10 (A) manufacture internet-ready devices, in- 11 cluding iPhones, Android devices, and 12 Chromebooks, with user-friendly parental con- 13 trols; 14 (B) close loopholes that permit the bypass- 15 ing of parental controls; 16 (C) build in age-based, default safety set- 17 tings; and 18 (D) provide selective app shutoff for bed- 19 time and school hours. 20 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:38 Nov 21, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR721.IH HR721 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS