By Victoria Cortez
Social media has become an unavoidable part of daily life, shaping how we connect, communicate, and consume information. While these platforms offer significant benefits, they also present growing risks—especially for minors. Parents are struggling to shield their children from harmful content, online predators, and the mental health challenges that can come with excessive social media use. Without stronger protections in place, young users remain vulnerable. Lawmakers must act now to modernize outdated regulations and provide families with better tools to navigate the digital world safely.
According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of U.S. teens have access to smartphones, meaning nearly all young people are regularly exposed to online risks. In response, several states have introduced policies requiring parental consent for minors on social media. However, these measures are often fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to enforce. A more uniform, effective approach is needed to ensure children’s safety across all digital platforms.
That’s why parents and child advocates like myself are supporting Assembly Bill 1043 – The Digital Age Assurance Act. This bill offers a groundbreaking solution to protect children online through a privacy-first age verification system for digital devices and apps.
For too long, policymakers and parents have struggled to keep up with the dangers of an internet that was not designed with children in mind. As a result, kids have been left exposed to inappropriate content, manipulative algorithms, and unsafe interactions. The consequences are serious: A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that rates of persistent sadness and suicidal ideation among high school students have risen dramatically over the past decade, with girls disproportionately affected.
At the same time, the internet is no longer optional for children. They rely on digital platforms for education, entertainment, and socialization. A 2021 report by the 5Rights Foundation underscores the need for safer online spaces that are designed with kids in mind—starting with the ability to accurately assess a user’s age.
Assembly Bill 1043 tackles this issue by requiring device manufacturers, operating systems, and app stores—known as “covered manufacturers”—to include a simple, secure way for users to enter their age or birthdate. This non-personal data would generate a real-time age signal to app developers, allowing them to provide appropriate safeguards for young users.
For children under 16, app stores would be required to obtain parental consent before allowing downloads. Developers would also receive a secure confirmation of that consent and, when technically feasible, provide parental support tools, such as account linking, content controls, and time limits for users under 18.
By establishing a clear age assurance framework, Assembly Bill 1043 strikes a balance between privacy, security, and usability. It empowers parents with greater oversight, fosters trust between families and tech companies, and provides businesses with a consistent standard for responsible innovation.
Right now, California’s children are growing up in an online world without guardrails, making them easy targets for cyberbullying, sextortion, and other digital threats. This is unacceptable. The Digital Age Assurance Act is a necessary step toward creating a safer online environment—one that prioritizes child safety while still preserving the benefits of digital participation.
Passing Assembly Bill 1043 isn’t just about protecting kids today; it’s about ensuring that future generations can navigate the digital world safely. Lawmakers must recognize that online safety is not just a parental concern but a societal responsibility. By supporting strong legislation like Assembly Bill 1043, we can build a safer, more accountable digital future for our children.
About the Author: Victoria Cortez is a board member of California Parents for Public Virtual Education. She resides in the Central Valley and her children attend California Virtual Academy.