I heard a dad say on CNN this week that we need social media platforms to age verify and surveil users because his children won't do their weekend chores - instead they are stuck on screens. My response: parents, no amount of surveillance, data collection, or age verification can get your child to put the screen down and do their chores. You must set boundaries...you must step up and parent!

Florida's AG wants digital ID expanded in the 2027 legislative session with age verification at the App Store and OS levels. “The app stores like Apple App Store, Google Play, other marketplaces. They also will be bound by law to ensure proper age verification,” he said. “Kids cannot access apps unless they get permission, explicit permission from their parents. These things are going to save lives.” Requiring age verification, while all the in-app dangers persist, is not going to "save lives." If parents currently cannot be bothered to turn on parental controls that require their permission for app downloads, they aren't going to pay more attention when it's mandated. They'll go through the steps of providing their child's and their government ID and the documentation that shows they are, indeed, the parent or legal guardian of the child so that they can then click the "I approve" box for the child to download apps. No one protects a child like an engaged parent who is willing to spend the time locking down the device, talking to their child about their online activity, and setting real boundaries around tech in the home. This is "government as parent" - they are intentionally selling digital ID and government surveillance as "child safety".