Google Proposes New Legislative Framework to Protect Children and Teens Online

Google has introduced a legislative framework to enhance online safety for children and teenagers. This framework served as the company's response to congressional child online safety proposals.

Google released its "Legislative Framework to Protect Children and Teens Online" in a blog post Monday. In this initiative, the big tech company emphasized several key principles. First, it advocated for the prioritization of children's and teens' best interests in the design of online products.

Recommendations of Google

Google asserted that online services tailored for young users should be based on expert research and best practices, taking into account factors like safety, well-being, privacy, access to information, and freedom of participation.

The company also proposed a risk-based approach to age verification, recognizing the potential trade-offs between accurate age determination and user privacy.

It suggested that any age assurance methods should be interoperable and avoid excessive data collection. Additionally, the framework recommended legislation that acknowledges the increased maturity of teenagers, avoiding unnecessary restrictions on online access.

The company called for the implementation of robust parental control options that respect teenagers' growing abilities and autonomy. That includes providing parents with meaningful tools to understand and control their child's online experience.

Regarding mental health and well-being, Google stressed the complex relationship between technology use and the psychological well-being of children and teens.

The framework suggested regulatory guidance to encourage content-sharing platforms to implement age-appropriate policies and product features that support mental health.

Ban on Personalized Ads

Google proposed a ban on personalized advertising for individuals under 18, advocating for the protection of children's and teens' personal information from third-party sales.

The company also encouraged platforms to provide tools for teens and parents to manage their online viewing and search history for personalized recommendations.

In terms of content policies, Google recommended a responsible and transparent approach, prioritizing the best interests of children and teens. The company emphasized the importance of developing policies that are publicly available, informed by research and outside expertise, and actively enforced.

The framework underscored the need for risk-based impact assessments to promote accountability in the responsible development of online services. These assessments would evaluate how a service processes the data of children and teens and prioritizes their best interests.

Lastly, Google called for regulatory harmonization and global interoperability to provide clarity and consistency for users, online services, and policymakers in the global digital landscape.

The framework recognized the diversity of online services and their varying roles, emphasizing the need for tailored requirements for different service providers.

"Well-crafted legislation can be an effective tool to build on these efforts to keep children and teens safer online. In particular, we support legislation that tailors protections to the age of the child, supports mental health and well-being, tackles different risks with proportional responses, and gives space for product and business improvements," Google said in a press statement.