Op-Ed: New York's elected leaders should support app store legislation that puts real tools for online safety in parents' hands

By Mahamadou Hydara

In our work with youth across New York City’s diverse neighborhoods, one truth stands clear: today’s young people live as much in digital spaces as they do in physical ones. As the founder of Neighborhood United and a former educator, I’ve seen how social media and online platforms can either amplify or hinder the growth of our youth. That’s why I’m calling on New York’s congressional delegation to support app store legislation that puts fundamental tools for online safety in parents’ hands.

Working across New York City, we see parents struggling to navigate the complex landscape of online safety. Many feel overwhelmed by the number of apps and platforms their children use, each with its own set of controls and settings. The current patchwork system isn’t working, especially for families lacking technological literacy or facing language barriers.

App store-level verification offers a more straightforward, more effective solution. Instead of requiring parents to manage multiple platforms with different rules, this approach provides a single, straightforward way to authorize their children’s online activities. It’s about empowering families with knowledge and resources – a core principle that drives our work at Neighborhood United.

This isn’t about restricting access to technology. Rather, this approach recognizes that young people can safely access the opportunities and connections that digital spaces provide, but they should do so when their parents say they’re ready. In our community work, we’ve seen how online platforms can open doors to education, creative expression, and career pathways. But we must ensure these opportunities come with appropriate safeguards.

Just as we work to unite neighborhoods and break down barriers in the physical world, we need policies that create safer, more equitable digital spaces. App store-level protections represent a commonsense step toward this goal. They offer a universal solution that works for all families, regardless of their technical expertise or socioeconomic status.

Last year, Representatives John James and Lee introduced promising legislation that would bring parental controls to the app store level. As we begin a new congressional session, it’s crucial that these efforts return and receive support from both sides of the aisle. This isn’t about politics – it’s about providing our communities with the tools they need to help their children thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The path to progress requires unity across political lines. I urge New York’s congressional representatives to support this bipartisan legislation regardless of party affiliation. Our children’s safety online shouldn’t be a partisan issue – it’s a community issue that affects all of us.

We can create digital spaces where our youth can thrive, not despite their neighborhoods, but because of the strong community support systems we build. This legislation represents a crucial step toward that vision.

Mahamadou Hydara is the co-founder and Executive Director of Neighborhood United, an organization that empowers youth and families through education, holistic wellness, and transformative opportunities that foster growth and inspire resilience. He also serves as a physical education teacher at a local middle school in the Bronx.