Publication date: October 20, 2023
False age rating displayed on Apple App Store, reported
By MovieguideĀ® Contributor
Many parents rely on the Apple App Store’s age rating system to protect their children from harm, but many ratings are deceptive and reflect potentially harmful content in apps. Is not …
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) states that “dangerous or dangerous features in apps that facilitate contact or relationships with adults (and therefore predators), pornography and other sexually explicit content, and illegal drug activity” , potential financial sextortion, etc., are documented as not being included in the app,ā the current app description. ā
In a letter to the tech giant, NCOSE said, “Apple tells caregivers that they “never have to worry about inappropriate content” in the App Store, and that “Apple tells parents that they should never have to worry about inappropriate content” in the App Store. “We emphasize that there is an age restriction system in place so that people can make decisions.” their child. ‘ Unfortunately, the App Store’s age restriction doesn’t live up to its promise. ā
Thanks to Apple’s irresponsibility, apps with this kind of content can be rated as suitable for children. This makes it harder for parents to monitor what their children are watching and allows this type of content to bypass parental controls for blocking.
Apple’s age rating system is one of the key components that triggers parental control blocks, as many apps are blocked based solely on age ratings.
Additionally, in-app advertising can expose children to potentially harmful content on secure apps. “These include kink and hookup apps, ‘chatroulette’ apps that pair random strangers together to chat over a webcam, and advertisements that refer to drugs and gambling,” NCOSE said.
These ads are particularly concerning when they appear in apps rated as suitable for children, as they violate Apple’s developer guidelines.
The App Store rating system may be an unreliable source of information for parents, but it’s not the only option. NCOSE encourages parents to investigate apps using the App Danger Project, an initiative that increases the visibility of reviews that discuss app safety.
The Canadian Center for Child Protection recommends four changes to the App Store to improve child safety. āProviding transparent information about how app age rating standards are achieved and monitoredā¦Enforcing age ratings listed in mobile app storesā¦Apps advertised in mobile app stores Make sure the user’s age matchesā¦[and] Standardize age ratings to ensure consistency across app stores. ā
MovieguideĀ® previously reported:
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) recently released its 2023 “Dirty Dozen” list.
āThe Dirty Dozen List is an annual campaign that accuses 12 mainstream organizations that promote, facilitate, or profit from sexual abuse and exploitation,ā NCOSE said. did.
Additionally, the Dirty Dozen List is an action tool that enables large-scale change. The list outlines specific steps people can take to hold companies accountable, including emailing lawmakers, signing petitions to company executives, and pre-written social media messages. .
ā¦
Apple App Store:
“Fundamentally deceptive. Apple App Store age ratings and descriptions mislead parents about the content, risks, and dangers to children of available apps. If parents are not informed, , children will pay the price.
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