house Concurrent Resolution No.15

Reps. Frederick and Calley offered the following concurrent resolution:

A concurrent resolution to encourage technology companies and application developers to establish a third-party organization to assign application software ratings and descriptions and impose sanctions for noncompliance.

Whereas, Millions of children have to access cellular phones and tablets on a daily basis; and

Whereas, Popular applications (apps) developed for use on these electronic devices often include content that is not suitable for the age groups to which they are marketed; and

Whereas, Age ratings and descriptions for apps are the responsibility of the app developer with no oversight to ensure that ratings and descriptions are accurate. No third-party organization has been created to review app ratings or impose sanctions for noncompliance related to app content; and

Whereas, Children may be exposed to inappropriate content or privacy issues through the use of some apps. Apps aimed at children may collect and share personal information, let children spend real money, and link to social media. These apps often have inadequate or difficult-to-find parental controls; and

Whereas, A third-party organization comprised of experts in child development, child protection, and internet safety should be vested with authority to assign app ratings and descriptions and impose sanctions for noncompliance. Such a board could operate in a manner similar to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board and Motion Picture Association of America, which rate video games and films, respectively; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we encourage technology companies and application developers to establish a third-party organization to assign application software ratings and descriptions and impose sanctions for noncompliance.