\u201cIt gives parents the right to choose if an app can be downloaded to their cell,\u201d said state Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, sponsor of the bill in the Alabama House where it was approved earlier this month, where it advanced. The legislation was debated and advanced out of a Senate committee on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Critics question the legislation as unenforceable, while at least one senator wondered what the legislation actually tries to do. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t like the sound good, feel-good bills if it cannot truly be enforced as well to make sure the children are protected,\u201d said State Sen. Vivian Figures, D\u2011Mobile, who questioned how HB161 would prevent minors from inadvertently accessing age\u2011inappropriate apps on their phones. <\/p>\n
She added, \u201cWhat are the phone and device companies required to do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Age verification ![\"Clyde](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/XGWOFRBN25HR7JJROGFSAA5Y7I.JPG\")
Alabama State Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, speaks before the Alabama Senate Children and Youth Health Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. Standing next to him is Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville. The two are the House and Senate sponsors of legislation requiring app store providers to have age verifications for minors.John Sharp<\/p>\n
The 14\u2011page bill \u2014 introduced last year but left on the table<\/a> \u2014 would require app stores to verify every user\u2019s age and obtain parental consent before anyone under 18 can download or purchase an app.<\/p>\n Under the proposal, app store providers must collect age information and verify it using commercially available tools or an approved age\u2011verification system. If the user is a minor, the account must be linked to a parent\u2019s account, and parental permission must be granted before any app download or purchase. Parents could withdraw consent at any time.<\/p>\n The bill also requires app stores to notify users and parents when an app undergoes a major change and to obtain renewed parental consent before a child can access the updated version.<\/p>\n Enforcement would fall to the Alabama Attorney General\u2019s Office, and violations by app store developers could be treated as deceptive trade practices.<\/p>\n Popular or unneeded<\/p>\n Supporters argue the measure simply puts parents back in control of their children\u2019s digital lives. <\/p>\n Conservative groups including the Alabama Policy Institute and Eagle Forum of Alabama back the bill. API says the legislation is popular, referring to polling that it conducted showing 83% of Alabamians support the proposal.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen firsthand the devastating cases of kids being groomed and harmed and exploited and trafficked by apps (marketed) for children,\u201d said Melea Stephens of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and a Birmingham\u2011based marriage and family therapist. \u201cThey are told an app is safe for kids. But the rise of AI chatbots is causing devastating harm for Alabama families. And this bill will help those who are less tech savvy.\u201d<\/p>\n The debate mirrors growing parental anxiety nationwide: a recent C.S. Mott Children\u2019s Hospital poll found that around two-thirds of parents now view screen time, social media use and internet safety as major problems for children and teens.<\/a><\/p>\n Opponents counter that the legislation may not accomplish anything beyond what major tech companies like Apple and Google already do. They also warn that Alabama could find itself in the same legal fight now unfolding in Texas, one of four states with similar laws.<\/p>\n