A new study by child safety organizations reveals that Apple's App Store is a major source of dangerous and inappropriate apps for children.
Apps aimed at children have been available since the inception of the App Store. However, not all apps created for minors are safe to use. This is the main finding of a new survey conducted by two child safety organizations. The report presents the results of a 24-hour research study in which 800 apps were reviewed, and the findings are concerning. The Heat Initiative and ParentsTogether Action study found that Apple’s App Store is a mass distributor of risky and inappropriate apps to children.
Many apps have features that put children at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation, low self-esteem and poor body image, disordered eating, exposure to sexual and violent content, and more. Apple claims that the App Store is a safe place for children, but the study found that Apple takes no legal responsibility for the veracity of age ratings. Of the 800 apps reviewed, more than 200 risky apps were identified. These apps have a combined total of more than 550 million downloads. As part of the study, the researchers examined five categories of apps: chat, beauty, diet and weight loss, internet access, and gaming. They focused on apps with an age rating of 4+, 9+, or 12+. Apps rated 17+ were not included in the documentation. The study revealed several startling findings. For example, it uncovered 25 chat apps that made it possible for strangers to communicate with minors. Other apps are designed to provide unfiltered internet access, even though filters at home or school are supposed to block banned sites. Related Elsewhere, several beauty and body-related apps encouraged fasting and setting starvation-level calorie goals. Others, including “gaming” apps, focused on users providing naked photos and ones focused on violence. Apple describes the App Store as a “trusted place” where users can safely discover and download app
APPLE APP STORE CHILD SAFETY RISKY APPS ONLINE PROTECTION CHILDREN's TECHNOLOGY
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