Google has been accused of “manipulating children” and undermining parental authority for sending emails to children approaching their 13th birthday, explaining how they could disable parental controls. The issue has sparked widespread international debate.
AzEdu.az reports that the discussions began after Melissa McKay, president of the US-based online safety organization Digital Childhood Institute, publicized a Google email sent to her 12-year-old son. The email in question informed the child that upon reaching 13 years of age, he could update his account to gain access to more applications and services.
Melissa McKay claimed that the email also contained links related to disabling control mechanisms without parental consent. She sharply criticized Google, stating that the technology giant presents parents as “temporary obstacles to be overcome” and thereby attempts to undermine parental authority. According to her, the main purpose of this approach is to manipulate children for data and profit.
The UK child protection organization NSPCC, commenting on the issue, also warned that children making such important digital decisions on their own could make them more vulnerable to misinformation and risky online environments.
Following increasing public pressure, Google has stepped back and announced changes to its policy. Kate Charlet, Head of Privacy and Safety at the company, stated in a LinkedIn post that official parental consent will now be required for children turning 13 to disable parental controls.
According to the new rules, this process will be carried out not solely by the child's decision, but within the framework of a family agreement. Google noted that the changes will ensure control mechanisms remain active until parents and teenagers feel ready.
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