Facebook has long had trouble keeping underage users off its platforms, leading to countless scandals and controversy surrounding children’s safety and mental health. However, Facebook wants to make app store providers like Google and Apple responsible for this age verification when users set up their phones. That way, Facebook argues, users won’t have to verify their age repeatedly from app to app. However, the company also seems to be trying to dodge some accountability for this widespread problem.

According to Facebook’s global head of safety Antigone Davis, “The ability to know somebody’s age and try to protect privacy at the same time can be challenging.” However, the company is trying to lead by example by prompting all Meta Quest users to verify their ages again in the app. Still, Davis said that it’s a complicated issue to navigate, especially on a state to state level.

“What you’re finding right now is that some states specify the type and form of age verification, some states don’t specify the type and form of age verification,” Davis told The Verge. “Some have some idea of accuracy rates that they think should apply; some don’t offer any accuracy rates. There’s significant ambiguity in many of the laws, and I think there will be some concerns about liability and risk for all companies with the laws as they currently are.”

While it would be helpful if app stores chipped in to help keep underage users safe, there’s no doubt that Facebook itself could and should do much more on its own platforms.

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