Rep. Josh Gottheimer voiced his frustration over the reported issues at an event where he was joined by educators and mental health advocates at the Ridgewood YMCA, he announced in a release about the event. The congressman spoke about the issues parents have reported with the software, which has features that prevent children from spending too much time on their phones and from viewing inappropriate content.
Screen Time allows users to track how much time they and their kids spend on their devices and gives customers the option to set limits, according to Apple’s website. The software’s Content & Privacy Restrictions make it possible for users to block or limit specific content or features on a device, according to the company.
Thousands of Apple customers have written to the company, complaining about the software’s glitches involving restrictions on children’s devices that become deactivated after being set or updated, according to Gottheimer’s office.
“Apple is dragging their feet on developing effective parental controls for their addictive products. Turning a profit cannot be more important than protecting our children,” Gottheimer said.
The Congressman said he plans to send the company a letter this week, demanding answers on when the glitches will be fixed.
Gottheimer previously spoke to company officials, who said they were aware of the issues but did not provide a timeline for when they would be fixed, his office said in a press release.
A spokesperson for Apple could not immediately be reached Monday evening.
“Kids today use these devices to do their homework, connect with their friends and call their parents when they need help,” the congressman said. “It’s up to all of us to make sure the voices of millions of parents are heard because some tech companies can and must do better. It’s time to give parents back the power.”
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