In advance of a law that will ban Australians under the age of 16 from having social media profiles, Apple is highlighting the resources available in the App Store to help developers ensure adherence. The law will go into effect on December 10, mandating that accounts for users under 16 be deactivated, and no new accounts may be established.
Apple has released a statement in its developer newsroom detailing the obligations of developers and the resources they can leverage:
1. **Declared Age Range API**: This API enables developers to offer age-appropriate experiences by requesting specific age ranges, such as under 16, and modifying app functionality as needed.
2. **App Description on the App Store**: Developers are required to provide descriptions that assist users in assessing app suitability, including age limitations for social media.
3. **In-app Controls on the App Store Product Page**: Apple has refined the age ratings questionnaire to encompass inquiries regarding in-app controls, like age verification and parental guidance. Apps that incorporate these features can display their compliance on their product listings.
4. **Higher Minimum Age Rating**: Developers have the option to set a higher age rating than what is automatically assigned based on their questionnaire answers in App Store Connect.
5. **Age Suitability URL**: Developers can add a URL linking to a site containing information about the app’s age-related content, which will be displayed on the App Store product page.
For further details regarding Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, consult the official legislative resources.
