Frequently throughout 2025, space in these pages will be given to organizations working to end racial injustice across the state. We hope that these reflections spark policy changes for a more equitable Minnesota. This week’s guest contributor is LaTrisha Vetaw, a member of the Minneapolis City Council representing Ward 4.
By LaTrisha Vetaw
I hear the same concern from parents across Ward 4 all the time: They’re trying hard to keep up with what their kids are doing online, but every week there’s a new app they’ve never even heard of. How can they protect their children when they don’t even know what they’re using?
In my 20 years of public service, first in community health and now as a Minneapolis city councilor, I’ve learned that the best policies are simple and make life easier. That’s why I support the App Store Accountability Act. It offers practical help for parents who just want to stay connected to their children’s digital world.
Families here in North Minneapolis are incredibly resilient. They’re juggling work, school, and community challenges that others might not fully understand. What they don’t need is another complicated system that demands they become tech experts on top of everything else.
From my experience in community health, I know the importance of meeting people where they are. You can’t expect a parent working two jobs and attending night school to also be a social media researcher. But you can give them simple tools that fit into their everyday lives, tools that help them make informed choices about their children’s safety online.
That’s exactly what this federal legislation does. It builds on something parents already know: getting notified when their kids want to make purchases online. The App Store Accountability Act extends that process to app downloads. Before a teen can install a new app, their parents must approve or decline it right from their own phone.
What I appreciate most is that this approach respects both parents and young people. Parents get the information they need to guide their children’s choices, but once approved, teens can use the app privately. It’s not about spying on messages or monitoring every click, it’s about staying informed about the digital spaces their children enter.
This balance feels right to me, both as a policymaker and as someone who’s worked with families across Minneapolis for two decades. Strong families need both connection and trust. Good policy supports these relationships rather than complicating them.
I’ve seen firsthand how technology can be a force for good. Young people use social media to organize, advocate for change, and access educational opportunities. During my time on the Park Board, I watched teens mobilize support for better programming in underserved neighborhoods. Digital tools are some of our best resources for community connection, if we use them thoughtfully.
But I’ve also seen the challenges. Teens often encounter harmful content without adult guidance, and parents are left unsure how to help. For many families, technology becomes a source of stress rather than connection.
The App Store Accountability Act helps by opening the door for conversation: “Tell me about this app. How will you use it responsibly?” We can embrace the benefits of digital connection while still providing the parental guidance young people need to grow into responsible, thoughtful adults.
There’s no perfect solution to keeping kids completely safe online, but encouraging open dialogue between parents and teens is a big step forward. I urge our Minnesota congressional delegation to support the App Store Accountability Act. It’s a common-sense policy that supports families, making their lives easier, not harder, as they work to raise healthy, safe and connected young people.
Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw represents Ward 4, which is located in the northernmost part of Minneapolis.
