Add Apps to Growing List of Concerns for Parents

Common Sense Media, a non-profit group focused on educating families about digital content, is pushing federal regulators to pay closer attention to cell phone applications and the possible risks posed by an explosion of mobile content. It's also in talks with Apple about signaling to parents and children what applications may be inappropriate for them. The group is also beginning to rate phone applications like it has done for video games, movies and Web sites. Common Sense Media sees "digital literacy" for children as a key regulatory concern that crosses several sections of the federal government. The group thinks the Federal Communications Commission has a responsibility to dive into questions of new technologies with its expansive inquiry into how digital media is impacting children. Education regulators should educate students and their families on digital content as part of school curriculum. Technology regulators should look at the impact of new technologies on children. The Obama administration's push for high-speed access to all Americans should also include education on how children and families can use the Web.