Letters to the Editor: Huizenga's Senate decision and online protections for children

EDITOR'S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not of Ottawa News Network.

How far Huizenga has gone to stay in Washington

Now that Bill Huizenga has determined NOT to run for the U.S. Senate after talking to his family (and I'm sure many prayers ) and President What's-His-Name, I'm asking if you might create a timeline on how $Bill has evolved since he first ran for for office as a Michigan legislator and currently as a U.S. representative, to where he is today.

I suspect, like many others, he has developed a case of Potomac fever and lost touch with his constituents and sold his soul to the devil DJT.

Thank you, and Mary Ellen too, for all you're doing to make Ottawa County a beautiful place to live, work and play. Actions speak louder than words, if you know what I mean. (i.e, Board of Commissioners top tizzy-fitting over "Where You Belong" vs. "Where Freedom Rings."

Phil Leech
Spring Lake Township

We need more safeguards to protect our kids online

As an IT professional with over two decades of experience, I know all too well the dangers that lurk for our kids online.

As a dad of five, this unfortunate reality hits home. Technology is indispensable today; it’s how our kids learn, socialize, and develop their identities. It’s up to us to make the experience safer for our kids without cutting them off from the opportunities technology provides. That's why I'm urging Michigan's senators to champion federal legislation that gets this balance right by passing the App Store Accountability Act.

Too often, well-intentioned efforts to protect children online miss a crucial reality — for many young people, especially LGBTQ+ youth, digital spaces aren't just entertainment. They're lifelines. When a teenager in rural Michigan can't find acceptance at home or school, online communities provide connection, resources, and sometimes life-saving support. Digital connections and access to information can mean everything to young people.

But here's the problem: our current approach to online safety creates a false choice between protection and access. State-by-state legislation has produced a confusing maze of rules that burden families while potentially cutting off vulnerable youth from the support they desperately need. Some proposals require extensive age verification on individual platforms, forcing kids to repeatedly share sensitive personal information — a particular concern for LGBTQ+ youth who may not be out to their families or communities.

The App Store Accountability Act offers a smarter path forward. Instead of asking every social media platform to become a gatekeeper, this federal legislation designates app stores as the single point of parental oversight. When a minor wants to download an app, their parent receives a notification and can approve or deny the request — simple, secure, and respectful of family dynamics.

The technical infrastructure already exists. Apple and Google currently manage family accounts and purchase approvals for minors. Rather than reinventing the wheel, we're simply extending these existing systems to include app downloads. This means no new personal data collection, no additional privacy risks, and no burden on families to navigate multiple verification systems.

I've seen public opinion polling that shows strong support for the approach of the App Store Accountability Act, because it empowers families. Also crucially, this law doesn't require collecting any new personal information that the Trump administration or any government could access. A parent can approve access to a social media platform while their teenager maintains privacy in how they use it. This preserves the crucial distinction between parental guidance and surveillance.

Michigan has always been a state that values both strong families and individual rights. Our senators are positioned to lead on legislation that honors both values. Senator Peters and Senator Slotkin have long championed policies that protect vulnerable communities while preserving essential freedoms. The App Store Accountability Act should be next. 

A complex web of mismatched, conflicting state laws will create confusion and compliance loopholes and that won’t make our kids any safer. In order to actually keep kids safe online, we need a federal solution that puts parents in control while recognizing that digital connections can be essential for young people's well-being and development.

I urge Michigan's leaders to champion the App Store Accountability Act. This legislation represents the kind of pragmatic, family-centered approach to online safety that Michigan voters expect from their leaders. Let's give parents the tools they need while ensuring all young people — including LGBTQ+ youth — can access the support and community they deserve.

Larry Jackson
Holland

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