The new app store age laws (Utah, Texas, Louisiana): what parents need to know

Several states now make the app stores check ages and ask a parent before a child downloads an app. It's a real step, but it covers one door out of many.

Updated November 13, 2026·2 min read

Short answer

App store accountability laws in Utah, Texas and Louisiana make Apple and Google verify a user's age and link a child's account to a parent, who must approve app downloads and purchases. They don't filter websites in a browser, what happens inside apps already installed, game consoles, smart TVs or other people's Wi-Fi, so a filter is still needed for those.

What the laws do

  • Age checks: the app stores must estimate or verify each user's age when they make an account.
  • Parent accounts: a minor's account must be linked to a parent's.
  • Parent consent: a parent approves app downloads and in‑app purchases.
  • Age ratings passed on: apps learn the user's age range from the store, so they can apply their own rules.

Utah's law took full effect in May 2026 and Louisiana's in July 2026. Texas's was paused by a court in December 2025, then allowed to take effect while the legal challenge continues. Other states are considering similar laws, so details may change.

What they don't cover

  • Websites in a browser. A child can reach adult sites, gambling and "unblocked games" in Safari or Chrome without downloading anything.
  • Inside apps you've already approved. YouTube, Roblox and Discord are fine to download and full of things you may not want.
  • Game consoles, smart TVs and computers, which mostly don't go through the phone app stores.
  • Other homes' Wi‑Fi and shared family devices.

Where a filter fits

A DNS filter like Sheepdog Filter works underneath every app and browser. It blocks adult sites, gambling, proxy and VPN sites and the categories you choose, on every device you set it up on, in any state. Think of the app store law as the front door and the filter as the walls.

  1. Use the new parent‑approval tools in Apple Family Sharing and Google Family Link; they're free.
  2. Set up Sheepdog Filter on each child's device and your home Wi‑Fi.
  3. Check your Wi‑Fi in 20 seconds with the free Wi‑Fi test.

Sheepdog Filter

The internet, childproofed in five minutes.

One switch per worry, every device in the house, and a plain-English report each week. Free to start, no app to install.

Start free

Questions parents ask

Do I live in a state with an app store law?

As of November 2026, Utah, Texas and Louisiana have them in effect. Other states are considering similar laws.

Does the law block adult websites?

No. It's about downloading apps from the App Store and Google Play. Websites in a browser need a filter.

Do I still need parental controls?

Yes. The law adds a parent approval step for app downloads, but nothing filters the web, apps you've approved, or other devices in your home.

Keep reading