Defending Ideas

Who should protect kids online? | Joel Thayer & Chris Marchese

May 19, 2026·57 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

As lawmakers debate how to protect children online, a major legal and constitutional question is emerging: should app stores be required to verify users’ ages and involve parents before minors download apps? On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn is joined by Joel Thayer, president of the Digital Progress Institute, Chris Marchese, founder and co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, and Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan for a thoughtful discussion about parental rights, free speech, consumer protection, and the growing debate over App Store accountability laws. Their conversation explores the tension between protecting children online and preserving constitutional freedoms in the digital age.Show notes:Why states are right on app store age lawsThe case for app store age verification to protect kids onlineFAQ: Utah’s app store age verification billApp store regulations are necessary, constitutional, and popularA deeper look at Utah voters’ support for requiring app stores to verify ageCongress should follow Utah’s lead on protecting kids online with app store lawDefending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

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