At Plumaje, we work every day to support LGBTQ+ individuals and families across Arizona. One reality we’ve learned to navigate is that for many young LGBTQ+ people, online spaces provide something they often can’t find in their immediate communities: acceptance, resources, and community with others who share their experiences.
Arizona’s landscape presents unique challenges for LGBTQ+ youth. A teenager questioning their identity in Flagstaff might not have access to in-person support groups. In some of the most rural communities of Arizona, it can be very lonely coming out as LGBTQ+. For these young people, digital platforms often serve as the bridge between isolation and community—providing access to mental health resources, peer support networks, and educational content that helps them understand themselves and build resilience.
But we also understand parents’ concerns about online safety. Families want to protect their children from cyberbullying, harmful content, and platforms that might negatively impact mental health. The challenge is finding approaches that address these legitimate worries without cutting LGBTQ+ youth off from the digital communities that often keep them thriving.
The App Store Accountability Act represents exactly what our community needs—careful policy that addresses safety concerns without restricting access to vital resources. Rather than restricting content or requiring invasive monitoring, it focuses on creating transparency between parents and teens about which platforms are safe for young people to access.
Here’s why this approach works particularly well for LGBTQ+ families: When a teenager wants to download a social media app, their parent receives a notification and can approve or deny the request. Once approved, the young person has privacy in how they use that platform. Parents stay informed about the broad strokes of their child’s digital life without gaining access to private conversations, support group discussions, or personal exploration—and that’s it.
This distinction matters enormously for LGBTQ+ youth, whose journey of self-discovery often requires some privacy even within loving, supportive families. The alternative approaches we’ve seen proposed in various states create serious risks for our community. Content filtering systems that might block LGBTQ+ resources as “controversial” or “adult content.” Age verification requirements that could inadvertently out young people to their families before they’re ready to share that information. Broad restrictions that treat all social media as inherently dangerous, ignoring the reality that these platforms provide essential support for many LGBTQ+ teens.
Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community includes young people in various family situations. Some have fully accepting parents who just want basic awareness of their teen’s online activities. Others live in households where family members are still learning about LGBTQ+ identities and need time to process and grow. Still others face rejection or hostility that makes online communities even more crucial for their mental health and safety.
The App Store Accountability Act works for all these different family dynamics. It creates opportunities for positive conversations between parents and teens about digital choices without forcing disclosure of private information. It encourages family communication while preserving the privacy that allows young people to explore their identity safely.
Arizona has always been home to diverse communities, and our state’s LGBTQ+ families deserve policies that support their unique needs while addressing legitimate safety concerns. The App Store Accountability Act provides exactly this kind of thoughtful, balanced approach.
We encourage our state’s leaders in Washington to support this legislation. LGBTQ+ young people deserve to grow up in a world where they can safely connect online. The App Store Accountability Act helps make that possible.
Author: Guillermo Ontiveros, President & CEO of Plumaje.
Plumaje is a 501C3 that focuses on educating families on mental health issues. Providing fellowships to adults who want to learn different mechanisms to maintain a healthy mental state.
