Google revealed on Monday that it is amending its policy that formerly permitted minors under parental supervision via Family Link to opt-out of those settings upon reaching 13. Now, teenagers will require parental consent to handle their own accounts. This new policy will take effect worldwide this week.

Kate Charlet, Google’s head of global privacy, safety, and security, mentioned that these modifications are designed to ensure protections are in place until both the parent and teenager are prepared for the next phase.

The announcement comes in light of a viral LinkedIn post by a child safety advocate who criticized the prior policy. Melissa McKay, president of the Digital Childhood Institute, wrote the post after receiving an email regarding her 12-year-old son’s impending ability to change parental controls. She found the email ambiguous and lacking in clarity concerning the changes.

McKay, who had previously lodged a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission over Google’s youth safety practices, pointed out that the email sent to her son provided information about removing parental supervision at 13 without needing parental consent. Her email merely outlined the age criteria for Google accounts.

In her LinkedIn post, McKay described the practice as predatory. Google’s Family Link resource indicates that when children take charge of their own accounts, parents forfeit the ability to set up downtime, manage apps, or monitor transactions. Teenagers can also utilize Google Wallet and Pay, including cards added prior to turning 13.

McKay endorses the new policy but urges for additional reforms to shield children from corporate exploitation online.