COPPA: Why Your Parent Has to Say Yes Online
Learn what COPPA means and why your parent's permission is important for keeping you safe online.
# COPPA: Why Your Parent Has to Say Yes Online
COPPA gives parents control over what information websites can collect from their kids. Here's what you need to know!
What Does COPPA Mean?
COPPA is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, a United States federal law that applies to the online collection of personal information from children under 13 years of age. Think of it as a rule that protects kids like you when you're online.
Why Do Websites Need Your Parent's Permission?
Congress decided to protect children under 13 because younger children are particularly vulnerable to overreaching by marketers and may not understand the safety and privacy issues created by the online collection of personal information.
When you sign up for an app, game, or website, companies want to collect information about you—like your name, email, or what you like to do. COPPA gives parents control over what information websites can collect from their kids. Your parent needs to say "yes" first!
What Information Needs Permission?
Personal information includes things like a persistent identifier that recognizes you over time, photos or videos with your face or voice, location information, or information about you combined with your name or email.
How Do Parents Give Permission?
Parents can give permission using knowledge-based authentication (special questions only a parent could answer), photo identification matched to a government ID (which gets deleted right after), or text message verification. Parents can also use a credit card, call a toll-free number with trained staff, or answer security questions.
What Happens If Websites Don't Follow COPPA?
Courts may fine violators of COPPA up to $53,088 in civil penalties for each violation. For example, YouTube was fined $170 million for tracking browsing activities on children's channels without getting parental consent.