Empower your child with critical conversations about data privacy before they participate in online research studies.
# Online Safety Talks: Protecting Kids in Research
Empower your child with critical conversations about data privacy before they participate in online research studies.
Why These Conversations Matter
Congress created COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) recognizing that 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 your child participates in research, they're sharing personal data with companies and researchers—making informed conversations essential.
Research has shown children did not understand privacy risks and were typically very naïve about the dangers of sharing personal information online. Your role as a parent is to bridge this knowledge gap before they click "agree" on any research study.
Understanding What Data Gets Collected
Before your child joins any research study, you need to understand what information researchers will gather. Key COPPA requirements include verifiable parental consent, transparent privacy policies that outline how children's data will be collected, used, and protected, and data minimization—collecting only information necessary for the study.
Parents should talk to their kids about how the internet collects data they may not mean to share, how that data is used by companies, and what steps they can take to protect themselves. Ask researchers directly: What information will my child provide? How long will it be stored? Who else can access it?
Teaching Critical Thinking About Online Requests
Check the terms and conditions about data collection and use, and show your child how to check the privacy settings on apps. Make this a hands-on lesson. Walk through the research consent form together and discuss what information seems reasonable versus excessive.
Ensure your child is aware of how their personal data might be collected—whether they're on YouTube or playing on an app. Use real examples: "This app wants your location. Why do you think they need that?" This builds their ability to question requests independently.
Parents and other adults exert a powerful influence on how children engage with online experiences, and adults need to monitor children's online usage and foster open communication with them about their online interactions.
Some children may prefer to chat in other ways they're more comfortable with—this might include sending messages over an app, writing notes, or recording audio messages. Try to find a time that is convenient for both of you, and if you can't talk immediately, make it clear you are interested and wish to discuss it at another time.
Age-Appropriate Guidance
For younger children (ages 6–8), keep it simple: Limit screen time and online interactions, and when allowing them to use digital devices, partner and spend time with them in interactive ways rather than leaving them alone. This practice helps young children learn to talk with adults about online interactions.
For older children and teens, go deeper. Talk to pre-teens about how social media works, how content is chosen for them, and why it's designed to get their attention. For teenagers, show them how digital ads track them, how AI changes what they see, and why echo chambers form.
Your Role in the Consent Process
Because a child cannot legally provide consent for research on their own behalf, permission by at least one parent or legal guardian is required before a minor is enrolled in a research study. This is your legal responsibility and your opportunity to protect your child.
Provide mechanisms for parents to review their child's personal information, request its deletion, and refuse further collection or use. Before signing any consent form, exercise these rights. Ask to see what data will be collected and verify you can request deletion afterward.
Key Takeaways
Only information necessary for the study should be collected.
Ask researchers for a clear privacy policy in writing.
Discuss the research with your child before enrollment.
Model healthy skepticism about data requests.
Maintain open, judgment-free conversations about their online experiences.
Your involvement in these conversations teaches your child that their privacy has value—a lesson that will protect them far beyond any single research study.
Sources
[CITI Program: Ensuring Compliance with COPPA in Research](https://about.citiprogram.org/blog/ensuring-compliance-with-coppa-in-research/)
[Federal Trade Commission: Complying with COPPA - Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-coppa-frequently-asked-questions)
[TrustArc: COPPA FAQ](https://trustarc.com/resource/coppa-protecting-childrens-privacy-online/)
[Children and Screens: Privacy, Please - Tips to Protect Your Family's Online Privacy](https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/privacy-please-tips-to-protect-your-familys-online-privacy/)
[Raising Children Network: Online Safety for Children 6-8 Years](https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/media-technology/online-safety/internet-safety-6-8-years)
[NDSU Agriculture Extension: Talking to Children About Online Safety](https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/talking-children-about-online-safety)
[SafeWise: A Guide to Internet Safety for Kids in 2026](https://www.safewise.com/resources/internet-safety-kids/)
[UC Merced Research Compliance: Research with Minors](https://rci.ucmerced.edu/irb/researchers/research-vulnerable-populations/research-minors)
[NCBI: Ethical Issues in Using the Internet to Engage Participants in Family and Child Research](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6160098/)
