COPPA is a law that protects kids under 13 online by requiring websites to ask parents before collecting personal information.
# What Is COPPA? Why Your Parent Says Yes Online
What Does COPPA Mean?
COPPA stands for the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, a U.S. federal law that became effective on April 21, 2000. Think of it as a rule book for websites and apps to keep kids safe online.
COPPA gives parents control over what information websites can collect from their kids. It's like a permission slip—websites can't collect your personal information without your parent saying "yes" first.
Who Does COPPA Protect?
COPPA protects children under the age of 13. If you're 12 or younger and using websites or apps, this law is working to keep your information safe.
What Information Does COPPA Protect?
Your "personal information" includes things that can identify you, like:
Your name, email address, phone number, home address, photos, videos, and audio recordings
Your location (where you are)
Information about what you do online
Why Do Websites Need Your Parent's Permission?
COPPA was passed to stop the rapid growth of online marketing techniques targeting children. Various websites were collecting personal data from kids without parents' knowledge or consent.
Congress created COPPA because younger children are particularly vulnerable to overreaching by marketers and may not understand the safety and privacy issues created by online collection of personal information.
How Does Your Parent Give Permission?
Websites must use methods that are reasonably calculated to ensure the person giving permission is actually your parent. Acceptable methods include signed consent forms, credit card verification, phone calls with trained staff, or video calls with your parent.
Answer security questions to prove they're your parent
What Happens If Websites Break the Rules?
The Federal Trade Commission and State Attorneys General enforce COPPA. State Attorneys General can seek injunctive relief and damages on behalf of residents.
Why Should You Care?
Your personal information is valuable and private. Studies have shown that data taken from children has been provided to third-party advertising, which leads to promoting content that encourages impulse spending or promotes unhealthy products.
COPPA helps make sure:
Companies ask permission before collecting your info
Your parents know what's happening with your data
Websites keep your information safe and secure
What Should You Do?
When a website asks for your information:
Tell your parent – Let them know what information is being asked for
Wait for permission – Don't give information without your parent saying it's okay
Ask questions – If you're not sure why a website needs your info, ask an adult
Remember
The primary goal of COPPA is to place parents in control over what information is collected from their young children online. Your parent's "yes" isn't just a rule—it's protection for you!
