COPPA activities list

Teachers & homeschoolers · Activities · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What is a simple way to introduce COPPA to young learners?

Age/Grade: Grades 2-4 Time Needed: 20-30 minutes Materials: Chart paper, markers, printed COPPA key terms (like "privacy," "parental consent," "data")

Steps:

1. Write the word COPPA on the chart paper and ask if anyone has heard of it.
2. Explain in simple terms that COPPA protects kids when they use websites and apps by making sure companies ask parents before collecting information.
3. Show the key terms and ask students what they think each one means.
4. Create a group chart defining each key term in kid-friendly language.

Skill Built:

Basic understanding of online privacy and children’s rights online.

Debrief:

Ask students why they think it’s important for websites to ask parents before collecting information. Discuss what could happen if no one asked for permission.

Adaptation:

At home, parents can use examples from their own phone or computer apps to explain privacy settings and ask the child to identify where the app might ask for permission.

How can students identify personal information that should be protected?

Age/Grade: Grades 3-6 Time Needed: 30-40 minutes Materials: Worksheet with examples of personal and non-personal information, scissors, glue, two large sheets labeled "Safe to Share" and "Keep Private"

Steps:

1. Distribute worksheets with various information types (e.g., full name, favorite color, home address, pet’s name).
2. Have students cut out each item and decide if it is safe to share online or should be kept private.
3. Students glue items on the correct sheet.
4. Discuss why some information is private and why COPPA requires parental consent to share it.

Skill Built:

Critical thinking about online safety and privacy awareness.

Debrief:

Engage students in explaining their choices. Highlight examples that are clearly private and why sharing them can be risky.

Adaptation:

At home, parents can turn this into a conversation during screen time, asking children to point out personal details on a website or app and decide if it’s okay to share.

What role play activities can help students understand parental consent under COPPA?

Age/Grade: Grades 4-7 Time Needed: 40 minutes Materials: Role cards (child, parent, website operator), consent form template

Steps:

1. Assign roles to students: child wanting to sign up for a site, parent giving consent, and website operator collecting data.
2. Provide a simple consent form for the parent to review.
3. Have students act out the process of asking for and giving permission before the child can use the site.
4. After the role play, discuss why parental consent is a key part of COPPA.

Skill Built:

Understanding legal consent and communication skills.

Debrief:

Ask students how it felt to ask for permission and why it might be important. Discuss how companies must follow these rules to protect children.

Adaptation:

At home, parents can do this activity with their child before signing up for any new app or website that requests personal information.

How can a game help teach about collecting and protecting data?

Age/Grade: Grades 5-8 Time Needed: 45 minutes Materials: Index cards, pens, envelopes, a small prize

Steps:

1. Write types of personal data on index cards (name, birthday, email, etc.).
2. Place cards face down on a table.
3. Students take turns drawing cards and deciding if they would share that info with a website.
4. If they choose to share, they place the card in an envelope labeled “Shared Data.” If not, it goes in “Private Data.”
5. At the end, discuss what kinds of data were shared and what risks might come with it.

Skill Built:

Decision-making and understanding data privacy.

Debrief:

Discuss why some data should never be shared and how COPPA helps protect that. Talk about the consequences of oversharing online.

Adaptation:

At home, parents can play this game with the child using examples from apps they use or sites they visit.

What writing activity can help students reflect on online privacy?

Age/Grade: Grades 6-8 Time Needed: 30 minutes Materials: Writing paper or digital device

Steps:

1. Prompt students to write a short letter to a website operator explaining why protecting children's privacy is important.
2. Encourage them to use examples like why they wouldn’t want their address shared or who should be allowed to see their photos.
3. Collect some letters to read aloud and discuss.

Skill Built:

Critical thinking, writing skills, and empathy toward privacy rights.

Debrief:

Discuss how writing helps clarify thoughts and how adults use letters or emails to ask for changes or explain concerns, relating to online privacy requests.

Adaptation:

At home, parents can guide children to write a letter or email to a website or app company together, talking through their concerns.

How can a digital scavenger hunt teach about COPPA compliance on websites?

Age/Grade: Grades 7-9 Time Needed: 60 minutes Materials: Internet-enabled device, scavenger hunt checklist

Steps:

1. Provide students with a checklist of COPPA compliance features to find on children’s websites (e.g., parental consent notices, privacy policies, no tracking of personal info).
2. Have students visit websites and note which features they find.
3. Discuss how these features protect children and how to spot trustworthy sites.

Skill Built:

Research skills, understanding legal requirements on websites.

Debrief:

Ask students what surprised them about what some websites do or don’t do. Discuss how consumers can stay informed and safe online.

Adaptation:

At home, parents and children can check websites together before signing up or using them, reinforcing online privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What ages does COPPA protect?

COPPA generally protects children under 13 years old by requiring websites and online services to obtain parental consent before collecting personal data from them. This federal protection aims to keep younger children’s online information private and secure.

Can parents give consent for multiple websites at once?

No, parents typically must provide consent separately for each website or app collecting their child’s data. Each site must comply with COPPA’s requirements individually to ensure proper protection and transparency.

How can teachers explain COPPA’s importance without overwhelming students?

Teachers can focus on practical examples of privacy, such as why kids shouldn’t share their home address or phone number online without asking a parent first. Using relatable scenarios and interactive activities makes the concept accessible.

What should homeschoolers do if they use online platforms?

Homeschool families should review the COPPA policies of any websites or apps used for learning and ensure parental controls and consent options are set up. Teaching children about privacy rights helps them navigate these environments safely.

Is COPPA the same in every state?

COPPA is a federal law, so it applies uniformly across all states. However, some states may have additional privacy laws that provide further protections, so it’s helpful to check local regulations as well.

Where can educators find official COPPA resources?

Educators can access COPPA guidelines and educational materials from the Federal Trade Commission’s website and related legal literacy platforms. Lessons and compliance checklists can help plan instruction effectively.