Why COPPA Is Important

Everyone · Explainer · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What is COPPA in plain words?

COPPA stands for the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, a U.S. federal law designed to protect the online privacy of children under 13 years old. In simple terms, it means that websites, apps, and online services must follow strict rules about collecting, using, or sharing personal information from young children. The law requires these services to tell parents what information they collect, how it’s used, and get parental consent before collecting any data from kids. COPPA aims to keep children safe from online tracking, unwanted marketing, and potential exploitation by restricting how companies handle children's online information. You can learn more about the official definition and scope of COPPA in What COPPA Stands For and COPPA Explained: Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

How does COPPA work? A clear example

COPPA works by imposing rules on websites and apps directed to children or that knowingly collect data from children under 13. For example, imagine a free educational app designed for kids age 8 to 12. Before the app can collect a child's name, email, or browsing habits, it must:

1. Display a clear privacy notice explaining what data it collects and why.
2. Obtain verifiable parental consent, such as a parent providing an email confirmation or credit card authorization.
3. Give parents the right to review or delete their child’s information.
4. Keep the information secure and not share it with third parties without permission.

If the app doesn't follow these steps, it can face legal penalties and fines. This ensures the child's information isn't collected or used without parents' knowledge. The process helps parents stay in control and protects children from unwanted data collection or marketing. For more practical examples, check out Examples of COPPA in Action.

Why does COPPA matter for you and your family?

COPPA matters because children are especially vulnerable online. Kids often don’t understand the risks of sharing their personal information or how data can be used to target ads, influence behavior, or even expose them to scams. For parents and guardians, COPPA provides a legal way to protect their child’s privacy and digital safety. It limits how companies can collect data and ensures parents stay informed and in control.

For educators and website owners, COPPA highlights the responsibility to respect children's privacy and avoid legal trouble by following strict rules. Even if you don’t have children, understanding COPPA can help you recognize what companies should and shouldn’t do when kids use their platforms. This knowledge is useful for protecting younger relatives or advocating for safer online environments.

What terms do people often confuse with COPPA?

People sometimes confuse COPPA with other privacy laws or internet regulations:

• GDPR-K (General Data Protection Regulation - Kids): This is a European Union rule about children's data privacy, similar to COPPA but more complex and broader in scope.
• FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act): This protects educational records in schools but does not govern general online behavior.
• Children’s Privacy Policies: Some websites have privacy policies mentioning children but may not be COPPA-compliant.
• Terms and Conditions: These govern overall website use but don’t specifically address children’s data privacy like COPPA does.

Understanding these differences helps you recognize when COPPA applies and when other laws might be relevant, especially if a website is international or school-related. For related concepts, see Why Terms and Conditions Are Important.

What should website owners and app developers do to comply?

If you own a website or app that children under 13 might use, compliance with COPPA is essential. Here’s a checklist:

• Determine if your site or service is directed at children or if you knowingly collect data from kids under 13.
• Create a clear, easy-to-understand privacy policy about children’s data.
• Implement a method to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information.
• Provide parents access to their child’s information for review or deletion.
• Maintain safeguards to protect children’s data from unauthorized access or sharing.
• Avoid conditioning participation in games, contests, or activities on providing more information than necessary.

Following these steps helps avoid fines and builds trust with users. Many websites include parental consent forms or email verification processes to meet these rules. For a detailed guide, see COPPA Rules Every Website Should Know.

What if a site or app breaks COPPA rules?

If a website or service breaks COPPA, the Federal Trade Commission can investigate and impose penalties, including fines. Parents can also report violations to the FTC. Enforcement actions often require companies to change their practices, delete unlawfully collected data, and pay fines.

For parents, if you suspect a website is not following COPPA, you can:

• Review the site’s privacy policy for compliance.
• Contact the site to request your child’s data be deleted.
• Report the violation to the FTC via their consumer complaint portal.

Legal consequences encourage companies to follow COPPA strictly, protecting children’s privacy and discouraging careless data collection. More details about enforcement can be found in Common Questions and Answers About COPPA.

What should you do next to protect your child’s online privacy?

To protect your child’s privacy under COPPA and beyond, take these practical steps:

1. Educate yourself about the websites and apps your child uses.
2. Read privacy policies carefully to check for COPPA compliance.
3. Use parental controls and monitoring tools to manage what your child accesses online.
4. Talk with your child about the importance of not sharing personal information.
5. When required, provide verifiable parental consent thoughtfully and only for trusted services.
6. Report any suspicious or non-compliant websites to authorities.

By staying informed and involved, you help create a safer digital environment for children. For an introduction to protecting kids online, see COPPA Explained Simply for Beginners and What Is COPPA and What It Means for Kids.

Frequently asked questions

Does COPPA apply outside the United States?

COPPA is a U.S. federal law and applies to websites and services directed to children in the United States or that knowingly collect data from children in the U.S. Other countries have their own laws, like GDPR-K in Europe. International websites serving U.S. children must comply with COPPA.

What kinds of information does COPPA protect?

COPPA protects personal information like a child’s name, address, phone number, email, social security number, photos, videos, geolocation data, and even persistent identifiers like IP addresses that can track online activity.

Can parents withdraw consent once given under COPPA?

Yes, parents have the right to review their child’s data and revoke consent at any time. Websites must allow parents to delete their child’s information and stop further data collection.

How do websites verify parental consent under COPPA?

Verification methods include requiring parents to sign forms, use credit card transactions, call a phone number, or provide government-issued ID. The goal is to ensure the person giving consent is a parent or guardian.

Are there penalties for companies that violate COPPA?

Yes, the FTC can impose significant fines and require corrective actions. Companies found violating COPPA may have to delete collected data and improve their privacy practices to comply with the law.