What COPPA Laws Cover
Short answer
COPPA laws, or the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, are U.S. federal rules designed to protect children under 13 by regulating how websites and online services collect, use, and share their personal information. These laws require parental consent before data collection and set standards for privacy practices to keep children safer online.
What is COPPA in simple terms?
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. law created to protect the privacy of children under 13 when they use websites, apps, or other online services. It restricts how operators collect, use, and disclose personal information from kids unless they have permission from a parent or guardian. Personal information can include a child’s name, address, email, photos, videos, or any unique identifier like device IDs or cookies. COPPA applies mainly to websites or online services that are aimed at children or knowingly collect information from children under 13. For example, a website hosting online games for kids must follow COPPA rules. Even if a site is for a general audience but collects data from children under 13, it still must comply.
In plain language, COPPA ensures companies must be transparent about their data practices with clear privacy policies and must get parental consent before collecting children’s information. It also requires these companies to keep kids’ data safe and give parents control over it. COPPA’s main goal is to protect children’s privacy and prevent misuse of their data in the digital world.
How does COPPA work in practice?
Imagine an app called “KidQuest” made for children ages 6 to 12. When a child wants to sign up, KidQuest asks for their name and email address. Under COPPA, before collecting this information, KidQuest must get verifiable parental consent. This means KidQuest might send a consent form to the parent’s email address or require a phone call to confirm permission. Only after the parent agrees can KidQuest collect and use the child’s personal information.
KidQuest must also have a clear privacy policy that explains what data they collect, why, how it will be used, and whether it will be shared. For example, the policy might say: “We collect your child’s name and email to create their profile and send occasional newsletters. We do not share this information with advertisers.” KidQuest must also give parents access to their child’s information and allow them to delete it if they want.
If KidQuest doesn’t follow these rules—like collecting data without parental consent or failing to keep it secure—it can face legal consequences from government regulators. This example shows how COPPA sets a step-by-step process to protect children’s privacy and give parents control over their kids’ online data.
Why should adults care about COPPA laws?
COPPA matters to adults for several reasons. If you are a parent or guardian, COPPA gives you legal rights to protect your child’s personal information online. It ensures that websites and apps cannot collect or use your child’s data without your permission. This helps you make informed decisions about which digital services your child can safely use.
If you run a business or website, knowing COPPA is crucial to avoid legal risks and maintain user trust. Many companies have faced penalties for not following COPPA, which can include fines and damage to their reputation. Being aware of and following COPPA rules helps you legally collect data and build trust with families.
Educators and caregivers also benefit from understanding COPPA. When recommending online tools or resources, you can verify whether they respect children’s privacy and comply with the law. This contributes to a safer learning environment.
Additionally, COPPA highlights the importance of privacy and responsible data collection in the digital age. It reminds adults that children deserve special protections online, and adults have a role in enforcing those protections.
What other privacy laws or terms do people confuse with COPPA?
Sometimes COPPA is mixed up with other laws or concepts related to privacy and children’s safety online. Here are some common ones to understand:
- GDPR-K (General Data Protection Regulation – Kids provision): This European Union regulation includes special protections for children’s data, often requiring parental consent for users under a certain age (which varies by country, commonly 16 or lower). Unlike COPPA, it applies internationally and covers a wider age range.
- FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act): This U.S. law protects students’ educational records held by schools and does not regulate general online data or marketing practices.
- CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act): This law requires schools and libraries to block harmful online content but does not address data collection or privacy.
- Privacy Policies and Terms of Service: These are agreements users accept when using websites or apps. While related, they do not replace legal requirements like COPPA’s parental consent or data security rules.
Understanding these differences clarifies that COPPA specifically governs how children’s personal information is collected and used online by certain websites or services in the U.S.
What specific steps must websites and app developers take to comply with COPPA?
If you operate an online service that collects data from children under 13, here are clear steps to comply with COPPA:
- Create and display a clear privacy policy: This policy must explain what personal information you collect from children, why you collect it, how you use or share it, and how parents can review or delete their child’s data. For example, it might say: “We collect your child’s first name and birthday to personalize their experience. We do not share this information with advertisers.”
- Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting data: Use methods like sending consent forms to parents’ emails, requiring credit card authorization, or confirming by phone. This ensures the person giving consent is indeed the child’s parent or guardian.
- Provide parents with access to their child’s information: Allow parents to review, update, or delete their child’s personal data upon request.
- Limit data collection: Only collect information essential for the activity or service. For example, if a child is only signing up for a game, do not ask for their home address unless necessary.
- Keep children’s data secure: Use encryption and other security measures to protect data from unauthorized access or breaches.
- Delete data as requested by parents or when no longer needed: If a parent asks for their child’s data deletion, act promptly to remove it from your files.
- Avoid conditioning participation on unnecessary data collection: Don’t require children to provide more personal information than needed to take part in an activity.
By following these steps, websites and apps respect children’s privacy and comply with federal law, reducing legal risks and building trust with families.
How can parents actively protect their children under COPPA?
Parents can take several practical actions to protect their children’s online privacy using COPPA as a guide:
- Check for COPPA compliance before allowing sign-ups: Look for a website or app’s privacy policy mentioning COPPA compliance and parental consent procedures.
- Use parental controls on devices: Many smartphones, tablets, and browsers offer settings to limit what children can access or share online. Activate these controls to reduce risks.
- Talk openly with your child about online privacy: Teach them not to share personal details like full names, phone numbers, or addresses without your permission.
- Regularly review your child’s online activities: Know what websites or apps they use and discuss any new online services they want to join.
- Contact the website or the Federal Trade Commission if you suspect violations: Report websites or apps collecting data without proper consent or failing to protect your child’s information.
- Stay informed about online safety tools and privacy updates: New tools and rules may help you protect your family better as technology evolves.
Being proactive and involved helps parents use COPPA not just as a law but as a practical tool for keeping children safe online.
Where can you find reliable information and help about COPPA?
For accurate and up-to-date information about COPPA, use trusted resources such as:
- The Federal Trade Commission website: The FTC enforces COPPA and provides detailed guidance, FAQs, and tools for parents, educators, and website operators.
- USA.gov: Offers clear summaries and practical advice about COPPA tailored to everyday users.
- LawHelp.org: Connects individuals with legal aid and resources if they need help understanding or addressing COPPA-related issues.
- Legal Services Corporation: Provides access to low-cost or free legal assistance for families or small businesses facing privacy law questions.
If you operate a website or app, reviewing articles such as Understanding COPPA Law or COPPA Compliance Requirements for Websites can help you better implement the necessary steps. For parents, What COPPA Is and Why It Matters provides useful information to understand their rights and protections.
Frequently asked questions
Does COPPA apply to teenagers over 13?
No. COPPA’s protections apply only to children under 13. Once a child turns 13, websites may collect data without parental consent, though other privacy laws may still apply.
What kinds of personal information does COPPA protect?
COPPA protects information such as names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, photos, videos, audio files, geolocation, and persistent identifiers like cookies or device IDs.
Can parents ask a website to delete their child’s data?
Yes. Parents have the right to review and request deletion of their child’s personal information collected by websites or online services.
What happens if a company violates COPPA?
The Federal Trade Commission can take enforcement actions, including fines, against companies that break COPPA rules. Violations can also harm a company’s reputation.
How can educators use COPPA to protect students?
Educators can ensure that online learning tools comply with COPPA before recommending them, teach students about online privacy, and encourage safe digital habits.
Is COPPA the same as general online privacy laws?
No. COPPA specifically protects children under 13’s personal information. Other privacy laws cover broader groups or different types of data.