Parental Consent for Children's Data Sharing: Guide

Parents, here's what you need to know about protecting your child's online privacy:

• Parental consent is required for websites to collect data from kids under 13
• Key laws: COPPA (US), GDPR-K (EU), and others worldwide
• Types of data collected: personal info, behavior, location, device details
• How to give consent: forms, credit card, video calls, ID checks
• Your rights: access data, review/delete info, opt out anytime
• Educational apps: useful but pose privacy risks
• Social media: set age limits, use parental controls, watch for risks
• Read privacy policies carefully
• Teach kids about online privacy and good behavior
• Know what to do if there's a data breach

Quick tips:

• Talk to your kids about online safety
• Check app privacy settings regularly
• Use strong, unique passwords
• Be cautious with personal information
• Stay informed about new tech and privacy issues

Key Areas	What to Do
Consent	Give permission carefully
Monitoring	Check kids' online activity
Education	Teach safe internet use
Protection	Use privacy settings, parental controls
Action	Know how to report violations

This guide covers everything you need to protect your child's data online.

Related video from YouTube

Laws Protecting Children's Data Privacy

COPPA Basics

COPPA is a U.S. law that protects children's online privacy. Here's what you need to know:

Key Points	Details
Who it affects	Websites collecting data from kids under 13
Main requirements	- Get parent's permission before collecting data - Have clear privacy policies - Keep data safe
Who enforces it	Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

COPPA says personal information includes:

Personal Information Types
Full name
Home address
Email address
Phone number
Social Security number
IP address
Location data

GDPR-K Main Points

GDPR-K is part of EU law that protects children's data. It says:

• Parents must agree before websites collect data from kids under 16 (some countries say 13)
• Websites must explain privacy rules in a way kids can understand
• Websites should only collect necessary data
• Kids can ask websites to delete their data
• Websites can't use kids' data for marketing

Other Key International Laws

Other countries have laws to protect children's data:

Country	Law	Key Points
India	Digital Personal Data Protection Act	- Parents must agree to data collection - Government agencies don't have to follow all rules
Nigeria	Data Protection Law	- New law from June 2023 - Government can be exempt - Doesn't stop websites from targeting ads to kids
Vietnam	Data Protection Policy	- Started in July 2023 - Kids over 7 and parents must agree to data collection - Parents must agree to change or delete a child's data

These laws help protect kids online, but there's still work to do to keep children's data safe around the world.

Data Types Collected from Children

Personal Information

Educational apps often collect different types of personal information from children:

Personal Information Types
Full name
Birth date
Email address
Home address
Phone number

Parents should check what data is being collected and how it will be used. Always read the app's privacy policy to understand what information is being gathered.

Behavioral Data

Apps may track how children use the application, including:

• Time spent on activities
• Learning progress
• How they use different features

This data is often used to make the learning experience better for each child. However, parents should think about the privacy issues of such detailed tracking.

Location Data

Some educational apps may ask for a child's location. This could include:

Location Data Types
GPS coordinates
Wi-Fi network information
IP address (shows general location)

Parents should think carefully about whether sharing location is needed for the app to work properly. They should weigh the good points against possible privacy risks.

Device Information

Apps often collect information about the device a child is using:

Device Information Types
Device model
Operating system version
Unique device identifiers
Browser type (for web-based apps)

This data is often used to make the app work better, but it can also help create a detailed profile of the child user.

Parents should be careful about what types of data are collected from their children's devices. They should use privacy settings to limit unnecessary data sharing. It's important to know that even small pieces of data can be put together to show a lot about a child's online activities and personal life.

How to Get Parental Consent

Getting parental consent is key for apps and websites that collect information from kids under 13. Here's how to do it right, following COPPA rules.

Ways to Check Consent

There are several ways to make sure it's really the parent giving permission:

Method	How It Works
Paper Form	Parents sign and send back by mail, fax, or scan
Online Payment	Uses a credit card, tells account owner about each charge
Video Call	Parents talk to staff on a video call
Special Questions	Ask questions only the parent would know

FTC-Approved Methods

The FTC says these ways are okay to use:

Method	Details
Paper or Electronic Form	Parents sign and return
Credit Card	Uses notices for each payment
Phone Call	Parents talk to trained staff
Video Call	Parents meet with staff online
ID Check	Parents show ID, checked against records
Face Check	Parents send photos to compare

Note: The "email plus" way only works for info used inside the company, not shared outside.

Tips for Getting Consent

To get consent the right way:

1. Tell parents clearly what info you'll collect and how you'll use it
2. Give parents different ways to say yes
3. Keep good records of who said yes
4. Make it easy for parents to give permission
5. Let parents know they can change their mind later
6. Ask again if you change how you use the info

Parent Rights and Duties

Parents have key roles in keeping their kids safe online. COPPA gives parents specific rights about their children's online data.

Accessing Child's Data

Parents can see what websites know about their kids. Websites must:

Parent Right	Website Duty
Ask to see child's data	Have a way for parents to ask
Check if data is correct	Show parents the data

Websites should have an email or form for parents to ask about their child's data.

Reviewing and Deleting Information

COPPA lets parents control their child's data. Parents can:

Action	What It Means
Look at all data	See everything collected about their child
Stop more data collection	Tell websites to stop getting new info
Delete data	Ask websites to remove their child's info

Websites must tell parents:

• What kind of data they collect
• How to stop them from getting more data
• How to see the data they have

Opting Out of Data Collection

Parents can say no to data collection at any time. This means:

Parent Right	Website Duty
Stop data collection anytime	Stop collecting when asked
Change their mind about consent	Remove child's data if asked

Websites should:

1. Explain how to opt out in their privacy policy
2. Make it easy to opt out (like an email or form)
3. Act quickly when parents ask to opt out

Educational Apps and Data Use

Educational apps help kids learn, but they also collect a lot of information. It's important for parents and teachers to know how these apps use student data.

How Apps Collect Data

Apps get student information in different ways:

Method	What It Does	Why It Matters
Sign-up	Asks for personal details	Could lead to data leaks
App Use	Tracks what students do	Creates detailed profiles
Device Info	Gets data from phones or tablets	Might affect privacy
Location	Finds out where you are	Could be unsafe for kids

Many apps also want to use cameras, microphones, and contact lists. They often collect more info than they need for teaching.

Privacy Issues in School Apps

School apps can cause privacy problems:

Issue	Details
Data Sharing	96% of K-12 school apps share kids' info with other companies
Custom Apps	School-made apps often share data with big tech companies
Extra Access	Many apps ask for location and social info they don't need

These practices can put student data at risk and create long-lasting digital records of kids.

Good and Bad Points of Educational Apps

Apps can help with learning, but they also have risks:

Good Points	Bad Points
Learning fits each student	Data might be stolen
Students enjoy learning more	Info might be shared without permission
Easy to track grades	Creates long-term online records
Lots of learning resources	Ads might target kids

What parents and teachers should do:

1. Read app privacy rules carefully
2. Only share info the app needs to teach
3. Check app settings often
4. Teach kids how to stay safe online

sbb-itb-7aa0ffe

Social Media and Child-Created Content

Age Limits on Social Media

Most social media sites say users must be at least 13 years old. This rule follows laws like COPPA in the U.S. But it's hard to check if kids are really 13 because they can lie about their age.

Parent Controls and Privacy Settings

Social media sites have tools to help parents keep kids safe online:

Tool	What it does	Why it's good
Time limits	Sets how long kids can use the app each day	Stops kids from using it too much
Content filters	Blocks bad content	Keeps kids from seeing things they shouldn't
Privacy settings	Chooses who can see what kids post	Makes kids safer online
Activity checking	Lets parents see what kids do online	Helps parents watch out for kids

Parents should learn how to use these tools and check them often as kids grow up and apps change.

Social Media Risks for Children

Social media can be good, but it can also be bad for kids:

Risk	What it means
Cyberbullying	Kids might get picked on online
Bad content	Kids might see things not okay for their age
Data collection	Apps might take too much info about kids
Online strangers	Bad people might try to trick kids
Mental health problems	Using social media too much can make kids feel sad or worried

To help keep kids safe:

• Talk to kids about what they do online
• Teach kids how to be safe online
• Check what kids do on social media
• Make sure kids do other things besides being online

Reading Privacy Policies and Terms

What to Look For

When checking app privacy policies, parents should focus on:

Area	Check For
Data Collection	What info the app gets from kids
Data Use	How the app uses and shares info
Data Safety	How the app keeps kids' info safe
Parent Rights	How to see, change, or delete kids' info
Info Sharing	If the app gives info to other companies

Look closely at parts about getting location, behavior, and device info. Make sure the app explains how it keeps kids safe and what parents can do.

Bad Signs in App Rules

Watch out for these problems in app terms:

• Unclear words about data use
• No info on how parents say yes
• No clear rules on keeping or deleting data
• App can share or sell data freely
• Few ways for parents to control things
• No mention of following COPPA (for U.S. apps)

Be careful if an app says it makes data "anonymous." Sometimes, people can still figure out who the data is about.

Help Understanding App Rules

App rules can be hard to read. Here's how to get help:

1. Look for Simple Summaries Many apps now have easy-to-read versions of their rules. Check for "Key Points" or "Summary" at the start.

2. Use Outside Reviews Common Sense Media rates how safe apps are for privacy. They give scores that are easy to understand.

3. Search for Important Words Use "Control+F" (Windows) or "Command+F" (Mac) to find words like "share," "collect," "data," and "location" in the rules.

4. Check Privacy Guides Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Future of Privacy Forum have guides to help you understand app rules.

Teaching Kids About Online Privacy

Talking to Kids About Data Sharing

Start talking to kids early about online privacy. Make it easy for them to understand by using examples they know. Tell them what's okay to share online and what's not.

Safe to Share	Keep Private
Favorite color	Home address
Hobbies	Phone number
Favorite food	School name
Pet's name	Birthdate

Let kids know they can always come to you with questions about being online. Make sure they feel safe talking to you about it.

Building Online Thinking Skills

Help kids learn to think carefully about what they see online. Teach them to:

• Ask if something looks real or fake
• Be careful about clicking links or downloading files
• Use privacy settings on apps and websites
• Make strong passwords and keep them secret

Show kids how to check and change privacy settings on social media. Explain why it's important to use different passwords for each account.

Promoting Good Online Behavior

Teach kids to be nice online, just like in real life. Talk about how what they do online can last a long time.

Good Online Habits	Why They Matter
Be kind to others	Stops mean behavior
Think before posting	Keeps a good name
Respect others' privacy	Builds trust
Tell adults about weird stuff	Keeps everyone safer

Tell kids to ask before sharing photos or info about friends and family online. This helps them be good internet users and stay safe while having fun online.

Dealing with Privacy Breaches

What to Do if Data is Exposed

If you think someone got your child's info without permission, do these things:

Step	Action
1	Make a new, strong password and log out of all devices
2	Unlink any connected accounts
3	Remove saved bank info and check for odd charges
4	Make sure account recovery email and phone are right
5	Turn on two-factor authentication if you can
6	Look for any posts or changes you didn't make

How to Report Privacy Violations

To tell someone about privacy problems:

1. Get proof: Take pictures of screens or save chat logs

2. Tell the app or website: Let them know what happened

3. Tell the FTC: For COPPA problems in the U.S., tell the Federal Trade Commission:

How to Contact FTC
Use online Complaint Assistant
Call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
Go to http://www.ftc.gov/complaint

4. Call the police: If someone is threatening your child online, tell the police

Helping Kids After Privacy Issues

To help your child after someone gets their info:

What to Do	Why It Helps
Stay calm and listen	Makes your child feel safe to talk
Check privacy settings together	Teaches better online safety
Watch your child's online activity	Keeps them safer
Give comfort and support	Helps your child feel better
Talk about what happened	Helps prevent future problems

Future of Children's Data Privacy

New Technologies

As AI and smart devices become more common in kids' lives, new privacy issues are coming up. AI toys and learning apps collect lots of data, often without telling people clearly. To fix this:

• Rule-makers need to create guidelines for AI in kids' products
• Companies should build privacy into new tech from the start
• Parents need to learn about new tech their kids use

Possible Law Changes

As tech changes, kids' privacy laws need updates:

Change	Why
Make COPPA cover more	Protect more types of data
Raise age limits	Keep older kids (13-16) safe too
Tougher rules for saying yes	Make sure parents really know what's happening
Check privacy risks first	Look for problems before selling new products

These changes aim to keep kids' data safer in today's digital world.

Making Privacy Better

To protect kids' data better:

1. Teach about tech: Show kids and parents how to stay safe online

2. Companies set rules: Encourage businesses to make stronger privacy rules

3. New privacy tools: Make tools that collect less data

4. Kid-friendly design: Create apps that help kids manage their own privacy

Conclusion

Main Points to Remember

Keeping kids safe online needs everyone to work together:

1. Talk Often: Keep talking with your kids about staying safe online.

2. Teach Kids: Show them how to protect their info and spot online dangers.

3. Check Settings: Look at privacy settings on kids' apps often.

4. Use Parent Tools: Set up software to watch what kids do online and block bad content.

5. Make Good Passwords: Help kids make strong, different passwords for each account. Use two-step login when you can.

Do This	Why It Helps
Share less personal info	Keeps info safer
Pick apps that protect privacy	Stops too much data collection
Don't use public Wi-Fi	Stops hackers
Keep apps up to date	Gets latest safety features

Watching Out for Privacy Problems

To stay on top of kids' online safety:

1. Read Good News: Check trusted online safety websites.

2. Talk to Other Parents: Share what you know about online dangers.

3. Read App Rules: Look at privacy rules for kids' apps often.

4. Go to Safety Classes: Learn new ways to keep kids safe online.

5. Learn About New Tech: As new gadgets come out, learn how to keep them safe.

FAQs

Does COPPA require parental consent?

Yes, COPPA usually needs parents to say yes before getting info from kids under 13. But there are some cases where it's not needed:

When consent isn't needed	What it means
One-time contact	For things like entering a contest
Multiple contacts	Can get child's and parent's online info
Safety worries	Can get name and contact info to keep a child safe
Website needs	Can get info to check who's using the site

If a website finds out later that a user is under 13, they still need to follow COPPA rules, even if the child wasn't supposed to use the site.

How do you write parental consent?

To write a letter saying you agree as a parent:

1. Use a form or write your own short letter
2. Put in these details:
   • Child's full name and when they were born
   • What you're saying yes to
   • How long you're saying yes for
3. Save the letter as a PDF
4. Sign it on the computer
5. Email the signed PDF to the right person

What to include	Why it's important
Child's name and birthday	Shows which child it's for
What you're agreeing to	Makes it clear what's okay
How long it lasts	Sets a time limit
Your signature	Proves you agreed