Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

Definition

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1998 that protects the privacy of children under 13 by requiring websites and online services to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from them. This law aims to ensure that children’s data is handled responsibly and to provide parents with control over what information is collected about their children online.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. COPPA was implemented to combat the growing concerns about children's safety online as the internet became more accessible in the late 1990s.
2. Websites that fail to comply with COPPA can face significant penalties, including fines up to $43,280 per violation.
3. COPPA requires operators of websites directed at children to provide clear privacy policies that explain their data collection practices.
4. The act mandates that parents have the right to review and delete their child's personal information collected online.
5. COPPA applies not only to commercial websites but also to any online service directed toward children, including games and educational platforms.

Review Questions

• How does the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act influence the way websites collect data from children?
  • The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act requires websites that collect data from children under 13 to obtain verifiable parental consent before gathering personal information. This means that websites must implement processes to ensure they have permission from a parent or guardian before any data collection takes place. Additionally, these websites must have a clear privacy policy explaining their practices regarding children's information, which impacts how they design their data collection methods.
• Discuss the consequences that websites may face if they do not comply with COPPA regulations regarding children's data.
  • If websites fail to comply with COPPA regulations, they may face severe penalties such as hefty fines that can reach up to $43,280 for each violation. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to legal action by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and damage a company's reputation. This can discourage users from engaging with the site and result in loss of trust among parents who are concerned about their children's privacy and safety online.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of COPPA in today's digital landscape where children frequently access various online platforms.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of COPPA today reveals both successes and challenges. On one hand, COPPA has raised awareness about children's online privacy and has established important guidelines for how companies handle data collection from minors. However, with the rise of mobile apps and social media platforms that often skirt these regulations, enforcing compliance remains a challenge. The effectiveness of COPPA also hinges on parents' understanding of their rights under the law and their ability to monitor their children's online activities, indicating that while the law provides a framework for protection, ongoing education and adaptation are essential in addressing evolving digital trends.

Related terms

Parental Consent: The requirement under COPPA for websites to obtain permission from a child's parent or guardian before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children.

Personal Information: Any data that can be used to identify an individual, including names, email addresses, and other details that could be linked to a child.

Online Services: Any digital platform, including websites and mobile apps, that are directed towards children or likely to collect information from them.