A Parent's Briefing on Online Privacy Protection Rules and Internet Safety

In 1998, Congress passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a federal law that ensures that websites and online services don't collect, use, or share personal details from kids under 13. That includes things like names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, pictures, videos, and audio files. For any site or service specifically designed for children or knowingly gathering personal details from children, it is a requirement to publish a privacy policy, inform parents about the site's details-collecting practices, and get parents' consent before applying or sharing children's personal details. The privacy policy must explain how the site or online service collects, uses, and discloses children's personal details, and it must include details on how parents can review and remove their child's personal details. Moreover, COPPA gives parents the right to stop any further use or collection of their child's personal details online.

• COPPA applies to websites and other online services that are aimed at children under 13 along with any site or online service that knows that it's collecting personal details from children under 13.
• Operators who don't comply with COPPA can be fined up to $46,517 per violation.
• Online privacy protection is more than just a legal requirement; it's a human right.
• Protecting children's online privacy is not only about preventing harm but also about empowering children to exercise their rights and engage in the digital world.

While COPPA gives websites a responsibility to try to protect kids online, parents also need to take action on their end to keep their kids safe. Among the most key things parents can do is to arrange parental controls on their children's devices. These tools can give parents the ability to restrict access to specific websites and content along with monitor their children's online activity and limit the amount of time they spend online. Parents also need to teach their kids ways to keep themselves safe online. It's crucial to open up a dialogue about the potential dangers of the Internet, including cyberbullying, identity theft, and online predators, and set rules governing children's online activity. For instance, kids should keep their personal details private, only talk online with people they know in real life, avoid posting anything online that they wouldn't want the whole world to be able to see forever, not download anything from the Internet without checking with a parent first, and always tell an adult if something they see online makes them uncomfortable.

• Children are particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying and online predators because they tend to be unaware of the consequences of their actions and share too much personal details.
• About 80% of children in 25 countries say they feel at risk of being sexually exploited or abused online.
• Parental control applications and tracking software can be very useful in protecting children from online threats like cyberbullying, sexting, harassment, and invasion of privacy.

Extra Internet Safety Resources

• A Parent's Briefing on Help Kids Socialize Safely Online
• Parents' Briefing on Internet Safety
• A Parent's Briefing on Cybersafe Kids
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998
• Internet Safety Briefing for Parents
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Act Handbook
• Family Briefing on Students and Social Media
• Tips for Protecting Children's Online Privacy
• Protecting Children Online
• Parent Briefing on Social Media for Kids
• Protecting Kids on the Internet