As the use of technology becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, the importance of protecting our personal data, especially that of children, has become increasingly important.
In recent years, governments around the world have enacted laws to protect children’s data privacy, but there is still much work to be done.
One of the most comprehensive data privacy laws for children is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which was enacted in the United States in 1998.
COPPA requires websites and online services to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. The law also requires websites to post a clear and concise privacy policy, which must explain what information is being collected, how it is being used, and how it will be shared.
Additionally, COPPA requires websites to provide parents with the option to review and delete their child’s personal information.
COPPA has been successful in protecting children’s data privacy, but there are concerns that the law is outdated and does not adequately address newer technologies such as social media and mobile apps. To address these concerns, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which enforces COPPA, has proposed updates to the law. These updates include expanding COPPA’s coverage to include social media platforms and mobile apps, as well as strengthening parental consent requirements.
Other countries have also enacted data privacy laws for children.
In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) includes specific provisions for the protection of children’s data privacy. The GDPR requires parental consent for the processing of children’s personal data up to the age of 16, although individual EU member states can choose to lower this age to 13.
In Australia, the Privacy Act 1988 includes a set of 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) that govern the handling of personal information by Australian government agencies and businesses. APP 5 specifically addresses the collection of personal information from children under the age of 18 and requires parental consent for such collection.
Despite the existence of these laws, there are still concerns that companies are not doing enough to protect children’s data privacy.
A 2019 study by the FTC found that many mobile apps aimed at children were collecting data without parental consent, and a 2020 study by the Norwegian Consumer Council found similar issues with popular social media platforms.
It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of these data privacy laws and to take steps to protect their children’s personal information. This includes reading privacy policies, reviewing app permissions, and talking to their children about online privacy.
In conclusion, protecting children’s data privacy is crucial in today’s digital age. While laws such as COPPA and the GDPR have been enacted to address this issue, there is still much work to be done to ensure that companies are following these regulations and adequately protecting children’s personal information. Parents and caregivers can play a role in this by educating themselves and their children about online privacy and taking steps to protect their personal data.
Further Reading:
Federal Trade Commission. (2020). Complying with COPPA: Frequently Asked Questions.
European Commission. (2018). Data protection rules for children.
