Implemented in 2000, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)<\/strong> applies to websites and online service operators\u2014including apps, games, social networks, VoIP services, IoT devices, and advertising services\u2014that knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information from children under the age of 13. Nonprofit organizations engaged solely in non-commercial activities are generally exempt from COPPA requirements.<\/p>\nHow Is a Child-Directed Website Determined?<\/strong><\/h4>\nSeveral factors are considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether a website or online service is directed toward children, including:<\/p>\n\n\nSubject matter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nVisual content<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nUse of animated characters or child-oriented activities and incentives<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nMusic and audio content<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nAge of models<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nPresence of celebrities who appeal to children<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nLanguage and other characteristics<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nAdvertising displayed on the website or online service<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nEvidence regarding the intended audience and actual audience composition<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat Is Required Under COPPA?<\/strong><\/h4>\nWebsites and online service operators must:<\/p>\n\n\nProvide clear notice about the personal information collected from children, how it is used, and how it may be disclosed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nPublish a comprehensive online privacy policy describing their practices for collecting, using, and sharing children’s personal information.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nObtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children, except where limited exceptions apply.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nAllow parents to consent to internal use of a child’s information without requiring unnecessary disclosure to third parties.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nGive parents access to their child’s personal information and the ability to review or delete it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nAllow parents to stop future collection or use of their child’s personal information.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nMaintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of children’s personal information, including when shared with authorized third parties.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nSecurely delete children’s personal information when it is no longer needed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nRetain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill its intended purpose.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nEnsure participation in online activities is not conditioned on providing more personal information than is reasonably necessary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat Led to COPPA?<\/strong><\/h4>\nCongress enacted COPPA in 1998, directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish and enforce children’s online privacy regulations. The original COPPA Rule became effective in 2000 and was significantly updated in 2013 to address evolving technologies and online services.<\/p>\nHow Is COPPA Enforced?<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe FTC enforces COPPA and may impose substantial civil penalties for violations. In addition, state attorneys general and certain federal agencies have authority to enforce the law in applicable cases.<\/p>\nChoose Barriano for Your Accessibility & Compliance Needs<\/strong><\/h4>\nOrganizations trust Barriano<\/strong> to help build accessible, inclusive, and standards-compliant digital experiences. From AI-powered accessibility solutions and comprehensive accessibility testing to remediation support and ongoing compliance guidance, Barriano provides the expertise and tools needed to help organizations meet global accessibility and regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FAQ<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Frequently asked questions.<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Can’t find your answer? Reach out \u2014 we’d love to chat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Several factors are considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether a website or online service is directed toward children, including:<\/p>\n
Subject matter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Visual content<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Use of animated characters or child-oriented activities and incentives<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Music and audio content<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Age of models<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Presence of celebrities who appeal to children<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Language and other characteristics<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Advertising displayed on the website or online service<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Evidence regarding the intended audience and actual audience composition<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Websites and online service operators must:<\/p>\n
Provide clear notice about the personal information collected from children, how it is used, and how it may be disclosed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Publish a comprehensive online privacy policy describing their practices for collecting, using, and sharing children’s personal information.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children, except where limited exceptions apply.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Allow parents to consent to internal use of a child’s information without requiring unnecessary disclosure to third parties.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Give parents access to their child’s personal information and the ability to review or delete it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Allow parents to stop future collection or use of their child’s personal information.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of children’s personal information, including when shared with authorized third parties.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Securely delete children’s personal information when it is no longer needed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill its intended purpose.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Ensure participation in online activities is not conditioned on providing more personal information than is reasonably necessary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Congress enacted COPPA in 1998, directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish and enforce children’s online privacy regulations. The original COPPA Rule became effective in 2000 and was significantly updated in 2013 to address evolving technologies and online services.<\/p>\n
The FTC enforces COPPA and may impose substantial civil penalties for violations. In addition, state attorneys general and certain federal agencies have authority to enforce the law in applicable cases.<\/p>\n
Organizations trust Barriano<\/strong> to help build accessible, inclusive, and standards-compliant digital experiences. From AI-powered accessibility solutions and comprehensive accessibility testing to remediation support and ongoing compliance guidance, Barriano provides the expertise and tools needed to help organizations meet global accessibility and regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FAQ<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Frequently asked questions.<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Can’t find your answer? Reach out \u2014 we’d love to chat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
FAQ<\/p>\n<\/div>
Can’t find your answer? Reach out \u2014 we’d love to chat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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