Parents are justified
in having concerns about the safety and privacy of their children who use
social media and Smart-Phones. Some companies, websites and apps target teens and
children under the age of 13 by collecting photos or geo-location data from them.
It
has always been the goal of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
(COPPA) to protect children from such targeting. New rules and updates from
COPPA make the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act more relevant in the
social media and mobile phone age. The new rules place additional burdens on
companies that target kids under 13. The rules were enacted despite objections
from industry groups.
It
is mandatory now that websites and phone apps that collect photos or
geo-location data from children must now obtain parental permission, putting
that data in the same category as kids' email or home addresses. The COPPA
updates also make firms more responsible for data collection by third parties.
This was a loophole that had been exploited by marketers in the past.
The
changes that parents notice may be subtle at first. Some children’s apps might
begin requesting parental permissions via emails or other methods. If that
would be the case, it’s important that parents make sure kids don't circumvent
those rules by using fake email address to grant themselves permission
To
quote, Martha Stewart’s famous line, “It’s a good thing.” At last, children’s online
privacy, whether they are using a mobile phone, tablet, gaming device or
computer, is protected. The new COPPA rules put parents in charge of what data
can be collected from their children.
Picture credit: Vicky S
