What Is Children’s Privacy Law?

Children’s Privacy Law

An important children’s privacy law in the U.S. is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA requires the Federal Trade Commission to issue and enforce regulations concerning the online privacy of those under age 13. The Commission’s first COPPA Rule took effect in 2000, and an amended Rule took effect in 2013.
 
The primary goal of COPPA is to place parents in control over personal information collected from their children online. Its Rule applies to commercial websites, online services, and mobile apps that collect, use, or disclose children’s personal information. The Act applies to websites designed for children’s use but can also apply to general audience sites. Additionally, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that prevents the sharing of personal student data and educational records with third parties without parental consent. However, the law does allow schools to share student information with some types of educational vendors and consultants.