Key Insights on Which Law Addresses Website Usage for Students Under the Age of 13
With the invention of digital age, education has seen a massive change in experience for students through different online resources and platforms. While this offer significant advantages, it raises concerns over privacy and security – especially for kids under 13. The United States has a law known as the **Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)**, which is one of two primary laws in the country regarding online privacy and safety of children. In the US, this law establishes certain requirements for websites and online services that collect, use or disclose personal information from children under 13 years of age.
COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)
Background and Purpose of COPPA
COPPA (**1998**) – COPPA was enacted in **1998** and is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to give parents control over what information websites can collect from their children. This rule, which imposes certain obligations on websites and online services directed to children under 13 (or those that have actual knowledge the user is a child) regarding collection of information from said users should be repealed.
Key Provisions of COPPA
Parental Consent
One of the fundamental aspects required by COPPA is **parents’ verifiable consent**, without which personal data cannot be gathered, used or divulged excluding for a several exceptions associated with check & process. That operators must take reasonable steps to ensure that before any information is collected from a child, the parent receives notice of the website’s collection and use practices.
Privacy Policy
Organizations covered by COPPA must post a clear and complete **privacy notice** on the home page of their website and at each location where information is collected from children. How this information will be used and the operator’s disclosure practices so that you understand how it may or not shared. How You Can Correct Any Inaccuracies in Your Information
Data Minimization and Security
Operators Must Use Reasonable Means to Protect the Confidentiality, Security and Integrity of Personal Information Collected from Children. Also, COPPA requires **whatever level of data minimization** that operators can manage so far as they keep personal information secure for no longer than required to satisfy applicable purpose.
Right to Review and Delete Data
COPPA gives parents the right to access their child’s personal information and revoke a parent consent previously given, as well.
Compliance Issues for School-Related Websites
Ensuring Verifiable Parental Consent
It is notoriously difficult to achieve verifiable parental consent in a way that also balances making the user journey as easy and enjoyable as possible, yet for educational sites it can be crucial. There are some ways to confirm consent like Having a parent sign back via fax, mail or electronic scan Simply demanding the name of their credit card number for verification using another method that has direct contact with the mother and father by means reliable.
Robust Privacy Policies
Develop a **privacy policy** that is easy for parents + guardians to read and understand Policies of all educational websites need to be clear on information that is being collected and how it is used or shared.
Data Security Measures
One of the key principles SARCOMentricity-standard to all platforms is **data security**. For educational websites, security solutions are essential in order to shield children from unauthorized access and use or disclosure of the child’s information. This includes leveraging encryption, conducting regular security audits and training employees on data privacy practices.
The School and COPPA Compliance
Schools as Intermediaries
Schools, in some circumstances, can serve as a man-in-the-middle between website operators and parents. The FTC says schools may in some cases provide consent for collection of personal information about children, but only if it is solely within an educational context. When using any educational websites or services, schools should be extra cautious to select those that are in compliance with COPPA and have checked the operators’ privacy policies and practices.
Educating Parents and Kids
Schools should be **teaching** its students and families about Internet privacy/safety This includes details on explaining their rights under COPPA as well what protections exist for personal information when using educational websites and services.
How the Education Technology (EdTech) sector is impacted by COPPA
Privacy, and Innovation by Design
COPPA has impacted the EdTech industry, driving innovative practices around privacy by design. More and more companies are now building these protections into their products for COPPA as well potentially to comply with other (such as GDPR–the recently implemented European Union regulation that affects any company which processes information on EU residents, including EdTech) privacy regulations.
Establishing Trust with ParentsThe audience at schools can be challenging to engage, and so the Brain Power team has created effective approaches for reaching out in a way that is non-intimidating.
Following COPPA in this way makes them more trustworthy to **parents and educators** that have concerns about the privacy of children. Trust is vital to support the wider use of educational technologies at different schools and homes.
Conclusion
COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) added an important layer of protection for the online privacy and safety of young kids. As a children’s content developer, maintaining COPPA compliance is not just about legal requirement—it’s also our promise to the most at-risk users on educational websites and citizen services: kids aged under 13. Educational websites can do this in a safe manner by enforcing verifiable parental consent, transparent Lawprivacy policies and appropriately secure data storing. These standards will not be met without schools, parents and EdTech Law companies working together Law in order to ensure that Law children remain Law safe whilst still being able to make the most Law of on life during the digital age.
Read more article:
