As the government looks into how well it’s looking after kids’ privacy online, parents should do the same.
A group of 31 consumer, health and privacy groups is urging the Federal Trade Commission to dig deeper when analyzing how apps and websites deal with kids and their privacy.
The FTC is conducting its 10-year review of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The federal law requires digital media companies to get parental permission before gathering personal data from kids younger than 13. Not everybody is following the law, though, and some companies got in hot water this year, accused of violating COPPA.
In February, FTC Chairman Joe Simons said the operators of Musical.ly, now known as Tik Tok, knew lots of kids were using the app, but it didn’t follow COPPA rules.
“They still failed to seek parental consent before collecting names, email addresses and other personal information from users under the age of 13,” Simons said. “We will not tolerate companies that flagrantly ignore the law.”
Operators of the app are now required to change its ways as well as delete all videos made by children younger than 13.
In September, Google and YouTube agreed to pay a record $170 million to settle allegations they violated COPPA. The FTC and the New York Attorney General claimed YouTube tracked viewers of channels directed at kids.
YouTube must now figure out a way for channel owners to identify whether their content is directed at kids so the company can make sure its complying with COPPA.
As the FTC now reviews COPPA, groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Digital Democracy and Consumer Reports are asking the government to use its subpoena power to get more information from affected digital media companies.
CEO and founder of Common Sense James P. Steyer claims tech companies’ business practices are too opaque.
“It is critical that the FTC use its authority to look behind the curtain and shed light on what they are doing when it comes to kids,” he said, “so that if any new rules are needed, they can be smart and well-informed.”
The groups want the FTC to make sure they learn how child-directed apps and websites are advertising to and tracking kids, and how they’re gathering, storing and sharing kids’ data.
Earlier this month, Instagram finally announced it will start asking users their birthdate when they sign up. The Facebook-owned company says doing so will help prevent kids under age 13 from joining Instagram, which is the minimum age for users in Instagram’s terms of use.
Of course, some kids will lie to get on the service and there’s nothing to stop them, except their parents.
My youngest just turned 13 a few months ago and lamented the fact that I made him wait until that birthday to join social media networks. He often told me that “all of his friends” were on social media and they weren’t yet 13. While using that phrase is often used as persuasion to get what kids want, I knew that in this case, it was true.
For years, many of my kids’ classmates have tried to friend me on Instagram before they turned 13. I never allowed it, but I never reported it either. I knew some parents allowed their kids to get accounts, even though they weren’t old enough according to Instagram. But Instagram asks users to report accounts belonging to kids under the age of 13 and maybe we should. I’ve decided it’s up to parents to make that choice whether they’re going to lie to get their kid an account. But if they decide to be deceitful in the name of social media, those parents must realize they are compromising their children’s privacy. No complaining for them.
Parents should instead talk with kids about how to keep their personal information private online. Teach them the basics about creating strong passwords, looking for secure websites, being wary of phishing scams and offers of free stuff and knowing the dangers of public wifi.
Moms and dads need to step up and be their kids’ strongest ally when it comes to keeping personal information private. Make sure to read what information a company will collect on your child and how it will use that data before giving consent.
And know your rights. Even after giving permission to a company, you should be able to review information gathered on your kid and can take back your consent at any time. If you ever feel uncomfortable about the data collected on your child, you can ask apps and websites to delete it.
Finally, if you think a site has collected information from your kids without your permission, report it to the FTC.
Of course we want the government to do its part to help keep our kids safe online, but let’s not leave it solely up to them. We as parents should be informed and fight for our kids and their privacy in the digital world.