ABA Family Legal Guide

Computer Law

Child Protection and the Internet

How can a parent protect a Web-surfing child's privacy?

Federal law places restrictions on operators of websites and online services directed at children under thirteen. Under regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule, these operators must post clear and comprehensive privacy policies on their websites describing what they plan to do with information provided by children. The FTC issued the rule under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

Under the regulations, the operators also must provide notice to parents and obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children. In addition, the regulations also require operators to provide parents access to their child's personal information and have it deleted if they wish. The regulations also bar operators from prohibiting a child's participation on the site unless he or she provides personal information beyond that reasonably necessary to allow the child to participate.