Understanding COPPA: Tips for Online Platforms to Ensure Compliance

If you operate an online store that is directed to children under the age of 13 or knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13, you must comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). In this blog post, we will give you all the information you need to know about COPPA and some steps you can take to guarantee your store's compliance.

What is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)?

COPPA is a US law that regulates the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information from children under the age of 13 online. It was enacted in 1998 to address growing concerns about the privacy of children in the digital age. The law requires website operators and online service providers to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 and to provide notice to parents about their information practices.

Why is COPPA important?

COPPA helps protect the privacy of children online. Children are especially vulnerable to online privacy violations because they may not understand the consequences of sharing personal information online. This act makes sure that website operators and online service providers obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 and that parents are informed about how their child's information is being used.

COPPA compliance checklist:

As we understood it is compulsory to adhere to COPPA regulations if you have a website that is directed to children under the age of 13 or knowingly collect their information. Here is a checklist of steps you can take to ensure compliance with this law:

 
•  Determine if your website or mobile app is directed to children under 13;  
 
•  Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information;  
 
•  Provide notice to parents about your information practices;  
 
•  Implement reasonable security measures to protect personal information;  
 
•  Designate a COPPA compliance officer.  

Conclusion

So now we know that complying with COPPA is essential for any online store that collects personal information from children under the age of 13. By following the COPPA compliance checklist you can ensure that you are protecting the personal information of children and complying with the law. Remember, protecting the online privacy of children is not only a legal requirement, but it is also a moral responsibility. By taking the necessary steps to comply with COPPA, you can help create a safer and more secure online environment for children.

For assistance in your store's compliance, you can download the Consentmo app from the Shopify app store. To keep yourself up to date on all of the ways to protect your customer's data, follow us on our social media channels, and for questions, don't hesitate to contact us via chat or email, or simply check our FAQ page.