{"id":15014,"date":"2024-09-17T17:40:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T15:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cookiebot.com\/en\/?p=15014"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:16:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:16:04","slug":"coppa-compliance-requirements-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cookiebot.com\/en\/coppa-compliance-requirements-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding COPPA compliance requirements: A guide to safeguarding children\u2019s online privacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the internet becomes an integral part of children's lives, ensuring their safety online has never been more critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Children\u2019s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) plays a vital role in protecting the privacy of children under 13 by setting strict guidelines for how businesses can collect and manage their personal information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For any company that knowingly collects and processes the personal data of minors, understanding COPPA compliance requirements is essential to avoid hefty fines and protect brand reputation. It also helps to build trust with families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We break down the essentials of COPPA and include a COPPA compliance checklist, so your company can protect children's online privacy and give parents control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Children\u2019s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)<\/a> is a US federal law, passed in 1998 and enacted in 2000, that focuses on safeguarding the privacy of children under 13 on the internet. It requires websites and online services that collect personal information from children to get verified consent from parents or guardians before doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the state-level data privacy laws passed in the United States also defer to COPPA regarding the handling of children\u2019s personal information and consent and data protection requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COPPA was introduced due to rising concerns about children's safety and privacy as the internet rapidly expanded in the late 1990s. The law was created to prevent the unauthorized collection of personal data from minors and to give parents more control over their kids' online activities. It took effect on April 21, 2000, and has been updated to keep up with evolving technologies and online practices, like the proliferation of cell phone usage and social media platforms, some of which are specifically targeted to children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A more comprehensive update, called the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (informally \"COPPA 2.0\"), was introduced in both 2023 and 2024. However, as of September 2024, it has not yet been passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does COPPA apply to you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you operate a website, app, or online service, you might wonder whether COPPA compliance requirements apply to your company. This is an important consideration, as failing to comply can result in significant fines and harm your reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COPPA isn't limited to child-focused platforms. Even if your main audience is adults, you may still need to comply. Consider the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you answered \"yes\" to any of these questions, COPPA guidelines likely apply to your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also valid for companies based outside the US. COPPA compliance requirements cover foreign websites and services that collect data from children in the United States. Therefore, it's best to consult with a legal expert if in doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is personal information according to COPPA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to COPPA, personal information includes a broad range of data that can be used to identify a child under 13 years old. Specifically, COPPA defines personal information<\/a> as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n