How does COPPA affect you?
During a recent deep dive into Rezzly (a gamification LMS) I became aware of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). To be able to create lesson content within the LMS it requires you to take several courses around online privacy. We have all seen recent examples of teachers getting themselves into trouble through their personal social media posts. Imagine if you are 10 years old and post something that could haunt you for the rest of your life. Enter the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
COPPA Highlights :
That sites must require parental consent for the collection or use of any personal information of young Web site users.
What must be included in a privacy policy, including the requirement that the policy itself be posted anywhere data is collected.
When and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent or guardian.
What responsibilities the operator of a Web site legally holds with regards to children's privacy and safety online, including restrictions on the types and methods of marketing targeting those under 13.
COPPA was passed to address the rapid growth of online marketing techniques in the 1990s that were targeting children. Various Web sites were collecting personal data from children without parental knowledge or consent.
Although COPPA does not specifically define how parental consent should be gained, the (FTC) has established guidelines to help Web site operators ensure compliance with the Act. These suggestions include:
Clear display of downloadable consent forms that may be mailed or faxed to to the operator.
Requiring that a parent use a credit card to authenticate age and identity.
Requiring that a parent call a toll-free phone number.
Accepting an email from a parent that includes a digital signature.
What does this mean as a teacher?
You should always keep this in mind whenever you are collecting, posting, and sharing your students personal information and creations. If you are doing a "public" type project or web display, you most likely will have to gain parental permission to do so. If there is a public forum and your students have access, know that their parents should also have access to such information. Any Web site that collects information from children under the age of 13 has to abide by COPPA, so make sure all your bases are covered.
