Protecting your online privacy is hard enough as an adult, but for children, it can be ever more complicated.
“Adults often have a hard enough time understanding what data an app or website collects, why it’s being collected, and where it may end up. For children, those questions are even harder to grasp,” Bark reported in a blog post.
The website explained that children “can’t meaningfully consent” when they agree to a website or app’s Terms of Service. Many sites do adhere to COPPA or, The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which “requires those sites and services to notify parents directly and get their approval before they collect, use, or disclose a child’s personal information,” per the FTC’s website.
However, it’s easy for young people to get around these barriers, whether it’s inputting a fake date of birth or using a parent’s device to gain access to a site or app.
Additionally, many children and teens might not even realize their data is being collected. While today’s young people are trained to withhold their names, birthdays and addresses, they might not think twice about sharing photos and videos, browsing history, contacts or in-app messages.
Related: What Parents Need to Know About Updated Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
So, what can parents do to keep their children’s privacy safe online?
“Audit app permissions,” Bark recommended, telling parents to check which of their children’s apps have access to their location, camera, contacts and other details.
The site also said to “set privacy settings early” — “Don’t wait for your child to figure it out on their own. Set social media accounts to private by default, limit who can message or tag them. Don’t be afraid to turn on parental controls across apps and check these settings regularly, especially after app updates.”
The most important thing parents can do is to talk it through with their children, explaining that “privacy isn’t just about hiding things from parents. It’s about protecting their identity, photos and personal information from people and companies they don’t know.”
UNICEF also encouraged open conversation, counseling parents to get things started by asking them to teach you about their favorite platform.
“While you’re exploring together you can ask them if they have ever felt pressure to share personal information online or know someone who has? What would they do if they experienced an issue online?” they shared. “Use the opportunity to walk through our privacy settings checklist together to make sure they’re familiar with what information is being collected and shared.”
Children and teens might think they’re aware of how to protect their privacy, but it’s important for parents to have conversations with them about how best to stay safe online.
Read Next: These Tips Will Keep Your Kids Safe Online
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