Be COPPA Smart: The Go-to Checklist for Ensuring Children’s Online Privacy

Why COPPA Compliance is Our Top Priority at Intent Amplify®

Children are vulnerable to privacy hazards. And, their data, even more so. Safeguarding children’s data is crucial, as they are more susceptible to privacy threats than adults. Therefore, in today’s digital landscape, protecting children’s online privacy is more critical than ever. If you’re launching an app or service that collects data from children, ensuring compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) should be at the forefront of your agenda. Failure to comply can result in severe financial and legal consequences.

At Intent Amplify®, we believe that safeguarding children’s data is not just a legal obligation but a fundamental responsibility. We are committed to helping businesses like yours navigate the complexities of COPPA compliance, ensuring that young users remain safe while engaging with your services.

The Importance of COPPA Compliance

Enacted in 1998, COPPA governs how businesses collect, use, and share data from children under the age of 13. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces these regulations, holding service providers accountable for protecting young users’ privacy.

Key COPPA principles include:

• Protecting Children’s Privacy – Ensuring transparency about data collection and its intended use.
• Obtaining Verifiable Parental Consent – Securing explicit parental approval before collecting a child’s data.
• Compliance Enforcement by the FTC – Failure to comply can result in significant penalties and legal action.

Guide Your Students’ Learning Path

Having top-notch courses in every essential subject is great, but if students aren’t aware of them, those valuable resources might go unused.

A well-structured notification system helps direct students toward the right learning opportunities, enhancing their overall experience. By optimizing their journey, you can also introduce them to additional courses that align with their interests and needs.

Does Your Business Need to Comply with COPPA?

If your service involves children under 13 in any of the following ways, you are subject to COPPA regulations:

• Your website, app, or platform is designed specifically for children.
• Your service is intended for a general audience but is frequently used by children.
• Third-party partners you work with collect data from users under 13.
• You use advertising, plugins, or tracking mechanisms that may target children.

Identifying Personal Information Under COPPA

Many companies unknowingly violate COPPA by failing to recognize what qualifies as personal information. According to the FTC, personal information includes:

• Full names (first and last)
• Home addresses
• Unique usernames and identifiers
• Telephone or mobile numbers
• Social Security numbers
• Photos, videos, and audio recordings featuring children
• Geolocation data pinpointing a child’s whereabouts
• Any data combined with the above that could identify a child or their parent

Your Path to COPPA Compliance

To help you meet COPPA standards, we have developed a comprehensive compliance checklist, ensuring your business remains legally and ethically sound:

1. Establish a Transparent Privacy Policy – Clearly communicate how children’s data is collected and used.
2. Obtain Verifiable Parental Consent – Notify and secure explicit approval from parents before data collection.
3. Offer Parental Control – Allow parents to review, modify, or delete their child’s information.
4. Restrict Data Collection – Only gather the minimum necessary data and dispose of it when no longer needed.
5. Ensure Secure Data Storage – Protect collected information from unauthorized access and breaches.
6. Avoid Mandatory Data Disclosure – Never require a child to provide more information than necessary to use your service.

How Can I Determine if Children Will Use My App or Website?

To assess whether your app or website is likely to attract children, consider the following factors:

• Does your platform feature content designed to engage children, such as animated characters, interactive games, or toy-related themes?
• Are your advertisements and marketing materials tailored to a younger audience, using playful visuals, child-friendly language, or activities that appeal to kids?

If you’re uncertain, collaborate with your marketing and product teams to thoroughly evaluate your service’s content, design, and promotional strategies.

Are There Child Privacy Laws Outside the U.S.?

Yes, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union includes protections for children’s data, similar to COPPA. Article 8 of the GDPR sets the default minimum age for data consent at 16, though individual EU countries may lower it to 13.

If your platform operates globally, it’s important to review the specific child data protection laws in each country to ensure compliance.

What Are the Consequences of Violating COPPA?

Failure to comply with COPPA can result in fines exceeding $50,000 per violation. The exact penalty depends on factors such as the severity of the violation and the size of your business or organization. In addition to financial penalties, non-compliance can lead to legal action, reputational damage, and loss of user trust.

How Can My Business Become COPPA Compliant?

If your business is not yet compliant with COPPA, take immediate action by following these steps:

• Cease Data Collection – Stop gathering, storing, or sharing personal information from children under 13 until compliance measures are in place.
• Review and Update Policies – Assess your data collection practices, privacy policy, and terms of service to ensure they align with COPPA regulations.
• Implement Parental Consent Mechanisms – Establish a verifiable parental consent system before collecting children’s data.
• Limit Data Collection – Only gather the minimum amount of information necessary for your service.
• Enhance Security Measures – Ensure all stored children’s data is protected with strong encryption and security protocols.
• Train Your Team – Educate employees on COPPA requirements to prevent unintentional violations.
• Consult Legal Experts – Seek professional advice to confirm compliance and avoid costly mistakes.

Taking these steps will help your business meet regulatory requirements and protect children’s privacy effectively.

Does COPPA Apply After a Child Turns 13?

No, COPPA protections specifically apply to children under the age of 13. Once a child reaches 13, they gain legal control over their personal data and can decide how it is shared without parental consent.

However, businesses should exercise caution when adjusting policies. If your platform still appeals to younger audiences, it may unintentionally collect data from children under 13, keeping COPPA compliance relevant. Regularly reviewing your service’s audience and data practices is essential to avoid violations.

What Kind of Services Can You Offer Once You Are COPPA Compliant?

Once you secure your COPPA compliance, you can focus on your primary goals, like delivering a trustworthy and secure user experience. At Intent Amplify®, we not only support your compliance efforts but also help you leverage data-driven insights to optimize growth marketing strategies, including GTM (Go-to-Market) execution, demand generation, events marketing, and intent intelligence.

We guide you in creating a foolproof platform that balances safety, transparency, and user engagement while maintaining compliance.

E-Learning

Whether you operate a web, desktop, or mobile e-learning platform, ensuring compliance while optimizing user engagement is crucial. Our solutions help you:

1. Track User Behavior: Identify how effectively your platform delivers quality education by analyzing lesson completion rates, engagement trends, and drop-off points. With A/B and UI/UX testing, you can refine user experience and conversion paths.
2. Collect Actionable Feedback: Use surveys and feedback forms to capture insights from students, parents, and educators. Implement improvements based on real data, then highlight these enhancements in your marketing efforts to boost credibility and reviews on platforms like Capterra, G2, and Trustpilot.
3. Enhance Demand Generation & Events Marketing: Leverage intent intelligence to understand audience needs and personalize marketing campaigns. Our analytics tools help you identify high-intent users, optimize your messaging, and drive engagement through targeted events and digital campaigns.

Going Beyond COPPA Compliance

Data privacy is more than just meeting regulatory requirements; it’s about earning user trust. At Intent Amplify®, we provide cutting-edge solutions to enhance security, privacy, and compliance beyond COPPA, including:

• Self-Hosting for Full Data Control – Minimize third-party access to sensitive user information.
• End-to-End Encryption – Secure data in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized breaches.
• Right to Be Forgotten Compliance – Ensure complete data deletion upon request.
• Parental ‘Do Not Track’ Preferences – Give users and parents the power to control data tracking.
• Comprehensive Access Control – Implement role-based access to restrict data visibility.

COPPA Compliance FAQ

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal law designed to protect the privacy of children under 13. It places requirements on websites, apps, and online services that collect personal information from children. Below are some frequently asked questions to help you understand COPPA compliance.

What is COPPA?

COPPA is a law enacted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to regulate the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information from children under 13 years of age by online services.

Who needs to comply with COPPA?

Any website, app, or online service that is:

• Directed at children under 13
• Collecting personal information from children under 13
• Used by a significant number of children and knowingly collecting their data

What is considered “personal information” under COPPA?

COPPA defines personal information as:

• Full name
• Home or email address
• Phone number
• Social Security number
• Geolocation data
• Photos, videos, or voice recordings
• Any persistent identifiers (like cookies or IP addresses) that track a child’s activity

What are the key requirements for COPPA compliance?

• Businesses and online services must:
• Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or sharing a child’s personal information
• Provide clear privacy policies detailing what data is collected and how it is used
• Allow parents to review and delete their child’s data upon request
• Limit data collection to only what is necessary for the service
• Implement reasonable security measures to protect children’s data

How do companies obtain parental consent?

Businesses can obtain verifiable parental consent through methods such as:

• Signed consent forms submitted electronically or via mail
• A parent calling a toll-free number or video chat to verify identity
• Credit card transactions or other identity verification methods

What are the penalties for violating COPPA?

Non-compliance with COPPA can lead to:

• Fines of up to $50,120 per violation (as of the latest FTC guidelines)
• Legal action from the FTC
• Reputational damage and loss of user trust

How can businesses ensure COPPA compliance?

To stay compliant:

• Regularly review and update privacy policies
• Implement age verification and parental consent mechanisms
• Minimize data collection and store it securely
• Train employees on COPPA regulations

Does COPPA apply outside the U.S.?

Yes. Even if a business is based outside the U.S., it must comply if it offers services to children in the U.S. and collects their personal information.

Where can I learn more about COPPA compliance?

For official guidance, visit the FTC’s COPPA page

By ensuring compliance with COPPA, businesses can protect children’s privacy, avoid hefty fines, and build trust with parents and users.

Why Intent Amplify®

Intent Amplify® is the only intent-based marketing and lead generation platform that fully adheres to all the data privacy regulations, including COPPA.

Our data security and compliance efforts identified the heightened risk children face regarding online privacy. Since children may not fully understand the implications of sharing personal information, they are more susceptible to data breaches, tracking, and exploitation. Their personal data—such as names, locations, and browsing habits—is particularly at risk because it can be used for targeted advertising, identity theft, or even unauthorized surveillance. We emphasize the need for stronger privacy protections and responsible data handling for young users.

Our mission is to provide you with the resources and knowledge necessary to align your data collection policies with child safety standards. From modifying data collection methods to establishing clear parental consent mechanisms, we guide you through every step of the compliance process.

Secure Your Compliance Today

At Intent Amplify®, we empower businesses to protect children’s digital privacy with confidence. Our solutions provide actionable insights, robust security measures, and full regulatory compliance, ensuring you meet COPPA standards without compromising your operational efficiency.

Download our COPPA Compliance Checklist now and take the first step toward responsible data management while safeguarding young users. 

Let’s create a safer digital environment together!

For more information on COPPA, please visit FTA’s official website.