CIPA & COPPA Privacy and Protection for our children on the Internet

 

                                                                        Children's Privacy

My thoughts on CIPA/COPPA...

I appreciate these laws being implemented and put into affect to protect our children's/student's privacy, because I acknowledge the benefits the internet has to offer our children and students.  Without these Acts in place the web/internet would not be safe for our youth.  With the invention of the web/internet we have gained many opportunities to enhance our knowledge.  However, not all sites on the internet are appropriate for our children and they need to be regulated.

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) gives parents the opportunity to control what information the
web can collect from children under the age of 13.

 Melissa Campanelli wrote in Entrepreneur. "It was written specifically for Internet marketers that operate Web sites visited by children under the age of 13 and collect personal information from those kids. Its purpose is to regulate that collection."(privacy-protection-act-coppa.html)

In 1998, the FTC conducted a survey and found that 89 percent of websites (of the 212 they surveyed) collected personal information from children. 46 percent did not disclose why they collected the data and/or how the information was used. 

This was the beginning of why internet laws were executed.  "The law was intended to address this potential problem by requiring Web sites and other online services directed toward children under the age of 13—as well as general audience sites that collect personal information from children—to obtain verifiable consent from the children's parents." (INC)

CIPA- The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA):

This Act requires schools and libraries to implement an Internet safety policy which includes;

• Access to inappropriate matter on the Internet for minors
• Unauthorized use, collection and circulation of minor's personal information
• Restricting minors' access to materials harmful to them

    Before schools can even receive E-rate funding they must consent and comply that the CIPA and COPPA Acts will be adhered to.  There are two additional CIPA certification requirements for schools to consent to; that their Internet safety policies will include monitoring minors' online activities, they must educate minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with others on social networks, and the awareness of cyberbullying.

    There are many resources available for parents and teachers to learn and teach others ways to protect children from any inappropriate online activity:

Resources

 Children between the ages of 9-17, use the web to socialize with their peers, family, and any person they have met online who share like-minded interests. 

We live in an Era where not allowing our kids access to the Internet is not realistic, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic. "95% of schools are now connected to the Internet with 45 million children ages 10-17 using the Internet"(ways-to-educate-and-protect-your-children-online).

As a society, we depend on the internet for educational information and communication.  As parents and teachers we must advise our children of the best practices to remain safe as they navigate through the internet, protecting them from many adverse dangers.  With the proper support and guidelines in place, children can enjoy the many benefits the cyberspace has to offer.