It’s not surprising that as of late, there’s been a magnifying glass on privacy issues when it comes to technology, particularly as it relates to kids. Remember those WIFI-connected stuffed animals? Yikes. Well, in a recent study, researchers discovered that over 3300 Android apps were collecting more data than they should from kids, possibly violated the US’s COPPA law.
Related: Does incognito mode protect your privacy?
While only a few were glaring violations, there are still plenty of note, ranging from sharing location data without asking parental permission to transmitting information without reasonable security measures. It’s unclear as to whether these apps show legal liability; ultimately, the FTC will need to crackdown if they see fit.
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as having these apps ensure they get parental permission or check the age, and with the myriad apps being launched in the Google Play store every single day, it’s not something they’re able to vet without some form of automation.
Related: How to talk to tweens and teens about safe Internet use
With that being said, it’s important for parents to do a little research before you allow your kids to download an app. Sure, it’s time consuming to check the privacy policy and terms of service. But ensuring the safety of your kids and their digital identities is part of the job in this age of digital parenting. That also means talking to your kids about what they’re downloading, clicking, and sharing, and what implications that has for their future.
via Engadget ; Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
