Why COPPA Matters for Parents and Businesses

judahnationorg
Aug 22
2 min read

The internet can be a powerful space for children to learn, connect, and create — but it’s also filled with risks that many parents, schools, and companies don’t see until it’s too late. One of the strongest safeguards we have is a law called COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Whether you’re a parent trying to protect your child’s data or a business building youth-focused products, understanding COPPA is critical.

What is COPPA?

COPPA is a federal law that gives parents control over the information websites and online services can collect from children under the age of 13. Enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the law requires businesses to:

Get verifiable parental consent before collecting personal data from children.
Provide clear, easy-to-read privacy policies.
Allow parents to review and delete their child’s information if requested.

For families, this means greater transparency. For businesses, it means strict responsibility — and the consequences for ignoring it are costly.

Why COPPA Matters for Parents

As a parent, you may not realize how much of your child’s personal information can be tracked and stored online — from names and email addresses to location data, browsing habits, and even voice recordings from smart toys. COPPA gives you the right to:

Control consent: Approve or deny whether a company can collect your child’s information.
Stay informed: Demand transparency in how data is collected and used.
Protect privacy: Request deletion of your child’s personal data at any time.

Understanding COPPA empowers parents to set boundaries, ask the right questions, and choose platforms that put children’s safety first.

Why COPPA Matters for Businesses

For companies, compliance isn’t optional — it’s the law. Businesses that fail to meet COPPA standards face more than just fines:

Legal Risk: Fines can reach over $40,000 per violation, per child. YouTube famously paid $170 million in penalties for COPPA violations.
Reputation Damage: Losing parent trust can destroy a brand overnight.
Operational Strain: Non-compliance can lead to audits, lawsuits, and costly rebuilds of platforms or apps.

But compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties — it’s also a business advantage. Companies that can confidently say “We are COPPA compliant” stand out as trustworthy, gaining a competitive edge with parents, schools, and investors.

The School Connection

Schools often serve as the middle ground between families and businesses. When classrooms use educational apps or online platforms, COPPA applies. That means schools need to ensure the tools they adopt protect student data, follow federal guidelines, and provide parental transparency.

Closing the Gap: Where We Come In

COPPA can feel overwhelming — whether you’re a parent trying to decode tech terms or a business facing compliance audits. That’s why Nena Foggs exists. We help:

Parents → Understand your rights and protect your child’s digital footprint.
Schools → Train staff and choose safe, compliant platforms for students.
Businesses → Conduct COPPA audits, design parental consent systems, and build privacy into products from the start.

Final Word

COPPA is more than a legal requirement — it’s a commitment to protecting children in a digital world. For parents, it’s a tool to take control. For businesses, it’s a responsibility and an opportunity to build trust. Together, we can make the internet a safer, smarter space for the next generation.