Children's data is among the most aggressively collected and least protected on the internet. Apps, games, and educational platforms targeting kids are often the worst offenders for data collection. Here's what parents need to know and do.
Why Children's Data Is Different
Children's online privacy is governed by COPPA — the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act — which requires parental consent before collecting data from children under 13. In practice, most platforms just require users to enter a birthdate, which children trivially bypass by entering a fake age.
Your child's data is valuable for two reasons: it creates a 10+ year advertising profile before they're even adults, and it's often left unsecured because children are assumed not to have financial data worth stealing. In reality, children's clean Social Security numbers are prime targets for identity theft — fraud that often goes undiscovered until the child applies for credit years later.
Check Your Child's Credit
Children shouldn't have a credit file. Request a credit check at all three bureaus for your child's Social Security number. If a file exists, it means someone has fraudulently used their identity. Freeze your child's credit at all three bureaus immediately — this is possible even for minors and prevents new fraudulent accounts.
Review the Apps They Use
Many popular kids' games and apps collect far more data than necessary. Check the Privacy section of the App Store or Google Play for any app your child uses. Look for apps that request access to location, microphone, camera, or contacts — and question whether that access is necessary.
Roblox, for example, has detailed data collection practices that include sharing data with advertising partners. Minecraft (Microsoft) collects gameplay telemetry. Even educational apps frequently collect and sell student data.
Use Parental Controls on the Network Level
DNS-based content filtering blocks inappropriate content and known tracking domains before they ever reach your child's device. Options include:
- NextDNS (nextdns.io) — configurable, free tier available, blocks ads and trackers network-wide
- Cloudflare 1.1.1.3 — free DNS that blocks malware and adult content
- Your router's built-in parental controls
Teach Privacy Habits Early
The most lasting protection is teaching children not to share personal information online. Specifically: never share your real name, school name, location, or photos publicly; never friend strangers; understand that nothing posted online is truly private or temporary.
School Data
Educational technology used by schools — Google Classroom, Canvas, educational apps — collects significant student data. Schools are bound by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), but enforcement is inconsistent. Ask your school what EdTech platforms they use and review their privacy policies.