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Have you considered what private information your children may be
giving out on the Web?
Increasingly, commercial Web sites aimed at children are collecting
personal information from your children. The Web site company uses the
information for many purposes. For example, the information may be used
to personalize the child’s Web experiences, provide homework help, or e-mail
a newsletter. Some Web sites may sell the information or use it to market
products to children.
The law gives parents
and guardians greater control over young children’s personal information
online. Effective April 21, 2000, the law is enforced by the Federal Trade
Commission. The information below on the new law will help you protect
your privacy, and the safety and privacy of your children.
What does the new law do?
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Requires commercial Web sites aimed at children, such as www.pokemon.com/
or www.disney.com/, to get a parent’s or guardian’s permission before
collecting personal information from children age 12 and under.
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Gives parents and guardians the right to review, change, and delete personal
Web information.
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Gives parents and guardians the right to remove their children from online
subscriptions.
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Requires commercial Web sites aimed at children to post on their Web site
their privacy policies and how personal information will be used.
How will the new law work?
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If your child is 12 or under and uses the Web at home or in the library,
he or she may be asked for a parent’s or guardian’s e-mail, phone or fax
number.
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The Web site company will contact you to get permission for your children
to provide personal information or to participate in online activities,
such as a contest or a chat room.
What can YOU do?
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Carefully review requests and the privacy policies of commercial Web sites
aimed at your children. Determine who is collecting the information and
for what purpose.
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Reply promptly and clearly to the Web site company’s request for permission.
Indicate whether or not you will grant permission for the personal information
to be collected.
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Talk with your children about online privacy. Make sure they understand
the importance of keeping personal information private.
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