For many kids, the Internet is at their fingertips. From computers to smartphones, a web of information is open to them. According to a new report, about three out of four kids aged 12 to 15 connect the Internet using a mobile device from time to time. Many younger kids are online too.
Julian Zeitlinger, 9, from New Jersey, uses his computer to watch videos and play games. To keep him safe online, his parents monitor his web use and discuss Internet safety with him. "I ask my parents whether something is nice or bad，" Julian says.
Mobile devices offer more ways than ever to share personal information. The information can be dangerous in the wrong hands.A study found that 62% of children aged 8 to 17 have had an unpleasant online experience.
Have you ever had to enter a parent's e－mail address when signing up for a website? That safety measure is there because of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The law says sites for kids under 13 cannot collect personal information, such as a phone number or full name, without a parent's permission.
This July, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will update COPPA for the first time since the law was created in 1998 when there were no smart phones. The nature of the way kids get online has changed, FTC lawyer Phyllis Marcus said.
When the changes take effect, COPPA will apply to mobile devices and newer forms of advertising. It will expand what falls under "personal information" to include videos, photographs, and services that give users location.
COPPA doesn't cover everything that can go wrong online. That is why kids and parents need to know what to look out for and to stop and think before sharing information online.
"There is a misunderstanding that if a site is following COPPA, it is totally safe," says privacy expert Shai Samet. He runs kidSAFE, which checks whether a site meets kidSAFE standards and is safe. "It's important that kids know how useful the Internet is but that it also can be dangerous if you are not careful." he adds.
