Act provides protection on Internet

    Studying, educational games and entertainment are a few reasons children use the Internet, but parents must ensure their child’s privacy is being protected.

   Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 gives parents the ability to monitor the personal information their child gives out on the Internet.

   The law went into effect April 21, 2000.

   The law defined a child as an individual under the age of 13 and personal information as the child’s name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, E-mail address or any information of this kind asked about the child’s parent.

   Web site operators have a responsibility to post their privacy policy if their Web site is directed to children or if they knowingly collect information from children.

   Also as a result of this policy, they must state the types of information they collect, how they will use the information, whether the information is forwarded to advertisers or another third party and a contact for the site.

   Operators must also get parental consent unless they collect an E-mail address only to respond to a one-time request, to provide notice to a parent, to ensure the safety of the child or the site or to send a newsletter on a regular basis if they have notified the parents and given them the chance to say no to the arrangement.

   If the information policies change, the operator is required to get a new consent from the parents.

   Parents can also review the personal information collected from their child.

   The operator must verify the identity of the parent requesting the information before it is sent for review.

   Parents can also revoke their consent at any time, and the Web site must stop collecting, using or disclosing information from that child.

   Parents may also have their child’s information deleted from the site’s database when they revoke consent.

   Parents must also supervise the Web sites their child uses to ensure they are not on a Web site that does not require a parent’s consent.

   Children also have responsibilities the parents need to make sure their children understand before they start using the Internet.

   Children need to know they should never give out their last name, home address or telephone numbers in chat rooms, on bulletin boards or to on-line pen pals.

   Users should never tell other children their screen name, user ID or password.

   Children need to read the privacy policy and discuss it with their parents before giving out any information.

   They should talk to their parents about the sites they are visiting and surf the Internet with their parents if they are available.

   Children should also know that Web sites must get parental consent before collecting their information, their parents can have any information deleted from the Web site and sites are not supposed to collect more information than is needed for the child to participate in the activity.

   Parents should inform their children what information they are and are not allowed to give out. Parents should also make sure their children know to leave a site that makes them uncomfortable or asks for unnecessary information.

   For more information on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, visit www.ftc.gov or www.kidsprivacy.com.