1. Understand the COPPA requirements:
To be compliant with COPPA, businesses need to understand the requirements of the law. This includes knowing what information is protected under COPPA, and how to get parental consent for collecting and using that information.
2. Review your website or service for COPPA compliance:
Businesses should review their websites and services for COPPA compliance. This includes making sure that all areas of the website or service are COPPA-friendly, and that all required procedures are followed.
3. Add a privacy policy to your website or service:
A privacy policy is essential for COPPA compliance. The policy should outline how the business collects, uses, and shares information from children, as well as how parents can access their child's information and consent to its use.
4. Make sure you have parental consent forms and procedures in place:
Parental consent forms and procedures are needed for obtaining verifiable parental consent from parents. Consent forms must include specific information about the business' data collection practices, as well as how parents can revoke consent if they change their minds.
5. Train your staff on COPPA compliance procedures:
Staff members who interact with children online should be familiar with COPPA compliance procedures. This includes knowing how to obtain parental consent, what data is protected under COPPA, and how to keep children's information safe and secure.
6. Review your data retention policies:
Data retention policies should be reviewed to ensure that they comply with COPPA requirements. This includes specifying how long personal information is kept and ensuring that it is destroyed when it is no longer needed.
7. Regularly test your website or service for COPPA compliance:
Regular testing is essential for ensuring ongoing compliance with COPPA regulations. Businesses should test their websites and services regularly to make sure that all areas are compliant, and that no unauthorized data collection is taking place.
8. Keep up to date on changes to the COPPA Rule:
The FTC updates the COPPA Rule on a regular basis, so businesses need to stay up-to-date on any changes that may affect their compliance status. The FTC provides resources such as a guide to complying with COPPA, which can help businesses stay informed about updates to the law.
9. Comply with state laws that complement COPPA:
In addition to complying with COPPA, businesses should also familiarize themselves with any state laws that may apply. Some states have laws that complement COPPA, and businesses that operate in those states need to make sure they are in compliance with both sets of regulations.
10. Seek legal counsel if you have questions about COPPA compliance:
If businesses have questions about their obligations under COPPA, they can seek legal counsel for guidance. Lawyers who are familiar with COPPA can help businesses ensure compliance with the law, and avoid any penalties for non-compliance.