BBB Tip: Is the Santa app safe? You should check twice.
Published on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 4:59 p.m.
From the Better Business Bureau:
Apple’s App Store and Google Play offer a variety of holiday-themed apps.
Kids can live video chat with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed his reindeer, monitor Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve, and complete their Christmas wish list. You can also tell. It’s clear that apps will continue to play an important role during the holiday season.
However, before allowing your child to download an app, it’s important to understand the data that may be collected and establish appropriate permission settings.
The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) recommends keeping these tips in mind.
Know your privacy rights
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) gives parents control over who collects information from their children online. COPPA applies to all mobile apps and websites (or portions thereof) directed to children. COPPA is designed to ensure that a parent affirmatively consents to the collection of personal information from her children under 13 years of age prior to collection.
Personal information may include your name and address, email address, photo, and precise geolocation.
Tips for parents:
Here are some improved guidelines for a safer and more informed app selection process.
● Check your privacy policy: Responsible apps designed for children should provide clear and easily accessible privacy policies. Apps and websites provide a link to their privacy policy in their app store or home page. If you can’t find a privacy policy, you should think carefully about whether to download the app, as this is a warning sign that its privacy and data collection practices may not be COPPA compliant. A comprehensive privacy policy should include information about who collects personal data, the types of data collected, the purposes for which it is used, storage procedures, data access, parental rights, and opt-out options.
● Understand Data Collection: Children’s Online Services may not collect photos, videos, or audio recordings from children under 13 years of age without parental consent.
Apps also require parental approval before children publicly share personal information. Before your child downloads an app, use resources such as Apple’s Privacy Details section of the App Store to find out what kind of data may be collected.
● Set permission controls: Many free apps may include in-app purchases that children can access if they download the app with parental consent. Make sure your child’s device requires a password for each download.
● Be wary of free apps: Most free apps tend to have more ads than apps that charge a small fee. Free apps, including educational apps, may incorporate deceptive or inappropriate advertising practices. Advertisements can be frequent and mandatory to progress through the game, and in some cases may entice children to purchase in-game items. Apps aimed at both children and parents may display ads aimed at older audiences. Even free apps that don’t display ads may collect data for future ad targeting. Adjust your device settings to reduce inappropriate ad targeting. To avoid hidden ad targeting, be sure to adjust your iOS or Android device settings.
● Think before you download: Be careful when downloading apps, as some free apps may contain malware. To keep your devices safe, make sure your app store page includes a privacy policy link, contact information, and publisher address details.
Shoddy design or imitations of famous characters can indicate potential problems, so use common sense when evaluating an app’s reliability.
● Read reviews: Services like Common Sense Media can help you decide whether an app’s content is appropriate for your child.
By following these guidelines, you can make more informed decisions when choosing apps for your child and ensure that your child’s online experience is safe and enjoyable.