Children's privacy rules are strict and often misunderstood. If your product can be used by kids, you need a clear approach to age verification and parental consent.
When COPPA Applies
COPPA applies to services directed to children under 13 or that knowingly collect personal data from them. The definition of "directed to children" is broader than many teams expect.
Age Gates
Age gates can reduce risk, but they must be designed carefully. A simple drop-down with no validation is not enough if your audience is clearly kids.
Parental Consent
For covered services, you must obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal data. Common methods include signed consent forms or verified payment methods.
Global Requirements
Other regions have similar rules, such as the UK Age Appropriate Design Code and EU member state rules on child consent ages.
Designing for Trust
Explain your approach in plain language. Parents want clarity about what data is collected and why.
Bottom Line
If kids may use your product, plan early. It is easier to build age-aware workflows than to retrofit them after launch.