On District letterhead:

Re:    Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This letter is being sent as part of the District’s continuing effort to educate parents and students about privacy protection and Internet use that occurs outside of the protections required for use of educational technology in school. 

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) gives parents/guardians control over what information companies can collect from their children online. However, not all companies are transparent about what data a mobile app or website collects, who will have access to that data, and how it will be used. Allowing your child access to games and other seemingly harmless applications on a smartphone or computer risks his or her exposure to intrusive marketing and access to personal information.

The following suggestions may help keep children from being bombarded by unwanted advertising, from making unwanted purchases and from disclosing personal information and location:

• Talk to your child early and often about online behavior, safety, and security, and encourage your child to make good choices.

• Be selective about the online applications and websites that you let your child access. Try the app or website yourself to check for advertising messages and/or social networking and purchase options before allowing your child access. Pay particular attention to apps and websites that would allow your child to receive direct messages, video chats, file uploads and/or to interact with users anonymously. These types of features are frequently used by online child predators.

• Select safe activities that do not require access to the Internet or an application.

• Make certain that the ability to make online purchases is password protected.

• Set up rules and consequences explaining that all purchases made via a smartphone or computer must have parent/guardian consent.

• Caution children about the use of social networking and other websites and/or apps that can pinpoint locations.

• Adjust privacy settings and use parental controls for online games, apps, and social media sites. 

• Monitor computer and smartphone use whenever and wherever possible.

For more information on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and protecting your child online, please see the following links:

consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0031-protecting-your...

consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0002-parents

justice.gov/criminal/criminal-ceos/keepin... 

Sincerely,

Updated:    January 4, 2021

    August 21, 2025