Digital Privacy
Data collection, parental rights, app audits, and protecting your child's digital footprint.
Almost every app, game, and smart device your child uses collects some amount of data about them — location, voice recordings, browsing behavior, contacts, even how long they hesitate before tapping a button. Most of it is disclosed somewhere in a privacy policy that almost no one reads. This hub is where we translate that fine print into plain language: what's actually being collected, who has the legal right to see and delete it, and how to run a real audit of the apps and devices in your house without needing a background in law or engineering.
Two things are true at once here. First, you have more legal leverage than you probably think — U.S. federal law gives parents specific, enforceable rights over data collected from children. Second, most of that leverage only matters if you actually use it: request deletion, review permissions, and treat "free" apps with the scrutiny they deserve when your child, not money, is what's actually being monetized.
Start here if you're short on time
- If you want to know your legal rights first, read What Parents Can Request and Delete — it covers COPPA, state law, and exactly how to send a request.
- If you want to check what's already being collected, run through How to Audit Apps for Data Collection — a repeatable checklist you can do in about 20 minutes.
- If a specific app or game feels off, use Red Flags in Apps and Games and Recognizing Privacy Red Flags to evaluate it quickly.
Digital Privacy — Common Questions
Do I actually have a legal right to my child's data?
Yes, within limits. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) covers online services directed at children under 13 and requires verifiable parental consent, plus a right to review and request deletion of collected data. For teens 13 and older, COPPA doesn't apply directly, but several states have passed their own children's and teen privacy laws with additional protections. See What Parents Can Request and Delete for the full breakdown.
How long does a privacy audit actually take?
A meaningful first pass — checking permissions on the five or six apps your child uses most — takes about 20 minutes using the checklist in How to Audit Apps for Data Collection. A full audit including privacy-policy review and data-request follow-ups takes longer, but you don't need to do the full version to get real value the first time.
If an app is free, does that mean my child's data is the product?
Not always, but it's a reasonable question to ask every time. Free apps generally cover their costs through advertising, data licensing, or upselling a paid tier — and any of those models can mean more data collection than a paid alternative would require. It's worth asking, app by app, what the business model actually is before assuming "free" means "no cost."
What if a company ignores my deletion request?
Document every request and response. If a company covered by COPPA doesn't respond or refuses unreasonably, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov) or your state attorney general's consumer protection office. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation.
Should I audit smart home and voice devices the same way as apps?
Yes, and it's easy to overlook them since they don't feel like "apps." Smart speakers, connected toys, and video doorbells often collect audio, video, or location data continuously rather than only when actively used. Smart Home Device Privacy Risks for Children covers the specific settings worth checking on these devices.