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Select four or five popular kids' sites from the Center for Media Education list, Most Popular Children's Web Sites. As you visit each site, use the following checklist to record any online activities that may infringe on children's privacy.
What marketing techniques are used to collect information?
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Online registration forms |
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Quizzes & surveys |
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Contests |
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E-cards |
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Chat rooms |
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Cookie files |
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Other activities |
What information must children submit to participate in various activities on the site?
Online registration
forms
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| Quizzes & surveys |
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| Contests |
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| E-cards |
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| Chat rooms |
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| Other activities |
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Other important privacy questions are:
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Is any of the registration information available to others? Who? |
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Does any personal information appear in the chat postings? |
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Does the site attempt to obtain verifiable parental consent prior to the child releasing personal information? If so, how is this done? |
Where Cookie files are used, note the following:
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Does the site clearly state what information is tracked, and how it will be used? |
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Are you offered the option of disabling Cookies? |
Privacy Policy
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Is it easy to access? |
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Is it clearly stated? |
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Does it detail what information is collected from children and how this information will be used? |
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Does it adhere to the self-regulatory guidelines of the Children's Advertising Review Unit or the Canadian Association of Internet Providers? |
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Does it outline the company's procedures and safeguards to protect children's privacy on the site? |
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Does it explain how parents can change or delete any data collected from their children? |
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Does it provide contact information for the company hosting the Web site, including an e-mail address, company name, phone number and street address? |
Compare the sites you have visited and discuss which you consider to be the most respectful of children's privacy.
