COPPA in Privacy Law: Framework, Regulations, and Enforcement
Publication Date
2025
Presentation Length
15 minutes
College
Jack C. Massey College of Business
Department
Management
Student Level
Undergraduate
SPARK Category
Knowledge
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Cheryl Black
WELL Core Type
Intellectual Wellness
Metadata/Fulltext
Fulltext
SPARK Session
9:15-10:15 am – Ayers 1037
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), enacted in 1998 and effective since 2000, is a key U.S. privacy law designed to protect the personal data of children under 13. It regulates how online services and websites collect, use, and disclose children's information, covering identifiers such as names, addresses, email addresses, geolocation data, and multimedia content. COPPA applies to child-directed websites and platforms, as well as general-audience sites with knowledge of child users. However, certain entities, such as non-commercial organizations and sites collecting only persistent identifiers for internal operations, are exempt.
Under COPPA, parents are granted rights to control their children's data, including the ability to access, review, and delete collected information. Businesses must comply by obtaining verifiable parental consent, minimizing data collection, and ensuring security measures to protect children’s information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces COPPA, with violators facing civil penalties of up to $50,120 per infraction, legal injunctions, and reputational damage. Remedies for non-compliance include data deletion mandates, enhanced privacy protections, and regulatory audits. While COPPA does not provide direct compensation for affected individuals, enforcement actions may lead to settlements benefiting impacted users.
Recommended Citation
Cardone, Natalie; Wille, Kaitlyn; and Dean, Mallory, "COPPA in Privacy Law: Framework, Regulations, and Enforcement" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 69.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/69
Comments
Our presentation is part of the class presentation on privacy
law. Our talk is about 3-5 minutes.
There will be a Q&A time reserved for all privacy laws
presented at the end of the session.