FTC Keeps COPPA Rules Unchanged, Emphasizes Parent Education

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (“COPPA”) remains unchanged; it was last updated in January 2024. The rule continues to require child‑targeted websites and apps to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 years old. No new regulatory language has been added or amended in the latest review cycle. ¹

FTC officials said they will not alter any substantive provisions of COPPA but are increasing efforts to educate parents about online privacy concerns affecting their children. Consumer awareness programs run by the agency aim to help families understand what types of data can be collected and how platforms use that information. These initiatives include webinars, informational guides, and outreach through partner organizations specializing in digital literacy for young users. ²¹

Early lobbying by large technology firms resisted requiring verifiable parental consent forms, arguing such requirements would stifle innovation. Those battles shaped how online services interact with kids’ data today, leading to the current framework that balances platform flexibility with mandatory safeguards. The FTC’s decision to keep the core rule intact reflects an ongoing preference for incremental change rather than sweeping overhaul. ¹

The emphasis on parent education signals a shift toward placing responsibility back onto caregivers while avoiding direct regulation of platform behavior. This strategy aligns with recent policy trends favoring user‑centric controls over industry mandates. However, consumer advocacy groups argue that without stronger enforcement mechanisms many child‑targeted sites may still collect sensitive data under ambiguous circumstances. Their stance underscores the tension between protecting minors’ personal information and allowing businesses to innovate within regulatory boundaries.

COPPA’s unchanged status means parents and guardians must remain vigilant about which apps or websites they allow their children to use. The rule remains the primary federal safeguard for children's privacy online, but its effectiveness depends largely on awareness and compliance from both providers and families. The FTC’s expanded educational outreach seeks to bridge that gap, ensuring caregivers are equipped to make informed decisions about digital tools for their children.