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Under COPPA, how do I know if my channel is “directed to children”? Since the FTC and New York Attorney General announced their September 2019 settlement with YouTube for violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule, we’ve heard that question from channel owners – sometimes called content creators. If you’re a channel owner who shares content on user-generated platforms like YouTube, read on for FTC staff guidance about the applicability of the COPPA Rule and how those covered by the Rule can comply with its requirements.

The FTC action against YouTube and Google

The lawsuit against YouTube and Google alleged that the companies illegally collected personal information from children, in violation of COPPA. According to the complaint, the companies collected that information from viewers of child-directed YouTube channels in the form of persistent identifiers that track users across the Internet, but didn’t notify parents and get their consent. To settle the case, YouTube and Google agreed to create a mechanism so that channel owners can designate when the videos they upload to YouTube are – to use the words of COPPA – “directed to children.” The purpose of this requirement is to make sure that both YouTube and channel owners are complying with the law.

A COPPA recap

That provision of the settlement has raised questions among content creators about how to determine if what they upload to YouTube or other platforms is “directed to children.” The answer requires a brief summary of some key COPPA provisions. Passed by Congress in 1998, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act is a federal law that protects the privacy of children under 13. COPPA’s foundational principle is one that most people can agree on: Parents – not kids, companies, platforms, or content creators – should be in control when it comes to information collected from children online.

The FTC enforces the law through the COPPA Rule. In general, COPPA requires operators of commercial websites and online services that are directed to children (more about that in a minute) to provide notice and obtain verifiable parental consent before they collect personal information from kids under 13.

The COPPA Rule defines “personal information” to include obvious things like a child’s first and last name or home address, but that’s not all. Under COPPA, personal information also covers what are called persistent identifiers – behind-the-scenes code that recognizes a user over time and across different sites or online services. That could be an IP address or a cookie when it’s used to serve targeted ads. Keep in mind that an operator also might be collecting personal information through an open comment field on its site or service that allows a user under 13 to make personal information publicly available. For example, think of a comment like this on a child-directed site: My name is Mary Jones from Springfield. I love this video!

How COPPA applies to channel owners

So how does COPPA apply to channel owners who upload their content to YouTube or another third-party platform? COPPA applies in the same way it would if the channel owner had its own website or app. If a channel owner uploads content to a platform like YouTube, the channel might meet the definition of a “website or online service” covered by COPPA, depending on the nature of the content and the information collected. If the content is directed to children and if the channel owner, or someone on its behalf (for example, an ad network), collects personal information from viewers of that content (for example, through a persistent identifier that tracks a user to serve interest-based ads), the channel is covered by COPPA. Once COPPA applies, the operator must provide notice, obtain verifiable parental consent, and meet COPPA’s other requirements. For information on how to comply with COPPA, please visit the FTC’s COPPA page for our Six-Step Compliance Plan for Your Business.

How channel owners can determine if their content is directed to children

Under COPPA, there is no one-size-fits-all answer about what makes a site directed to children, but we can offer some guidance. To be clear, your content isn’t considered “directed to children” just because some children may see it. However, if your intended audience is kids under 13, you’re covered by COPPA and have to honor the Rule’s requirements.

The Rule sets out additional factors the FTC will consider in determining whether your content is child-directed:

  • the subject matter,
  • visual content,
  • the use of animated characters or child-oriented activities and incentives,
  • the kind of music or other audio content,
  • the age of models,
  • the presence of child celebrities or celebrities who appeal to children,
  • language or other characteristics of the site,
  • whether advertising that promotes or appears on the site is directed to children, and
  • competent and reliable empirical evidence about the age of the audience.

The determination of whether content is child-directed will be clearer in some contexts than in others, but we can share some general rules of thumb. First, unless you’re affirmatively targeting kids, there are many subject matter categories where you don’t have to worry about COPPA. For example, if your videos are about traditionally adult activities like employment, finances, politics, home ownership, home improvement, or travel, you’re probably not covered unless your content is geared toward kids. The same would be true for videos aimed at high school or college students. On the other hand, if your content includes traditional children’s pastimes or activities, it may be child-directed. For example, the FTC recently determined that an online dress-up game was child-directed.

Second, just because your video has bright colors or animated characters doesn’t mean you’re automatically covered by COPPA. While many animated shows are directed to kids, the FTC recognizes there can be animated programming that appeals to everyone.

Third, the complaint in the YouTube case offers some examples of channels the FTC considered to be directed to children. For example, many content creators explicitly stated in the “About” section of their YouTube channel that their intended audience was children under 13. Other channels made similar statements in communications with YouTube. In addition, many of the channels featured popular animated children’s programs or showed kids playing with toys or participating in other child-oriented activities. Some of the channel owners also enabled settings that made their content appear when users searched for the names of popular toys or animated characters. Want to see the FTC’s analysis in context? Read pages 10-14 of the YouTube complaint.

Finally, if you’ve applied the factors listed in the COPPA Rule and still wonder if your content is “directed to children,” it might help to consider how others view your content and content similar to yours. Has your channel been reviewed on sites that evaluate content for kids? Is your channel – or channels like yours – mentioned in blogs for parents of young children or in media articles about child-directed content? Have you surveyed your users or is there other empirical evidence about the age of your audience?

What are the possible penalties for violating COPPA?

The Rule allows for civil penalties of up to $42,530 per violation, but the FTC considers a number of factors in determining the appropriate amount, including a company’s financial condition and the impact a penalty could have on its ability to stay in business. While Google and YouTube paid $170 million, in another COPPA case settled this year, the operator paid a total civil penalty of $35,000.

Isn’t the FTC taking another look at the COPPA Rule?

Yes, the FTC is currently evaluating the Rule in light of rapid changes in technology. If you would like to comment on the effectiveness of the COPPA Rule and whether changes are needed, the FTC has extended the comment deadline to December 9, 2019.

Where can channel owners go for more information?

A look at the factors in the COPPA Rule will help most channel owners determine if their content is directed to children. If you’re still unsure about how COPPA applies to you, consider contacting an attorney or consulting with one of the COPPA Safe Harbor programs – self-regulatory groups that offer guidance on how operators can comply with the law. Visit the FTC’s website for a list of currently approved Safe Harbor organizations. For more resources, visit the FTC’s Children’s Privacy page for our Six-Step Compliance Plan for Your Business.

 
 
 

Guest
January 07, 2020
This question may be stupid, but can I turn the COPPA rule off? I'm not a child anymore and neither a parent. I mean, I get the point of it but the only thing that's bothering me is that when you are listening for example to a Disney song and minimize the window, it automatically stops.
Guest
January 07, 2020
Nice
Anonymous
January 07, 2020
The rules are very vague on what’s kids content and what isn’t. If you label your channel as not for kids than why are you still covered by coppa. Just because kids play games doesn’t mean that only kids play games. Adults like things that kids like because it gives them joy. Labeling your channel for kids is basically a death sentence as the channel labeled under kids content will basically become a ghost and will lose 90% of Ad revenue which is insane as almost every single channel on YouTube uses YouTube as a job and only source of income. YouTubers don’t even have control over if kids watch their content or not. When you also label your channel kid friendly comments are disabled which prevents improving your channel to become better. I know you guys at FTC are reevaluating the rules to suit the current generation as you probably saw the comments about the rules being put of touched and a thank you for that. I just want to point out the flaws with this law and the changes as if they stay the same currently a lot of people will lose their jobs and will go homeless and you guys probably don’t want another homeless crisis. Also tell YouTube to put in a general audience option as most videos are made for every one, not just adults or just children. If this law is done right it could probably help YouTube but the law in its current state won’t last until the middle of 2020. Also one last thing make sure clickbait YouTubers are covered buy this law because they’re also making money off of a child’s gullibleness. Thank you for reading my comment.
Claudiu Rad
January 08, 2020

In reply to by Anonymous

You're right. A lot of channels I've subscribed are marketed as kids content, but I'm adult and I'm watching that stuff. And most of the viewers of those channels are adults not children
Guest
January 07, 2020
I don't make things "for kids". Stop forcing my channel to lie. My content is for me.
Aniket patil
January 07, 2020
Thanks for yotube
Edi
January 07, 2020
Good
Guest
January 07, 2020
The videos I make are very simple-minded, and will not affect the minds of children and people in general. I believe it
Guest
January 07, 2020
I have seen lots of videos that are marked as 'created for kids' but the videos have a serious topic, what can I do so as to Say a video is not for kids? In my case, the videos are related to the carnivals of my city, that is to Say, something cultural and adults are more interested on ir, but as on the videos very colourful clothes are used, you say ir is for kids.
Guest
January 07, 2020
This Not Made for Kids and ok
Guest
January 07, 2020
I don’t and can’t find anything that addresses my channel. My channel is for all ages, like 0-150yrs old. My channel is my dogs channel and we keep it family friendly... no profanity, Nudity, sexual contents , but it also does have toys or cartoons. We have people of all ages watching their channel, so how do I classify it? Youtube/google or whatever company replies, don’t copy past a long technical answer, just lay it out flat and simple, like others that asked you to but you didn’t listen. This is stupid that like someone else said, we have to pay the price for what the CEO’s did
Guest
January 07, 2020
My videos is content for childrens
Guest
January 07, 2020
Explain to me exactly what I'm supposed to do if my videos could be considered "for kids" but I don't make them for kids, I don't like kids, and I don't want them watching my stuff or even existing on the internet at all.
Guest
January 07, 2020
Please i can't comment on my videos because there not kid related videos that i post
Apryl
January 07, 2020
Why are some minecraft channel's under COPPA? Cant that both be for kids and not just for kids. I usually browse while watching but now some channels I can't do that. I hate it bc now I can't do what I usually do. It's annoying bc I have to figure out what I can watch while browsing now.
Guest
January 07, 2020
frankly I do not see why you have to deactivate the comments then I see no danger in the comments for children
Guest
January 07, 2020
Why COPPA blocks the miniplay on YouTube app while watching
Zaki
January 07, 2020
Good effert
Guest
January 07, 2020
No I don't like it
Guest
January 07, 2020
I JUST discovered this when I tried to save a video tutorial on creating miniatures to one of my playlists. I find the whole issue to be rather absurd. Some of the miniatures are for 'dollhouses', yes, but we're not talking about Barbie here. It is doubtful they would be used as 'toys' based on the materials used, the 'into the mouth' size, and the delicacy of the creations. And except for a prodigy with highly advanced fine motor skills and infinite patience, the creation of these tiny works of art would prove far too challenging.
Guest
January 07, 2020
I don’t know what’s wrong with it because I’m trying to do is make it work in order to make this video made it for kids but I’m sorry for struggle fixing that problems. But thank you for help
Mackenzie
January 07, 2020
I believe that the government should not be parenting the children! Parents should. Also, what if things that appeal to children also appeal to adults, like animated characters.
Guest
January 08, 2020
Nice point
Guest
January 08, 2020
I have a son who has cerebral palsy , and I upload activities and places he goes ,so he can watch them on our smart tv as he likes to be able to show family and friends what he does , family that don’t live near us , so they can enjoy and see what he has been doing , their is nothing rude or incriminating about my YouTube Chanel , what do I set my mine to ? I am confused Thankyou Denise dent
Jakariya khan
January 08, 2020
Nice
Totiriana
January 08, 2020
Please tell me that whether I should keep my channel's content as "directed to kids" or not. Please! My channel is based on different bases of life. I upload drawing videos, cooking videos, emotional or inspirational stories (in written), speaking english videos etc. I don't upload any bad or sexual or slang videos at all! So, is my channel directed to kids or not?
Guest
January 08, 2020
I have no kids. I have an old account. But i can't use my YouTube. What i can do?
Guest
January 08, 2020
How can I miniplay the kids video if it blocked by COPPA and YouTube?
Guest
January 08, 2020
Yes this is for kids
Addey Dhanuk
January 08, 2020
Hi FTC yes this for all n kids also thanks
Naman Nirmal P…
January 08, 2020
Why you’ve turned off these! I don’t like this!
Claudiu Rad
January 08, 2020
A lot of YouTube channels have comments and playlists and all other stuff disabled now because of this. I'm 30 years old but I like animations, Roblox, Minecraft and a lot of kids related stuff and I should be allowed to use these services. There should be a way to verify your age when accessing YouTube instead of blocking all content that could appeal to childrens. This is a stupid law.
Guest
January 08, 2020
If there's an animation of a video game in a channel and that animation contains blood,does that animation be for childrens that are under 13 age ?
Guest
January 12, 2020

In reply to by Guest

The updated rules say that if your video has something more intended for mature audiences (blood,gore profanity etc..) it is not for kids, so your video should be fine and apply for “not for kids”
Guest
January 08, 2020
Coppa leave YouTube alone
Guest
January 08, 2020
This is right frustrating. I have encountered quite a few videos in the past week that I cannot save to a playlist or comment upon because they are now "made for kids"..whether their creators intended or not. Most are just public streaming webcams, but one was a movie review for adults regarding a kid's movie. Will channel owners be notified if/when their videos are changed to "made for kids" and will they have any recourse in marking them as "made for everyone" or otherwise before being fined? Lastly, who is ultimately making this judgement? Are we putting our channels' futures in the hands of AI-bots?
Plushy can play
January 08, 2020
why can’t I comment on kid friendly videos
Joseph Stocker
January 08, 2020
Please hire people who actually understand the internet or modern culture before writing legislation like this. This is so painfully behind the times. It also violated the first amendment even before you all decided to update it in ignorance of the current internet landscape, and now its so egregious I can't even fathom how anyone thought this was okay.
LampionManCZ
January 08, 2020
So what about gaming most games that are not made for kids, kids play these day I know they shouldn't that age restriction is there for a reason but what about those games that are not made for kids but kids play them does that count as a kids content ?
FTC Staff
January 15, 2020

In reply to by LampionManCZ

  The FTC cannot approve particular websites or online services or provide an opinion on whether a specific site or service is directed to children.

Guest
January 08, 2020
My content is not made for children. It is made for all ages. I am trying to get noticed by adults...not children.
Guest
January 08, 2020
Why the heck are they doing this to people there's a thing called "Youtube kids" why don't you use your brain and eyes to find it
Nyeh
January 08, 2020
YouTube is our home. It's our happy place. Please don't take it away. I make content using an app that is for kids (though it really should't be), and my content contains things that aren't for kids. I've seen someone say that this would still be marked as "for kids" because its made directly off a children's app. If you wanted kids to be safe, you should change the system. We have two choices. Lose what makes us continue uploading or risk getting fined. I get that your trying to make YouTube better for kids, but all your doing is making kids lose their favourite youtubers. Your intentions are good, but there's no way 12 year olds are gonna watch nursery rhymes in their free time. "We're content creators, not babysitters."
Guest
January 08, 2020
I feel that this is stupid, for different reasons, what bad things are you going to see on YouTube? Since this platform is constantly changing and it is ruining many things that were good before. I say that since I have been occupying this platform for many years, children who were born in 2000 or before, watched entertaining things and not things like a baby, to be watching what they do is already exaggerated. You will not find anything wrong with youtube, people.
Guest
January 08, 2020
What if parents want to add a "made for kids" video to a playlist so they can just turn it on for their kids to watch? They're not able to do that if the 'save to playlist" option isn't available anymore, now can they? This change isn't very good and it's too confusing and frustrating.
Guest
January 08, 2020
I would like to know why I can’t watch a video that is for kids. It said that the reason was because the Chanel was makes for kids. How do I make it for me to be able to watch the videos? Oh and I’m only 18 so I think that counts as being a child, right? I’m trying to be rude I just wanna fix this matter on my account.
Guest
January 09, 2020
Hey, uhh, COPPA is kinda good, but Us videos creator are wild about it...
Guest
January 09, 2020
my channel and my other channel ARENT DIRECTED FOR CHILDREN. YET YOU YOUTUBE KEEP SAYING IT IS.

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