What is the primary goal of COPPA?

The primary goal of COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, is to ensure children’s online safety and privacy. This federal law was enacted to protect children under the age of 13 by giving parents control over what information is collected from their children online. It mandates that websites and online services directed towards children must obtain parental consent before collecting any personal information. This includes details such as names, addresses, email addresses, and even persistent identifiers like cookies.

By establishing these requirements, COPPA aims to create a safer internet environment for children, ensuring that their private information is not misused or exploited, which is a critical concern in today's digital landscape. This law is particularly relevant in the context of the increasing amount of time children spend online and the risks that come with data collection and privacy violations.

Promoting internet use, encouraging educational content, or regulating online marketing strategies do not directly address the core objective of protecting children's privacy, which is why they are not aligned with the fundamental purpose of COPPA.