Who is this Seal for?

This regulatory compliance seal is intended for any online product regulated by the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and accompanying FTC Rule (COPPA Rule). COPPA applies to any website, app, or online service directed toward children or with actual knowledge that children are using its service, and generally requires verifiable parental notice and consent prior to the collection, use, or sharing of personal information from children users, unless an exception applies. Non-compliance with COPPA can result in large penalties and fines (in the millions of dollars) and severely tarnish your hard-earned reputation. This seal is ideal for the following types of products/companies.

Data-Collecting Products

Consumer-facing online products with data collection (e.g., account registration, child profiles, IAPs or subscriptions, analytics, third party advertising, photo/video uploads, voice recognition, AI features, etc.)

Social and UGC Products

Apps and websites with social or community features (e.g., virtual world, social networking, user-to-user chat or messaging, public sharing of user-generated content, live tutoring, etc.)

Connected Devices

Products with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or network connectivity (e.g., tablets, phones, smartwatches, geotracking devices, game consoles, robotics, AI toys, audio players, smart speakers, etc.)

AI-Enabled Products

Consumer-facing products with AI-powered features (e.g., chatbots, interactive toys, AI-generated media, etc.)

Big Tech and Large Enterprises

Larger corporations with additional regulatory risk (e.g., big tech companies, large platforms, etc.)

Products Targeting US Market

Companies based in the US or whose digital products attract US consumers (Although COPPA is a U.S. federal law, in today's borderless tech landscape, COPPA is still a gold standard for compliance globally)

Service Providers

Vendors servicing the kids digital space (e.g., analytics platforms, advertising services, filtering/moderation solutions, age verification or consent management platforms, AI platforms, ed-tech platforms, etc.)

Educational and Learning Products

Ed-tech products and platforms providing student learning experiences (e.g., homework apps, study tools, educational games, online courses, tutoring platforms, collaboration apps, interactive learning devices, etc.)

Benefits of This Seal

  • Annual COPPA audit reviews and remediation support
  • Prestigious kidSAFE+ COPPA CERTIFIED seal for display on qualifying products
  • Premium listing on kidSAFE member directory for qualifying products
  • COPPA Safe Harbor protection from FTC enforcement (upon certification and seal display)
  • Ongoing COPPA compliance consultations and new feature reviews with expert kidSAFE staff
  • Assists with compliance for state and international children's privacy regulations
  • Free access to member resources, including COPPA-related educational webinars and compliance guides
  • Free attendance to annual kidTECH Conferences (value of at least $595 per person)

General Seal Guidelines

Adherence to the SAFE CERTIFIED Seal guidelines, plus the following:

  • Neutral age screening mechanisms
  • Parental notice and consent procedures
  • Parental access to child's personal information
  • Data security and retention policies
  • Posting of COPPA-compliant privacy policy
  • Cooperation with kidSAFE's COPPA oversight and enforcement

Other Seals Required to Earn this Badge

SAFE CERTIFIED Seal

Process for Earning this Seal

01
Sign up and pay for membership
02
Undergo audit review to validate COPPA compliance
03
Remediate gaps with kidSAFE guidance
04
Receive certification and post seal
05
Undergo ongoing monitoring and oversight
06
Repeat process annually
+COPPA CERTIFIED

Interested in Applying for this Seal?

Please provide your company and product details below, and someone from our team will reach out to you with next steps for joining the program.