Best examples of children's online privacy policy disclaimers (with real 2024 guidance)

Real‑world examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers

Instead of starting with theory, let’s look straight at practical wording you can adapt. These examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers are drawn from common patterns used by major platforms and updated to reflect 2024–2025 expectations.

Here is a sample age‑restriction disclaimer you’ll see on many general‑audience sites:

“Our Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will delete that information from our systems. Parents who believe that we might have collected information from their child can contact us at privacy@example.com.”

That short paragraph does several things at once: it sets an age boundary, disclaims intentional collection, promises deletion, and gives parents a contact path. When you review other examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers from large U.S. companies, you’ll see this same structure repeated again and again because it maps directly to COPPA expectations.

Here’s another commonly used pattern for apps that do target children:

“Because our Services are designed for use by children, we collect only the minimum information needed to operate the app, such as a username that does not identify your child in the real world. We do not request or require your child’s full name, home address, phone number, or precise location. We use a parent’s email address solely to provide required notices and obtain verifiable parental consent as required by law.”

This kind of example of a children’s privacy disclaimer goes beyond a simple age statement and explains what is collected, what is not, and why.

Examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers by scenario

Different products need different styles of disclaimers. The best examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers are tailored to the service, the audience, and the data actually collected.

1. General‑audience website that might attract kids

Think of a recipe blog, sports news site, or ecommerce store. Kids might visit, but they’re not the primary audience. In 2024, many such sites use language similar to this:

“Our website and services are intended for a general audience and are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information as defined by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@example.com so we can delete it.”

This is one of the simplest examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers, but it still:

• References COPPA (which the U.S. Federal Trade Commission enforces: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-six-step-compliance-plan-your-business)
• States the age cutoff
• Offers a clear path for parents

2. Educational platform used in schools (K–12)

Ed‑tech platforms working with schools face heavier scrutiny, especially after years of concern about student data monetization. A stronger example of a disclaimer for a K–12 platform might say:

“We provide online educational services to schools and districts. When we collect personal information from students under 13, we do so only with authorization from the school or district, which may act as the parent’s agent for COPPA purposes. We use student information only to provide and improve our educational services, and we do not sell student personal information or use it for targeted advertising.”

Better examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers for education services also explain data retention and deletion, for instance:

“Student records are retained only for as long as the student has an active account or as required by the school or applicable law. Parents and guardians can request access to or deletion of their child’s information through their school administrator.”

This tracks guidance from U.S. resources such as the Department of Education’s student privacy site (https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/).

3. Kids’ mobile game with in‑app purchases

Mobile games aimed at kids are a regulatory hot zone in 2024–2025, especially around ads and in‑app purchases. Here’s an example of a stronger disclaimer:

“Our game is intended for children and families. We collect limited information, such as device identifiers and gameplay activity, to operate and improve the game. We do not collect your child’s full name, email address, or precise location. Some features, such as in‑app purchases, are accessible only through the app store’s parent‑controlled payment tools. We do not show behaviorally targeted advertising based on a child’s activity across different apps or websites.”

This type of example of a children’s privacy disclaimer addresses three sensitive areas: personal data, money, and ads. Regulators in the U.S., UK, and EU are watching all three closely.

4. Social platform with a minimum age requirement

Many social and messaging platforms now blend COPPA requirements with higher internal age thresholds (13, 16, or even 18). A realistic 2024 example looks like this:

“You must be at least 13 years old (or older where required by law) to create an account. We do not knowingly allow children under 13 to register or submit personal information. If we become aware that a user is under 13, we will close the account and delete associated personal information, unless we are legally required to retain it.”

Some of the best examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers for social platforms also address teen‑specific safeguards:

“For teen users, certain features—such as public profile discoverability and direct messaging from unknown adults—are restricted by default to support safer use.”

That second paragraph isn’t strictly about COPPA, but it reflects the broader move toward “youth‑appropriate design” seen in places like the UK’s Age Appropriate Design Code (https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/childrens-code-hub/).

5. Health or wellness app used by families

Health data is sensitive for anyone, but especially for children. A family‑oriented wellness app might include a disclaimer like this:

“Our Services may be used by parents or guardians to track health and wellness information about their children. We collect this information from the parent or guardian, not directly from the child. Parents are responsible for ensuring that they have the authority to provide their child’s information. We do not use children’s health data for advertising or share it with third parties for their own marketing purposes.”

This is an example of a children’s privacy disclaimer that recognizes both COPPA and health‑privacy expectations inspired by guidance from agencies like the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html), even if HIPAA does not formally apply.

6. Smart toy or connected device

Internet‑connected toys and home devices raise real‑world privacy concerns—audio recording, geolocation, voice profiles. A more detailed example of a disclaimer for a smart toy could read:

“Our connected toy can be used by children under 13 under the supervision of a parent or guardian. We collect limited information, such as audio commands and usage logs, to operate the device. Before activating online features, we obtain verifiable parental consent, for example, through a small parent‑completed transaction or signed consent form. Audio recordings are processed to respond to commands and are not used to build marketing profiles for your child. Parents can review and delete their child’s recordings at any time through the parent dashboard.”

This is one of the more advanced examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers because it:

• Explains the consent mechanism
• Describes the data in plain language
• Gives parents a clear control panel

Key elements that strong children’s privacy disclaimers share

Looking across the best examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers, several patterns show up repeatedly.

Clear age boundaries
Whether you use “under 13,” “under 16,” or “under 18,” your disclaimer should say exactly who it covers. Vague terms like “young users” are harder to defend.

Plain‑English descriptions of data collection
Real examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers avoid jargon. Instead of “persistent identifiers,” they say “device IDs and cookies that help us keep you signed in and measure app performance.”

Specifics on parental consent
COPPA expects “verifiable parental consent” before collecting personal information from kids under 13. Strong examples include:

• Parent email confirmation with follow‑up verification
• Small credit‑card transaction by an adult
• Signed consent forms through a school or district

The disclaimer should say which method you use, not just repeat the legal phrase.

Limits on advertising and selling data
In 2024–2025, regulators are increasingly skeptical of targeted advertising to kids. That’s why many examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers now include explicit statements such as:

“We do not sell children’s personal information, and we do not show behaviorally targeted advertising based on a child’s activity across different websites or apps.”

Parental access, correction, and deletion
COPPA gives parents the right to review and delete their child’s data. Good disclaimers explain how:

“Parents and guardians can review, correct, or delete their child’s personal information by contacting us at privacy@example.com or through the parent dashboard in the app.”

This kind of example of a children’s privacy disclaimer makes it clear that parents have practical control, not just theoretical rights.

2024–2025 trends shaping children’s privacy disclaimers

Children’s privacy is not static. As of 2024–2025, several trends are changing how companies draft these policies and the examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers you’ll see in the wild.

1. Higher age thresholds and teen‑focused protections
Even though COPPA centers on under‑13s, new state laws and international rules are pushing platforms to think about teens. California’s Age‑Appropriate Design Code (currently under legal challenge but still influential) and similar proposals in other states encourage:

• Stronger age‑assurance measures
• Defaults that limit public sharing for minors
• Restrictions on profiling and targeted ads to young users

You’ll see this reflected in updated disclaimers that mention “children and teens” or “users under 18,” not just “children under 13.”

2. Global alignment beyond COPPA
If your service reaches Europe, the UK, or other regions, you can’t rely only on COPPA. The EU’s GDPR and the UK’s children’s code expect “privacy by design” for kids. The best examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers now:

• Explain data minimization (collecting only what’s needed)
• Describe child‑friendly features, like limited data sharing
• Use language that older children can understand

3. AI, personalization, and profiling
As more apps and games use AI to personalize experiences, disclaimers increasingly mention automated decision‑making. For example:

“We use automated tools to recommend content and personalize your child’s in‑app experience based on their gameplay activity. We do not use children’s data to create marketing profiles or target advertising outside of our Services.”

That kind of example of a children’s privacy disclaimer acknowledges AI without overwhelming parents with technical details.

4. Transparency about third‑party SDKs and analytics
Regulators have repeatedly flagged hidden data flows through ad networks and analytics SDKs in kids’ apps. In response, newer examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers:

• Name categories of third parties (analytics providers, cloud hosting, content delivery networks)
• Explain what data is shared and why
• Clarify that third parties cannot use children’s data for their own marketing

For instance:

“We use third‑party service providers to host our Services and measure usage. These providers may collect device identifiers and usage information on our behalf and are contractually prohibited from using children’s information for their own advertising purposes.”

How to adapt these examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers to your service

Copy‑pasting from another site is risky. The best approach is to treat these real examples as building blocks and then tailor them.

Start by mapping your data practices:

• Do you intend to serve children, or are they incidental visitors?
• What data do you collect directly from users (names, emails, photos, messages)?
• What data is collected automatically (IP addresses, device IDs, location, usage logs)?
• Which third parties receive children’s data, and for what purpose?

Once you have that map, you can draft customized wording. For example, if you run a kids’ learning app that uses avatars and progress tracking, your disclaimer might say:

“Children can create a nickname and choose an avatar to use in the app. We recommend that children do not use their real names or photos. We track lesson progress and in‑app achievements to personalize learning and show parents how their child is doing. We do not allow children to share personal contact information with other users through the app.”

That’s an example of a children’s privacy disclaimer that actually reflects how the app works—not just the law in the abstract.

When in doubt, benchmark yourself against real examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers from:

• Large, well‑known kids’ brands and platforms
• School districts and universities with strong privacy reputations
• Guidance from regulators like the FTC or the UK Information Commissioner’s Office

And remember: policy text is only one piece. If your app says “no behavioral ads for kids” but your ad SDK is quietly doing the opposite, the disclaimer won’t protect you.

FAQ: examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers

Q1: Can you give a short example of a children’s online privacy policy disclaimer for a general site?
Here is a concise example of a disclaimer you might adapt:

“Our Services are intended for a general audience and are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us without parental consent, please contact us at privacy@example.com, and we will delete the information.”

You would then expand this in your full privacy policy with more detail on data types, consent, and parental rights.

Q2: Do I need different examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers for different countries?
Often, yes. COPPA covers U.S. users under 13, while laws like GDPR in the EU and UK set different default ages of consent (often 16, with some countries allowing lower ages). Many companies write a global baseline policy, then add region‑specific sections or notes. At minimum, your policy should be accurate for the countries where you actively market or have a significant user base.

Q3: Are pop‑up notices enough, or do I still need policy disclaimers?
Pop‑ups and in‑app notices are helpful, especially for getting parental consent, but regulators still expect a stable, accessible privacy policy. The best examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers appear both in the main policy and in shorter, context‑specific notices (for example, a parent consent screen or an account‑creation flow).

Q4: Where should I place my children’s privacy disclaimer?
Most sites include a dedicated “Children’s Privacy” or “Children’s Information” section within the main privacy policy. Some services aimed at kids also provide a simplified, kid‑friendly version. What matters is that parents can find it quickly—no hiding it behind multiple clicks.

Q5: Is it enough to say “we don’t knowingly collect data from kids”?
That line appears in many examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers, but on its own it’s rarely enough. Regulators may expect you to take reasonable steps to avoid collecting children’s data where you say you do not. That can include age gates, content design choices, and follow‑up when you discover underage users.

This isn’t legal advice, and you should talk with a qualified attorney about your specific service. But by studying and adapting these real‑world examples of children’s online privacy policy disclaimers, you can get much closer to a policy that actually matches what you do—before a regulator, school district, or parent forces the issue.