Real‑world examples of children's privacy policy examples that actually work

Strong examples of children’s privacy policy examples from real organizations

When people ask for examples of children’s privacy policy examples, they’re usually looking for two things: language that regulators will accept, and explanations parents can actually understand. The best examples do both. Let’s walk through real‑world models from different sectors—apps, games, education, health, and nonprofits—and unpack what they get right.

1. App store examples of children’s privacy policy language

Mobile apps aimed at kids are under heavy scrutiny from regulators, especially under the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Some of the best examples of children’s privacy policy examples come from apps that have already been through app‑store and regulatory review.

A typical example of strong children’s privacy language in a kids’ learning app looks like this:

• It states clearly that the app is “directed to children under 13” and therefore subject to COPPA.
• It separates children’s data from adult data in the policy, instead of burying kids’ rules in a general privacy section.
• It explains that the app collects limited data (such as first name, age range, and learning progress) and uses it only to personalize lessons.
• It commits not to use children’s data for behavioral advertising and not to sell children’s data.
• It describes how a parent can review, update, or delete their child’s information.

If your organization publishes a kids’ app, these examples include the kind of language regulators now expect to see. The Federal Trade Commission’s COPPA guidance offers additional detail on what must appear in a children’s privacy notice: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/privacy-security/childrens-privacy

2. Gaming platforms: best examples of balancing safety and engagement

Games make money by keeping players engaged, but when those players are kids, privacy rules tighten. Some of the best examples of children’s privacy policy examples come from large gaming platforms that support under‑13 accounts.

Here’s what stands out in stronger gaming policies:

• Clear age‑based account tiers, where under‑13 accounts have stricter data collection and sharing limits.
• Plain‑language explanations of chat filters, friend requests, and reporting tools.
• Separate parental dashboards that let adults control who can contact their child, whether the child’s profile is searchable, and whether their gameplay can be shared.
• Straightforward statements that under‑13 users will not see personalized ads based on tracking across sites or apps.

When you’re looking for an example of effective wording, pay attention to how these platforms explain complex technical tracking (cookies, device IDs, analytics SDKs) in language a non‑technical parent can understand. That mix of legal accuracy and plain English is exactly what regulators in 2024–2025 are pushing for in enforcement actions.

3. Education and school technology: real examples from the classroom

School websites, learning management systems, and classroom apps have become a gold mine of examples of children’s privacy policy examples, because they must satisfy parents, school districts, and laws like FERPA in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Education provides detailed guidance on protecting student privacy under FERPA: https://studentprivacy.ed.gov

Typical examples include language such as:

• A clear statement that the service is used by schools on behalf of parents, and that the provider acts as a “school official” with a limited educational purpose.
• A list of data types collected about students (name, grade level, assignments, test scores, device information, IP address).
• An explanation of how long student data is retained after a course or school year ends, and how it is deleted.
• A promise not to use student data for targeted advertising or to build personal profiles unrelated to education.
• A description of how parents and eligible students can request access to, or correction of, education records.

If you’re building an EdTech product, these examples of children’s privacy policy examples are especially useful because they show how to reconcile COPPA and FERPA obligations without confusing parents or school administrators.

4. Health‑related services for kids: privacy policies with higher stakes

Any service that touches children’s health—whether it’s a symptom checker, a therapy app, or an online support platform—must think about both children’s privacy law and health privacy law.

In the U.S., that usually means COPPA plus HIPAA. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains HIPAA guidance here: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html

Some of the best examples of children’s privacy policy examples in this space do a few things very clearly:

• They separate “health information” from general account data and explain when each is covered by HIPAA.
• They explain that children’s health data is never used for advertising, and never sold.
• They describe how parents or legal guardians can authorize data sharing with pediatricians, schools, or counselors.
• They explain additional protections for sensitive topics, such as mental health or reproductive health, which have drawn extra regulatory focus in 2024–2025.

If you are drafting a policy for a children’s health app, look for a real example of language that explains HIPAA and COPPA obligations side by side. That kind of clarity is exactly what advocacy groups and regulators now expect.

5. Nonprofit and research projects: examples that prioritize transparency

Nonprofits, universities, and research institutions provide another category of examples of children’s privacy policy examples, especially when they run studies or programs involving minors.

Strong research‑oriented examples include:

• A plain‑language explanation of the research purpose and what data will be collected from children (surveys, test results, recordings).
• A statement that participation is voluntary and that parents may withdraw their child at any time.
• Details about how data is de‑identified or anonymized, and who will have access to identifiable information.
• Clear contact information for an ethics board or institutional review board (IRB) that oversees the project.

Universities and public agencies often publish these notices in accessible language, because they’re used to explaining complex topics to the public. That makes them particularly good examples of how to write for non‑lawyers while staying accurate.

6. Key elements repeated across the best examples

When you compare many examples of children’s privacy policy examples side by side, patterns start to appear. Regardless of industry, stronger policies tend to cover the same core topics in a similar way.

Across the best examples, you’ll usually find:

• A dedicated “Children’s Privacy” section with its own heading.
• A clear age threshold (often “under 13” for COPPA, and sometimes additional language for teens under 16 or under 18).
• A short explanation of what data is collected from children and why.
• A description of how parental consent is obtained, verified, and documented.
• A promise not to use children’s information for behavioral advertising or sell it to third parties.
• A procedure for parents to access, correct, or delete their child’s data.
• Contact information for privacy questions or complaints.

If your current policy doesn’t look at least this thorough when compared with these examples of children’s privacy policy examples, it’s a sign you probably need to revise it.

7. 2024–2025 trends shaping children’s privacy policies

The legal environment around kids’ data is moving quickly. When you look at newer examples of children’s privacy policy examples, you’ll see several trends that were rare even a few years ago.

7.1 Age‑appropriate design and teen privacy

Countries like the U.K. and states like California have adopted “age‑appropriate design” standards that influence how services must treat children and teens. Newer policies now:

• Explain that the service is designed with children’s best interests in mind, not just legal minimums.
• Treat teens (13–17) as a distinct group with stronger privacy defaults than adults.
• Use more plain language, shorter sentences, and headings that are easy for kids to scan.

This shift shows up clearly when you compare older policies with the best examples from 2024–2025. The tone is less legalistic and more educational.

7.2 Less tracking, more local processing

Regulators and advocacy groups have been pushing hard against extensive tracking of children across apps and websites. Some of the most current examples of children’s privacy policy examples now highlight that:

• The service does not use third‑party tracking cookies for children.
• Analytics for children’s accounts are limited and often aggregated or processed locally on the device.
• Third‑party advertising networks are either disabled entirely for kids or given only non‑identifying contextual information.

If your policy still describes broad sharing of kids’ data with ad tech partners, it will look out of step when compared with these newer examples.

7.3 Clearer global compliance statements

Because many online services are global by default, modern policies often explain how they comply with both COPPA and international rules like the EU’s GDPR‑K (which sets age thresholds between 13 and 16, depending on the country).

Recent examples include:

• Short tables or bullet sections that list age thresholds by region.
• Explanations that parental consent is required for users under the relevant local age.
• Contact details for EU or U.K. representatives where required.

This kind of transparency is increasingly common in the best examples of children’s privacy policy examples, especially for platforms with global user bases.

8. How to use these examples without copying them

It’s tempting to copy‑paste from the best examples of children’s privacy policy examples you can find online. That’s a mistake for two reasons: your data practices are different, and regulators dislike policies that don’t match reality.

A better approach is to:

• Identify 3–5 real policies from organizations similar to yours (same industry, same age group, similar features).
• Compare how they explain data collection, parental consent, and advertising.
• Use their structure and clarity as a model, but write your own descriptions of what you actually do.
• Have a privacy attorney or experienced consultant review your draft, especially if you operate in multiple countries.

Think of each example of a children’s privacy policy as a reference point, not a template. The value is in understanding how they communicate, not in copying their exact wording.

9. Practical checklist inspired by real examples

Based on all these examples of children’s privacy policy examples, here’s a practical way to pressure‑test your own policy. Read your children’s section and ask:

• Is there a clear heading that mentions children or minors?
• Does it specify the age ranges you’re talking about (under 13, under 16, under 18)?
• Would a non‑technical parent understand what data you collect and why?
• Do you explain whether you use children’s data for advertising or share it with third parties?
• Can parents easily see how to contact you, access their child’s data, or delete it?

If you can’t confidently answer “yes” to those questions, go back to some of the best examples of children’s privacy policy examples discussed above and borrow their clarity and structure—while keeping your details honest and accurate.

FAQ: Examples of children’s privacy policies, explained

Q1. Where can I find real examples of children’s privacy policy examples to model mine on?
Look at organizations similar to yours that serve kids: learning apps, kids’ games, school platforms, or children’s health tools. Focus on their “Children’s Privacy” or “Information about Children” sections. Compare several policies so you see patterns instead of relying on a single example of how to do it.

Q2. What are some best examples of children’s privacy policy language for parental consent?
Stronger examples explain exactly how consent is obtained (such as verified email, payment card verification, or school authorization), when it expires, and how parents can withdraw it. They avoid vague statements like “we may ask for consent” and instead describe a concrete process.

Q3. What should examples include for data collection from kids under 13?
Good examples of children’s privacy policy examples list the specific types of data collected (such as username, age range, learning progress, device ID) and tie each type to a purpose, like “to save progress” or “to prevent fraud.” They also state what is not collected, such as precise location or contact lists, when that’s accurate.

Q4. Can I just use a generic template as an example of a children’s privacy policy?
A generic template can help you remember topics to cover, but it rarely matches your actual data practices. Regulators expect your policy to reflect reality. Use templates and public policies as examples of structure and tone, then customize heavily.

Q5. How often should I review my children’s privacy policy?
Most organizations revisit their policy at least once a year or when they launch new features that affect kids. Because laws and enforcement priorities keep shifting, it’s smart to compare your policy regularly against newer examples of children’s privacy policy examples to see whether your approach still matches current expectations.