Big Tech Needs to do MORE: How Do You Feel About These Ideas?

Obtaining robust parental consent is critical when dealing with your children’s data online‼️

We’re all trying to play our part & do our bit but the Tech Giants seem to pay lip service to their Duty of Care responsibilities for kids – lowering the age of consent to 13 & making that the default option on the drop downs.

Here are some methods I think  Big Tech could do to ensure  stronger parental consent that would at least make it harder to create accounts:

⛑️ Add A New Device Parental Control Feature:

Parents should be able to add to the device the fact that it is being used by a minor so all the platforms get that notification. The device is registered not each platform. Apple, Google & Microsoft create the operating systems that run nearly all our devices so that would be a simple but highly effective solution.

⛑️ Online Consent Forms: Create an online form that parents can fill out and submit to provide consent for their child to use the service. Include clear information about what data will be collected and how it will be used.

⛑️ Electronic Signatures:

Allow parents to provide consent through an electronic signature, which can be as simple as typing their name or using a digital signature tool.

⛑️ Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

Implement 2FA for parental consent by sending a verification code to the parent’s email or phone number. This adds an extra layer of security and ensures that the consent is coming from a verified parent.

⛑️ Credit Card Verification:

Require parents to enter their credit card details as a form of verification. Ensure that the credit card billing address matches the parent’s address on file for added security.

⛑️ Video Verification:

For an even more secure method, consider implementing video verification where parents can upload a short video confirming their consent.

⛑️ Third-Party Verification Services:

Utilise third-party services that specialise in parental consent verification. These services can provide an extra layer of assurance that the consent is genuine.

⛑️ Follow-Up Confirmation:

After obtaining initial consent, send a follow-up email or message to the parent confirming their consent and providing them with additional information about the service and privacy settings.

⛑️ Clear Communication:

Clearly communicate the purpose of collecting parental consent, the data being collected, and how it will be used. Make sure parents understand their rights and how to revoke consent if they choose to do so.

The goal I think is to make the process as straightforward and transparent as possible for parents while ensuring the safety and privacy of their children’s data.

Big tech needs to comply with local laws and regulations regarding parental consent and children’s online privacy more robustly I think don’t you?