<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) is a United States federal law, located at 15 U.S.C. § § 6501--6506 (Pub. L. 105--277, 112 Stat. 2681 - 728, enacted October 21, 1998). </P> <P> The act, effective April 21, 2000, applies to the online collection of personal information by persons or entities under U.S. jurisdiction about children under 13 years of age . It details what a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent or guardian, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children's privacy and safety online including restrictions on the marketing of those under 13 . </P> <P> While children under 13 can legally give out personal information with their parents' permission, many websites--particularly social media sites--disallow underage children from using their services altogether due to the cost and work involved in complying with the law . </P>

The children's online privacy protection act (1998) is a law designed to protect consumers' right to