The relevant online forums are now boiling over the issues of kids under 13 and their usage of web and mobile apps. The main reason for this is the FTC’s plan to update the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/
And I quote:
“The COPPA Rule requires covered operators to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children”
“The proposed amendments also seek to streamline and clarify the direct notice that operators must give parents prior to collecting children’s personal information.”
Read the full document – it’s important to all of us, whether we are parents, operators or startup companies dealing with kids under this age.
So, What is Vikido doing about this?
We started Vikido as “concerned parents” and that is why kids on Vikido don’t have an “account” in the regular sense of the word – it’s an extension of the parent’s account. The parent logs in using FB connect, creates a “child” account – and the child is logged-in only via the parent’s permissions – entering a child-mode interface.
So – no one can connect with your child unless you approve it (you add a family member via YOUR parent side, but the child doesn’t have this ability).
In addition, no one can see the child’s feed (other than his family) and the only person who can share the child’s creations is the parent. You can see an example on my own facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/amit.knaani/posts/10150310197421443 - that’s me as a parent, sharing my child’s pic under my name.
In addition, no one can see the child’s feed (other than his family) and the only person who can share the child’s creations is the parent. You can see an example on my own facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/amit.knaani/posts/10150310197421443 - that’s me as a parent, sharing my child’s pic under my name.
We also added an additional level of control by notifying the parent when a message is sent to the child.
“But it’s kind of annoying to pay all that attention to my kids’ activities!”
Well, the process implemented by Vikido requires at least some initial parental intervention and consent. The parent needs to register the child, add and approve other family members, and the child can’t login with its own password. We know… it ain’t easy, but we did it anyway, because just like you, we rather spend a couple of minutes here and there, and make sure we don’t put our kids in harm’s way.
Want to ask us questions? We’re here and would love to help: support@vikido.com.
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