United StatesChildren's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
15 U.S.C. §§ 6501-6506; 16 C.F.R. Part 312
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In force since 21 April 2000.
A social media and minors rule binding private bodies.
As of 15 July 2026.
What this law does
Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page.
Requires operators of websites and online services directed to children under 13, or that have actual knowledge they collect data from a child under 13, to provide notice and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information.
If you get it wrong
Private right of actionNo
Penalties
Civil penalties per violation, adjusted periodically for inflation, enforced by the FTC and state attorneys general.
Who enforces it
Enforcement body
Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general
What it reaches
Age threshold
13
Covered services
Websites and online services directed to children under 13, and general audience services with actual knowledge of child users.
Verification methods
Parental consent
When LexLint raises it
operates_social_platform
Read the law
official statute text and FTC rule
Every line above is drawn from the primary source linked here, read on the date shown. This is a research summary, not legal advice.