Children and Teens: A Parent's Digital Footprint Guide
A child's footprint often begins before they have an account. The good news is that parents have more control early than at any other time.
By Siddharth ShankarUpdated October 11, 2026Children's online records begin with what adults post and what apps collect. In the United States, COPPA protects children under 13 only, so teens have fewer legal protections. The UK's Children's code, issued in 2020, sets expectations for online services likely to be used by children. Parents can search their child's name, tidy settings, think about what to share, and use the free credit freeze available for children under 16.
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Many children have an online presence before they can read. Birth announcements, school photos and sports results add up. Later, the child's own accounts, games and apps add more. A parent can shape the early record in a way that is difficult to do later.
How a child's footprint starts
There are three common starting points:
- Posts by adults: photos, names, birthdays and locations shared by parents, relatives and schools.
- Apps and games: accounts created for entertainment or schoolwork that collect names, emails and activity.
- The child's own accounts: as they get older, social media and messaging add their own content.
This is the difference between active and passive footprints, explained in active vs passive digital footprint. Children often leave passive data through apps they do not realize collect it.
What the law says
In the United States, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) protects children under 13, according to the FTC's FAQ. The rule was amended in April 2025. A child who turns 13 is outside COPPA's protections, so teens depend more on platform settings and family decisions.
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Children's code, also called the Age Appropriate Design Code, was issued on 12 August 2020 and came into force on 2 September 2020, with a 12-month transition period. It applies to online services likely to be accessed by children. Rules elsewhere differ.
Steps for parents
1Search your child's name
Try the full name, a nickname and the school name. See what a stranger would find.
2Audit what you have posted
Look for photos that show a school uniform, a street sign, a house number or a birthday. Remove or limit the ones that reveal a routine.
3Review account privacy together
For each app your child uses, check profile visibility, who can message them, and whether location sharing is on.
4Talk about what lasts
Explain that posts and comments can be saved and copied. Keep the conversation open rather than frightening.
5Freeze credit for your child
The credit bureaus offer a free credit freeze for children under 16, though the process differs by bureau. A child's credit file is rarely looked at, so misuse can go unnoticed for years, which is why a freeze is worth considering. See how to place a credit freeze.
6Close what is no longer used
Delete old game, school and app accounts, and delete child profiles on sites the family no longer uses.
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Teens need a different approach
With teens, trust works better than monitoring alone. Talk about settings together, let them make some choices and be clear about the limits that apply to safety, such as strangers contacting them. Remind them that colleges and employers sometimes look. The student guide covers that stage.
What to do if something goes wrong
If your child's information is leaked, treat it like any other exposure. Change passwords, remove public listings and watch for misuse of the child's identity. Read how to prevent identity theft for the adult-side steps that also apply to a child's file.
Questions to ask before a new app or school tool
Before your child signs up for a service, ask what personal data it collects, whether the profile is public by default, whether the account can be deleted and who is able to contact your child. Check how to turn off location sharing and whether chats or posts can be seen by strangers. School tools are worth the same questions. If the answers are unclear, look for the provider's privacy policy or ask the school. A few minutes at sign-up is much easier than unwinding an account later.
Sources
- FTC: Protecting your child's privacy online (COPPA covers children under 13)
- Equifax: Security freeze (parents and guardians can freeze credit for children under 16; freezes are free)
Frequently asked questions
Does COPPA protect teenagers?
No. According to the FTC, COPPA protects children under 13. Teens rely on platform settings and family decisions.
Is posting my child's photos a privacy risk?
It can be, especially if the posts show locations, schools or routines. Limit who can see them and avoid details that identify a location.
Can I freeze my child's credit?
Yes. The bureaus offer a free freeze for children under 16, but the process differs by bureau.
What is the UK Children's code?
It is a code issued by the Information Commissioner in 2020 that sets expectations for online services likely to be used by children.
How do I find what is online about my child?
Search their name, nickname and school, then review the results page by page. Our digital footprint check lists more places to look.
See if your email has already leaked
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- Shows which sites leaked it, when, and what leaked
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See which services work in your country, what they cost, and the free do-it-yourself route.
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