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New rules take effect this month intended to protect kids’ privacy online, and some librarians are worried. Some say that the more stringent regulations may impede mobile app use in elementary schools—and also prevent kids from recreationally sharing favorite hobby sites with each other.
A report issued by The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop concluded that though children under 13 are involved in social media, there isn’t enough data on their social networking habits.
Even though the law doesn’t prohibit children under 13 from opening a library account online, Boston Public Library’s alleged efforts to stay on the safe side of COPPA made “her heart sink,” says researcher danah boyd.
