How to Protect Your Kids' Privacy Online

Intermediate Time: 1-2 hours Category: Family Safety

Children are uniquely vulnerable to privacy violations and identity theft because they have clean credit files and no reason to check them for years. By the time fraud is discovered, the damage can be extensive. This guide covers practical steps to protect your children's privacy and digital identity from the start.

Why This Matters

According to Javelin Strategy & Research, over 1 million children were victims of identity theft in 2022, resulting in $1 billion in total losses. Children's SSNs are especially valuable to criminals because the theft often goes undetected for years, sometimes until the child applies for their first student loan or job. A Carnegie Mellon study found that children's SSNs were 51 times more likely to be used for identity theft than adults'. Beyond identity theft, children's data is collected aggressively by apps, games, and platforms, often in violation of COPPA regulations, creating extensive digital footprints before they are old enough to consent.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Freeze your child's credit at all three bureaus. Children typically do not have a credit file, so the bureau will create one and immediately freeze it. You will need to provide proof of your identity, your child's birth certificate, and proof of guardianship. Each bureau has a specific process: contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion directly for their child credit freeze procedures.
  2. Search for your child's information online. Google their full name, and check people-search sites like Spokeo and BeenVerified. If their information appears, submit opt-out requests immediately. Also check if their SSN has been compromised using services offered by your bank or credit monitoring provider.
  3. Audit the apps and games on their devices. Review what permissions each app has (camera, microphone, location, contacts). Remove apps that request unnecessary permissions. On iPhone, use Settings > Privacy to review per-app permissions. On Android, use Settings > Apps > Permissions.
  4. Set up parental controls and child accounts. Use Apple Family Sharing or Google Family Link to create child accounts with age-appropriate restrictions. These provide content filtering, screen time limits, and app approval requirements without giving children access to adult accounts.
  5. Limit what you share about your children online. Before posting photos or information about your children on social media, consider that this creates a permanent digital footprint they did not consent to. At minimum, disable location data on photos, avoid sharing identifying details (school name, birthday, full name), and restrict posts to friends only.
  6. Teach age-appropriate digital literacy. For younger children: never share your real name, school, or address online, and always tell a parent if someone asks for personal information. For older children: explain how data collection works, why privacy settings matter, and how to recognize phishing and social engineering.
  7. Review privacy settings on their school-issued accounts. Schools often use Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for student accounts. Review the privacy settings, understand what data the school collects, and opt out of non-essential data sharing if your district allows it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Assuming children are too young to be targets: Criminals specifically target children because their clean credit records are unmonitored. Freeze their credit regardless of their age.
  • Oversharing on social media (sharenting): Well-meaning posts with your child's name, school, birthdate, and location create a comprehensive profile that identity thieves and predators can exploit.
  • Ignoring privacy on free apps and games: Free children's apps are often funded by data collection. Read the privacy policy and check if the app complies with COPPA before installing.
  • Using your child's real information for game accounts: Use a parent-controlled email and avoid entering your child's real birthdate, name, or location on gaming platforms and social apps.

Additional Tips

  • The FTC's guide for parents on COPPA (ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa) explains your rights regarding your child's data collection.
  • Consider a family identity theft protection plan that includes child monitoring. Services like Aura Family offer SSN monitoring and credit file monitoring for minors.
  • When your child turns 16, sit down together to review their credit report and digital footprint as a practical lesson in financial and digital literacy.

Last updated: February 10, 2026