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In today’s digital age, it’s undeniable that kids are spending time in front of screens, whether on smartphones, tablets, or computers. While you may have concerns about the impact of social media on their mental health or exposure to inappropriate content, you should also consider another critical aspect: the amount of data these apps are collecting from your children. Not all applications are equal in the data they gather. A recent investigation by Tech Insights analyzed the permissions of popular apps that kids frequently use, revealing a significant range in the types and volumes of data collected. This information is essential for parents who want to manage and limit their children’s data exposure. Major names like Pokémon Go, Roblox, YouTube, Amazon, and Facebook stand out as the top offenders in data collection.
What Data Are Kids’ Apps Collecting and Why?
Every time your child accesses the internet, companies collect various data, including location, personal details, purchase history, and even financial information. This data is primarily utilized for targeted advertising, which explains why you suddenly see ads for dishwashers after a single search. According to Tech Insights, kids’ apps also gather browsing history, purchase data, usage statistics, contacts, and search histories. As Daniel Carter, a content creator at Tech Insights, mentions, “It’s hard to quantify the value of this data, but it’s incredibly useful for companies.”
Which Kids’ Apps Are the Worst Offenders?
Tech Insights categorized the apps they reviewed and discovered some noteworthy trends. Money management applications, particularly Greenlight, emerged as the worst offenders, collecting the most data. Games and social messaging apps were also significant data trackers. Interestingly, apps related to science or nature collected the least data. For instance, Greenlight gathers 22 types of data, while a competitor like Jassby collects just one. In the gaming category, Pokémon Go leads with 17 types of data collected. While location is essential for gameplay, does the app need to know your child’s health stats? Other significant data collectors include the popular Roblox and Animal Jam. Notably, there was one game, Townscaper, that collected no data at all, but such cases are rare—only 17 out of 107 apps surveyed collected no data.
Why Should You Care?
With various concerns already on your plate as a parent, you may wonder how significant this issue is. Why should you be alarmed about companies accessing your child’s data? According to Carter, as children grow, their preferences will be monitored and targeted online, potentially manipulating them into desiring products curated for them. Moreover, the issue extends beyond marketing; hackers can exploit children’s naivety, using their data for malicious purposes.
What Actions Can You Take?
The silver lining for parents is that knowledge is empowering. Now that you’re aware of which apps are the most intrusive, you can consider switching to alternatives that are less data-hungry. For example, you can encourage your child to use EdModo or Girl2Girl Wall for social messaging instead of the more invasive Facebook Messenger or Instagram. It’s about finding a balance; although many apps collect data for legitimate reasons, there are valid concerns regarding children’s privacy. Tech Insights recommends downloading apps only from reputable sources, adjusting privacy settings, and utilizing parental controls when available. Additionally, engage your kids in discussions about their online privacy and the value of their data, similar to money.
This knowledge can help you guide them in making informed choices about their digital interactions. It’s never too early to teach kids how to safeguard their online privacy.
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