In the digital age, it’s inevitable that your children are spending time on screens, whether through phones, tablets, or computers. While you may have concerns about social media’s impact on their mental well-being or their exposure to inappropriate content, there’s another crucial factor to consider: the amount of data these apps are collecting from them. Not all applications are equal in terms of data collection, and understanding this can help you manage your kids’ digital footprint.
A recent study by The ToyZone investigated the permissions associated with popular kids’ apps—permissions that often go unchecked. The findings revealed significant disparities in the types and amounts of data collected, highlighting the importance of monitoring or limiting app usage. Notably, some well-known names like Pokémon Go, Roblox, YouTube, Amazon, and Facebook emerged as the leading data collectors.
What Types of Data Are Collected?
Whenever your children go online, companies gather a variety of data, including location, personal details, purchase history, and even financial information. This data is primarily used for marketing, particularly targeted advertising, explaining why you may see ads for dishwashers after a simple search. According to The ToyZone, kids’ apps also collect browsing history, usage data, contacts, and search queries. “It’s tough to quantify the monetary value of this information,” says Alex Turner, a content producer at The ToyZone. “But rest assured, it’s extremely valuable to these corporations.”
Which Kids’ Apps Are the Biggest Data Collectors?
The ToyZone categorized the apps they examined and found some intriguing trends. Money management apps, such as Greenlight, topped the list for data collection, gathering an impressive 22 types of information. In contrast, more benign educational apps, like those focused on science or nature, collected considerably less data. For instance, while Greenlight tracks kids’ spending, competing app Jassby only collects one type of data (identifiers). In the gaming category, Pokémon Go was a major data collector, gathering 17 types of information, leading to questions about the necessity of certain data, such as daily step counts. Other significant data collectors in gaming include Roblox and Animal Jam. However, there were a few apps, like Townscaper, which collected no data at all, though they were quite rare—only 17 of the 107 apps surveyed collected no data.
Why This Matters
Given the myriad concerns parents already have, you might wonder how significant data collection really is. “As children grow, their interests and preferences will be closely monitored online,” Turner explains. “This could lead to manipulation in their purchasing decisions.” Additionally, it’s essential to consider that hackers and other malicious actors can exploit this data, posing risks to children’s safety.
What Can You Do?
The good news is that knowledge is empowering. Now that you’re aware of which apps are major data offenders, you can potentially switch to less intrusive alternatives. For instance, you might encourage your child to use EdModo or Girl2Girl Wall for social messaging instead of Facebook Messenger or Instagram. As with many parenting challenges—especially those related to digital devices—striking a balance is key. “If popular apps ceased collecting data, companies would have less insight into user behavior, which could hinder their ability to fix bugs and improve services,” Turner notes.
However, helping children safeguard their data is equally crucial. The ToyZone recommends only downloading apps from trusted sources, applying strict privacy settings, and utilizing parental controls where available. Most importantly, engage your kids in discussions about their online privacy—including what they share and the implications of their data. Teach them that their information holds value, much like money. While the idea of zero data collection is appealing, it may not be feasible depending on the apps they use. Use this opportunity to explore their devices together and identify both data-heavy apps and their less invasive counterparts. It’s never too early to equip your children with the knowledge they need to protect their online privacy.
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Summary
It’s essential for parents to be aware of how much data kids’ apps are collecting. By understanding which apps are the most intrusive, parents can make informed decisions about their children’s app usage and engage them in discussions about online privacy, ultimately helping to protect their data.
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