Collection and Use of Personal Data through the Internet – Points to Note for Data Users Targeting at Children

Collection and Use of Personal Data through the Internet – Points to Note for Data Users Targeting at Children / December 2015

The Special Needs of Children

Children are often identified as a vulnerable group who have special requirements in privacy protection, particularly

in the context of online activities.

Children are more inclined to follow instructions without questioning, less privacy-aware and less able to exercise

caution when communicating online. Even if warnings are given, children are often unable to appreciate the full

ramifications of over-disclosure or over-sharing of their personal data, and those warnings are invariably disregarded.

Furthermore, organisations that

“protect, respect personal data”

of children will win their teachers’ and their

parents’ trust, as well as demonstrate a commitment to satisfy their social responsibilities and will likely gain a

competitive advantage over their peers.

The advice

When interacting with children, data users should bear in mind children’s vulnerability and consider adopting the

following age-appropriate approaches to make sure that they protect and respect children’s personal data.

Collection and Use of Personal Data

through the Internet – Points to Note

for Data Users Targeting at Children

The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has published the

“Guidance for Data

Users on the Collection and Use of Personal Data”

through the Internet for data

users when they engage in online activities that involve personal data.

This leaflet seeks to highlight certain essential aspects relevant to data users who

interact with children (for the purpose of this leaflet, children are generally referred

as those aged under 18) via the Internet, and are likely to collect their personal data

via online means. It is therefore relevant to those who operate online platforms

(including websites, forums, mobile apps, etc.) where, for example, the underlying

goods or services are targeted at or popular among children.

See