Recent lawsuits about the impact of social media on kids and teens have shined a spotlight on some of the risks your kids may face when they log on. According to the CDC, the average American kid spends more than six hours a day looking at screens–not including homework. Some of that time may be television viewing or playing games installed on a device, but a significant portion involves online activity. That may mean social media, chatting apps like SnapChat, live gaming with others, and a rabbit hole of one video rolling into another.
At The Hartman Law Firm, we know it can be tough for parents to figure out what type of online activities are safe and healthy for kids and which should raise red flags. While there’s no substitute for educating yourself about the sites your kids use, the information here can help you find resources and know what to look for as you navigate parenting in a digital world.
COPPA is Designed to Increase Online Safety for Kids
The Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act has been in effect for more than a quarter century, but has some limitations. First, it applies only to platforms that target kids or have actual knowledge that they are collecting data from kids under 13. The core of COPPA is a requirement that these sites provide clear information to parents about their data collection and usage, and that children under the age of 13 need parental permission to join. But enforcement is inconsistent and can be difficult. For example, there is typically no age verification process, allowing a child under 13 to simply claim to be older when creating an account.
As of April 2026, two bills are pending that would increase protections: COPPA 2.0 and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Most notably, COPPA 2.0 would include protections for teens as well.
What Can Parents Do Today?
Keeping your kids safe online starts with doing your homework. You may want to use a service that provides monitoring, blocks certain types of sites, or otherwise allows parents to set limits or check web usage. Your internet service provider may offer this type of service. There are also dedicated tools such as Bark.US, Aura Parental Controls and Qustodio. Each operates a bit differently and some may be more suitable for different age groups, so take the time to review your options carefully.
You should also familiarize yourself with the sites your children want to use or are already using, and be prepared to offer alternatives if you don’t trust those sites. You can find starter lists of vetted sites in many places. Here are a few to help you get started:
The 20 Safest Online Communities for Kids
Educational Websites for Kids: The Very Best of 2026
10 Free, Safe, Educational and Fun Sites for Kids
Of course, you shouldn’t just take their word for it. Review sites yourself and check for:
- Age appropriateness of content
- How the site stores your child’s data and what they do with it
- How users communicate with one another and what protects your child from contact from adults
- What type of moderation the site uses
You can also check sites for KIDSafe seals, which show the site has been vetted for specific characteristics. You can find more information about the pending legislation here and here.