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From left: in Doctor Kids, a character cries after players decline an in-app purchase; an inappropriate, full-screen gambling ad appears in Dentist Games for Kids; a glowing cake in Olaf's Adventures looks like a game item, but brings kids to a purchase screen
Tell Google: Adopt the Kids’ App Store Standards now!
Apps for kids shouldn’t serve deceptive ads, collect personal data, or trick children into making in-app purchases – but Google recommends a slew of “family-friendly” apps that do just that! Google’s Play Store offers a family section full of apps recommended for kids, with age ratings as low as “5 and under.” Parents are led to believe that the apps in this section are vetted by Google and safe for children, but now we know that’s not the case: Google routinely... Read more...
Tell the APA: It's time to speak out on persuasive design
No one should manipulate children for profit. That’s why we’re calling on the American Psychological Association to condemn unethical tech design that keeps kids on screens. Will you join us? Persuasive design, also known as behavior design, is a series of techniques meant to nudge and change human behavior. Tech companies develop it with the help of psychologists and employ it without users' knowledge or consent. These practices often manipulate users into staying on a device... Read more...
Say “no” to online preschool
On October 10, we joined Defending the Early Years and leading educators and advocates to reject online “preschool” and demand real universal pre-K programs. Will you join us? Decades of research show the benefits of early education, but millions of low-income and rural families still lack access to high-quality preschool. This unequal access harms kids, families, and communities, but some Ed Tech companies see it as a lucrative opportunity to corner a $70 billion “preschool market.” ... Read more...
Tell Mark Zuckerberg: No Facebook for five-year-olds
Facebook wants to get young kids hooked on social media, and we need your help to stop them. In December, Facebook rolled out Messenger Kids, the first major social media app for children under 13. Today, CCFC sent Facebook a letter signed by more than 100 leading experts and advocates detailing how Messenger Kids will undermine children’s healthy development. Will you join us in telling Facebook to scrap the app? Facebook Messenger Kids has no lower age... Read more...
Protect Massachusetts kids' online privacy
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering an important bill to protect children from unfair digital marketing, and you can help. In January, the Trump administration rolled back common sense federal regulations protecting the privacy of children and families using the internet. Thankfully, lawmakers in Massachusetts are poised to put protections back in place in our state law. S.2062, presented by Senator Cynthia Creem, will prevent Internet Service Providers from collecting,... Read more...
Parent Toolkit for Student Privacy
We’re excited to share our new resource to help parents protect their children’s privacy! Today’s schools are more connected than ever: most education records are stored digitally, and students and staff use apps and websites for daily instruction, homework, and administrative tasks. These apps, websites, and digital storage vendors collect a wide variety of data about students, including kids’ names, birth dates, internet browsing histories, grades, test scores,... Read more...Don't let Mattel's new "digital nanny" trade children's privacy for profit
VICTORY: On October 4, Mattel announced that they were canceling the release of Aristotle. Thank you to the thousands of parents, caregivers, and experts who spoke out in support of kids' privacy and wellbeing! We commend Mattel for doing the right thing and putting kids first. --------------------------------------------------------------- In October 2017, U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) asked Mattel how it intends to... Read more...
Keep digital billboards away from Michigan schools
Michigan Senate Bill 953 would allow public school zoning to be included in "unzoned commercial or industrial areas." This would allow digital billboards like the one pictured here to go up on public school property, subjecting vulnerable children to bright commercial advertising. The bill has passed and is on the way to Governor Snyder’s desk for consideration. Sign our petition to protect children from this bad idea. Marketing does not belong on school grounds, where kids can’t turn it off... Read more...
2016 TOADY Awards
Each year, the Toy Industry Association gathers to present its TOTY (Toy Of The Year) Awards. In honor of the industry that has led the way in commercializing childhood, CCFC will present its TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) Award for the Worst Toy of the Year. From thousands of toys that stifle creativity, lionize brands, and promote screen-based entertainment at the expense of children’s play, CCFC and our partners have selected six exceptional finalists. Who will win... Read more...