Google is working on child-friendly versions of services like YouTube and Gmail to let under-13s legally use them.
Google, the world's largest internet search giant, is considering allowing children under the age of 13 access to YouTube and Gmail, according to media reports. The online services, which currently restrict kids under 13, will be tailored specifically for their use and will include a special dashboard for parents to keep an eye on their kids' online activities, The Information reported Monday.
Online services like Google and Facebook strictly restrict children from signing up. Signing up with the date of birth is mandatory. If users are found to be under the age limit, Google redirects to its policy page linking to the FTC's web page on child privacy. But these companies haven't been able to stop children from logging on anonymously or posing as adults to use the services.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Google found that some parents sign up their kids for online services. With new services tailored for kids, Google wants to make the process simpler without violating its rules. Parents will be in full control of the Google services used by their kids, like how they use the services and what information is collected about them, people familiar with the matter said.
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act or COPPA poses strict limitations on how Google and other web-based companies collect information about children under 13. The law requires parental consent before any data is collected and also restricts any data to be stored and used for advertisement purposes.
But Google's new move has spurred concerns about child's safety online. "Unless Google does this right it will threaten the privacy of millions of children and deny parents the ability to make meaningful decisions about who can collect information on their kids," Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, an online privacy group, told WSJ.
Google was earlier working on a child version of YouTube with enhanced parental controls. These efforts can help Google dig deeper into the lucrative education market. The company has earned a reputable image for its Chromebooks among students and services for kids will further enhance its reach in the education sector.
