Part
01
of one
Part
01
Which companies or public institutions collect digital data on children's activities and interactions in the US?
Hello! Thank you for your question regarding companies and public institutions that collect digital data on children's activities and interactions in the U.S.. The best sources used to answer your question include industry articles and government websites. The short answer is that EdTech companies, governmental school agencies and entertainment companies geared for children typically collect the most information on children in the U.S... An explanation of my research methodology and findings follows.
METHODOLOGY & OVERVIEW
I began my research by searching for data types that are digitally collected on U.S. children, how it is collected and who uses it. The Childrens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) limits the data that operators of websites and online services can collect on children under the age of 13 and requires both disclosure and consent from a parent or guardian for collection and use of such information. Unfortunately, monitoring compliance proves difficult and many app and game manufacturers (in particular) continue to collect and market children's data, such as geographic location, user name, and age. Privacy rules prevent the collection of personally identifying information, but many companies use an aggregated form for marketing purposes (especially food companies).
In the course of a typical day, data may be gathered on children in much the same way as it is on adults - for example, via a swiped ID card used for transit or RFID chip timers used to time track runs. As most child interactions either occur at school or via personal mobile device, these tend to be used most often for digital data collection.
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGIES
Educational techologies (EdTech) amass a great deal of student information. Knewton is one such company which "analyzes student data that it collects by keeping track of nearly every click and keystroke a child makes during digital lessons." Knewton's purpose is to create adaptive learning that is personalized and effective for individual students. However, detailed data by this and other EdTech companies can include geographic location, age, gender, and more. These companies can collect tens of millions of data points on students full of details about a child’s abilities, personality and learning styles. As these companies continue to gain prominence in the classroom, larger, more detailed datasets will evolve.
Secured data warehouses known as Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) are funded by the federal government. They include student data gathered at school through a variety of methods: children’s online usage, information provided by parents, and data input by teachers other school staff. These detailed records include demographic information, grades, test scores, discipline records, disability information, counseling sessions and even medical history, counseling records. Unfortunately, medical information in these records is not covered under HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and may be shared outside of school without parent knowledge.
Similarly, The College Board and ACT collect information on prospective college students. When a teen checks a box consenting to receive information from prospective schools, test developers are given access to detailed profiles of millions of test -takers, including test scores, activities, family income and religious preference.
GOOGLE, FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL MEDIA
A report published in May, 2016 by the National Center for Education Policy at the University of Colorado (Boulder) notes that "Google and Facebook are probably the largest companies that data mine in schools, and they also spend a lot of money to lobby lawmakers to keep regulation at bay.” The report - “Learning to be Watched: Surveillance Culture at School” - indicates that Google along reaches "over 3 0 million students, teachers and administrators globally” via Google Apps for Education (GAFE). An estimated 95% of school districts send student records to Google, Microsoft, and hundreds of other school service management companies. This data is then resold for a myriad of purposes.
Data using these channels is also collected in non-school related interactions. For example, a child's choice of websites, apps and channels for entertainment - with or without a parent - are collected and are often used to for targeted marketing.
TOYS AND DEVICES
There have been several instances in which toy manufacturers have gathered information on children. In December, 2016, makers “smart” kids toys — the My Friend Cayla doll and the i-Que Intelligent Robot —were charged with violating U.S. laws by collecting voice data without obtaining consent. The doll asks for multiple pieces of personal information, including names and hometowns.
Toy manufacturer VTech reported a data breach in which collected parent names, photos, genders and birth dates of children were stolen, which could compromise a child’s home address. Sanrio, parent of Hello Kitty, also reported a data breach mostly comprised of information relating to children and teens. The information included "first and last names, birth dates, genders, email addresses, country of origin, and password hint questions and corresponding answers." In February 2016, child monitoring app uKnowKids was charged with exposing 6.8 million private text messages, 1.8 million images and 1,700 child profiles containing data from users’ Android and iPhones.
CONCLUSION
To wrap up, EdTech companies and school databases collect a great deal of student information, including demographics, grades, attendance, and counseling histories. Google and Facebook are two of the largest collectors of information on children through school-based programs, as well as after-school, personal entertainment selections.
Thank you for using Wonder! Please let us know if we can help with additional research.