{"id":351936,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:42","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/parental-rights-and-liability\/online-safety-for-kids.html"},"modified":"2025-05-30T14:40:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T19:40:43","slug":"online-safety-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/parental-rights-and-liability\/online-safety-for-kids.html","title":{"rendered":"What Laws Protect Children on the Internet?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Laws Protect Children on the Internet?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Laws protecting children on the internet focus on preventing cyberbullying, safeguarding privacy, and shielding them from online predators. Key legislations include the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which regulates the collection of data from children under 13, and proposed laws like the Kids Online Safety Act. Parents can protect their kids online by setting parental controls, educating children about online safety, and reporting violations to authorities.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Studies show that young people between the ages of 13 and 18 spend more than eight hours<\/a> a day online. While on the internet, children are vulnerable to all sorts of dangers. Kids may stumble upon harmful content or fall victim to predators online. Unfortunately, there aren\u2019t many laws that protect children from potential harm online.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll discuss the laws that protect children on the internet and explain your options as a parent of young children.<\/p>\r\n

If your child has been the victim of an online predator, you should seek legal advice from a local attorney<\/a>. You can take civil and criminal actions to protect your children from further harm. <\/p>\r\n

Children and Cyberbullying<\/h2>\r\n

Years ago, the only type of bullying parents had to worry about was in-person bullying. Perhaps the other kids at school pick on your child because they\u2019re smaller than the rest of the class. Or your daughter may be dealing with \u201cmean girls\u201d who spread terrible rumors about other female students.<\/p>\r\n

Today, parents have to concern themselves not only with real-life bullies but also with cyberbullying. "Cyberbullying<\/a>" occurs when people use social media<\/a> to tease, harass, embarrass, intimidate, or humiliate other kids.<\/p>\r\n

Cyberbullying has become a big concern for parents and teachers. This is especially true in light of high-profile cases of cyberbullying-related deaths. There are state laws against this sort of behavior, but sadly, there are no federal laws prohibiting cyberbullying.<\/p>\r\n

State Laws on Cyberbullying<\/h3>\r\n

While Congress has not yet passed legislation regarding cyberbullying, most states have. Nearly every state has passed laws criminalizing cyberbullying<\/a>. The penalties for this behavior vary from state to state, and the actors subject to these laws also vary.<\/p>\r\n

State laws generally address the following when it comes to cyberbullying:<\/p>\r\n