When thinking of filming your minor age swimmers under 13, keep this in mind. The GoSwim App complies with COPPA.
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal law designed to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 online. It places certain requirements on operators of websites or online services, including mobile apps, that collect personal information from children under 13. When it comes to coaches sharing videos of minor athletes, especially those under 13, COPPA has several important implications:
- Parental Consent: Before a coach can share a video of a minor athlete under 13 online, they generally must obtain verifiable parental consent. This includes sharing videos on social media, websites, or any online platform. The consent must be specific to the sharing of the video and should include information about how the video will be used and who will have access to it.
- Information Disclosure: The coach or organization must disclose what personal information (in this case, the video) will be collected, how it will be used, and who will have access to it. This information should be clearly provided to the parents or guardians before consent is obtained.
- Data Protection: The law also requires that reasonable steps be taken to protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of personal information collected from children. This means that if a video is shared, the coach or organization must ensure it is stored securely and that unauthorized access is prevented.
- Limitations on Use: Even with parental consent, the use of the video should be limited to the purpose for which consent was given. For example, if the consent was obtained for sharing the video on a team website, it should not be posted on other platforms without obtaining additional consent.
- Right to Revoke Consent: Parents have the right to withdraw their consent at any time. If this happens, the coach or organization must remove the video from all platforms where it has been shared.
In summary, under COPPA, a coach sharing a video of a minor athlete under 13 must first obtain explicit parental consent, ensure the information is securely handled, and respect the rights of the parents regarding the use and removal of the content.
