Illustration of a girl holding a sign saying CARU, the BBB National Program to ensure compliance with COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

Why CARU Certification is the Gold Standard for COPPA Compliance in Children’s Apps

In today’s digital world, it’s only natural for you to worry about your children’s safety online. And with good reason: in 2022, some 1.7 million children fell victim to a data breach, meaning 1 in every 43 kids had personal information exposed or compromised.

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That’s where COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, comes in. This important law was created to protect your child’s personal information when they’re online. But understanding and ensuring COPPA compliance can be a bit overwhelming.

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Luckily, there’s a program called CARU (Children's Advertising Review Unit) that’s here to help. CARU provides guidelines to make sure that the digital spaces your children visit are safe and respectful of their privacy. What's more, it goes beyond mere legal compliance, offering a comprehensive approach to protecting children's privacy in the digital realm.

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We’re proud to share that GROM Social is one of the only social media platforms for kids that holds the CARU certification. This means that when your child is using GROM Social, you can feel confident knowing that their privacy is being protected to the highest standard.

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In this post, we’ll break down what COPPA is and CARU's role in upholding COPPA standards. Whether you’re new to this or just want a refresher, we’re here to make sure you have all the info you need to keep your kids safe online.

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What is CARU?

CARU

CARU, or the Children's Advertising Review Unit, is a program under the BBB National Programs that plays a crucial role in safeguarding children's privacy online. Think of CARU as a watchdog that makes sure companies follow the rules when it comes to advertising to kids and collecting their personal information.

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CARU’s guidelines go beyond just compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other privacy laws. They provide a comprehensive framework that companies like GROM must follow to ensure that they’re not only protecting your child’s personal information but also creating a positive, engaging online environment.

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Whether it’s making sure that ads are clearly labeled or that kids’ data is handled responsibly, CARU’s standards are all about making the digital world a safer place for your children.

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The Certification Process

Getting CARU certified isn’t just a quick stamp of approval—it’s a detailed process that really dives into how a product or service handles kids' online privacy. CARU’s certification involves a thorough audit that looks at everything from how data is collected to the specifics of a company’s privacy policies and tracking methods.

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By the end of the process, CARU provides clear, actionable recommendations to help companies meet COPPA compliance and ensure they’re following the best practices for protecting kids online. This means you can trust that a CARU-certified app is doing its part to keep your child’s personal information safe while providing a positive and secure online experience.

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Ongoing Monitoring

Earning CARU certification isn’t the end of the story. CARU continues to work closely with companies to ensure they maintain COPPA compliance and keep up with the latest standards for protecting kids' privacy online. This ongoing monitoring includes regular reviews of the app, and helps parents feel confident that their kids’ online safety and privacy are always a top priority.

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The Importance of CARU Certification

Grom Social / Dan Putnam

When it comes to children's apps, CARU certification is a guarantee that the app is safe, respectful, and designed with your child's best interests in mind. Specific requirements include:

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Parents must sign up for the app, and also sign in before kids can use it.
Children’s personally identifiable information may not be saved (not even birth dates).
Access to the camera must be approved by a parent.
No push notifications can be sent to a child’s phone without explicit parental consent.
Welcome emails need to have privacy policy links.
Child accounts may not ask security questions or have related recovery methods as security questions are considered “unnecessary personal identifiable information.”
Data must be purged from deleted accounts within 7 days.

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Here’s why CARU certification is so crucial:

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Privacy Protection: In today’s digital world, protecting your child's personal information is a top priority. CARU ensures that any app or website that earns its certification is following strict COPPA compliance guidelines. This means your child’s data is kept safe from misuse or exploitation, and the app is transparent about what information is collected and how it’s used.

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Ad Restrictions: We all know how overwhelming and sometimes sneaky ads can be, especially for young kids who might not recognize when they’re being targeted. CARU sets standards to make sure that any ads within certified apps are appropriate for children and don’t take advantage of their young age. This means no deceptive ads, no inappropriate content, and nothing that could potentially harm or exploit your child.

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Content Monitoring: Content is king, especially in kids' apps. CARU certification means that the app’s content has been carefully reviewed to ensure it’s suitable for children. Whether it’s games, videos, or interactive features, you can trust that what your child is engaging with is safe, age-appropriate, and positive.

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GROM Social’s CARU Certification

Grom Social / Dan Putnam

At GROM Social, we take your child’s safety and privacy very seriously, which is why we’re proud to be one of the few kids' apps that has earned CARU certification.

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To achieve CARU certification, we underwent a thorough review process to ensure that every aspect of our app meets CARU’s strict guidelines. From how we collect and handle data to the content we provide, everything is designed to be fully compliant with COPPA and other relevant privacy laws. We’ve made sure that your child’s personal information is protected at all times, and we’re transparent about what data we collect and how it’s used.

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GROM Social is packed with features that not only entertain but also ensure your child’s safety online.

Robust parental controls allow you to monitor your child’s activity and set limits on how they use the app.
Live 24/7 content monitoring by real humans ensures that no inappropriate content or comments are posted.
We do not save any personal information about children - not even birth dates.
Children do not use photos of themselves on their profiles, but instead use our 3D asset library to create fun Gromatars to represent them in the app.

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While other kids' social media apps might claim to be safe, none of them can back it up with a CARU certification. While some apps may overlook crucial aspects like data protection or allow questionable ads and content, we’re committed to going the extra mile. Our CARU certification is proof that we prioritize your child’s safety above all else, offering a higher level of protection that you won’t find everywhere.

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Conclusion

With so many apps and websites vying for your child’s attention, it’s crucial to choose platforms that prioritize their well-being. COPPA compliance and CARU certification are key indicators of an app’s commitment to protecting your child’s personal information and providing a safe, age-appropriate environment.

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GROM Social stands out as a leader in this space, proudly holding CARU certification and going above and beyond to meet the highest standards of online safety for children. From our stringent privacy protections to our carefully monitored content, every aspect of GROM Social is designed with your child’s safety in mind.

FAQs

What is COPPA?

COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, is a law designed to protect children's personal information on the internet. It sets rules for how companies collect, use, and disclose data from children under 13.

Why is COPPA important?

COPPA is crucial because it ensures that children’s data is handled responsibly, keeping their personal information safe from misuse or exploitation.

What is CARU?

CARU, or the Children's Advertising Review Unit, is a program under the BBB National Programs that provides guidelines to protect children's privacy and ensure that digital content, advertising, and data practices are safe and appropriate for kids.

What does it mean for an app to be CARU-certified?

A CARU certification means that an app has undergone a thorough review to ensure it meets CARU’s strict standards for protecting children’s privacy, providing age-appropriate content, and maintaining responsible advertising practices.

What makes GROM Social’s CARU certification special?

GROM Social is one of the few kids' apps that hold a CARU certification. This certification highlights GROM’s commitment to the highest standards of online safety, from robust parental controls to safe chat features and carefully monitored ads.

How does GROM Social ensure continued compliance with CARU standards?

After earning CARU certification, GROM Social receives ongoing support from CARU, including regular reviews, real-time alerts for any issues, and personalized consultations to ensure we continue to meet the highest standards for children’s online safety.

Why should I choose GROM Social for my child?

By choosing GROM Social, you’re opting for an app that is not only fun and engaging but also committed to the highest standards of online safety and privacy protection for your child.

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Why CARU Certification is the Gold Standard for COPPA Compliance in Children’s Apps

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