Kids' Data Under the Global Spotlight: A 2026 Primer on Privacy Regulations Beyond the US
Kids' Data Under the Global Spotlight: A 2026 Primer on Privacy Regulations Beyond the US
Children spend hours online, sharing data that companies turn into profits, but regulators worldwide are slamming the brakes. From COPPA updates in the US to outright social media bans in Europe and beyond, 2026 marks a tipping point where protecting kids' privacy isn't optional - it's enforced with massive fines and business overhauls. Businesses ignoring this risk multimillion-dollar penalties and lost trust, while families gain tools to shield young users from endless tracking.
Background/Context
The push for children's data privacy exploded as social media addiction and data scandals hit headlines. In the US, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), originally from 1998, got major amendments in June 2025, with full compliance due by April 22, 2026 - expanding rules for kids under 13 and eyeing teens up to 17.[1][5] Globally, events like Europe's GDPR fines topping €5.88 billion fueled momentum, with G7 data authorities issuing joint calls for minor safeguards in late 2025.[2][4]
This isn't isolated. The EU's Digital Services Act and age verification pushes, alongside Asia-Pacific frameworks, stem from rising concerns over targeted ads, mental health harms, and AI-driven profiling.[3][4] By early 2026, over a dozen countries had active or pending kids' privacy laws, driven by parental outcry and teen suicide links to platforms.[1][7]
Main Analysis
US Developments: Federal and State Surge
The FTC's COPPA overhaul defines "personal information" more broadly, covering biometrics and device IDs, while mandating easier parental consent and data deletion "eraser buttons."[1][5] Pending federal bills would ban targeted ads to under-17s and require age gates.[1]States lead too: 16 now restrict social media for minors, demanding parental consent and age checks; California, Texas, and others hit app stores with verification duties.[7] Device filters are mandatory in places like Alabama and Utah for minor-used gadgets.[7]
Europe: Design Codes and Bans
The UK's Age-Appropriate Design Code forces high-privacy defaults, no dark patterns, and minimal data grabs on kid-accessed services, enforced via the 2024 Children's Code Strategy through 2026.[1] The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 tweaks consent but leans on design for protection.[1]EU-wide, July 2025 guidelines under the Digital Services Act push robust age verification (no self-declare), safety-by-default settings, and cross-platform reporting.[3] Denmark plans a 2026 social media ban for under-15s (with parental opt-in for 13-14), while Spain eyes under-16 consent for social nets and AI platforms; Italy targets under-15s.[2] The EDPB's 2025 age assurance statement lists 10 GDPR-compliant principles, prioritizing least-intrusive checks.[6]
Beyond Europe: Brazil, Asia, and Emerging Standards
Brazil's March 2026 law bans targeted ads and loot boxes for minors, requires Portuguese parental controls, and slaps 10% revenue fines or service bans.[2] It demands strong age verification beyond self-reporting.[2]In Asia-Pacific, CBPR 2.0 - due 2026 - could unify standards across 10+ jurisdictions, adding risk assessments, opt-outs, and breach alerts for kids' data, easing cross-border chaos for multinationals.[5] China's rules mandate separate reporting on under-18 data processing by January 31, 2026.[5]
| Region | Key Rule | Enforcement Start | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (COPPA) | Eraser button, broader data definition [1][5] | April 2026 | FTC fines, litigation |
| UK | Age-Appropriate Design Code [1] | Ongoing to 2026 | ICO enforcement |
| EU | Age verification guidelines [3][6] | 2025-2027 | Up to 6% global revenue (GDPR) |
| Brazil | Ad bans, parental controls [2] | March 2026 | 10% revenue or bans |
| Global CBPR | Risk assessments for minors [5] | 2026 | Varies by jurisdiction |
Real-World Impact
Companies face compliance costs soaring into billions: GDPR kids' fines already contribute to €5.88 billion totals, with US states adding per-violation penalties.[2][7] Platforms like TikTok or Meta must retrofit age gates, killing ad models reliant on teen tracking - Brazil's law alone threatens service shutdowns.[2]
Kids and parents win: default privacy curbs addiction nudges, while eraser buttons empower deletion.[1] But small apps struggle; a Nebraska design code could shutter non-compliant indies.[7] Mental health improves - studies link reduced profiling to less screen time harm - yet overreach risks censoring education tools.[4]
Multinationals get a breather from CBPR 2.0's harmony, but ignoring it fragments ops across borders.[5] Take Epic Games: loot box bans in Brazil force global redesigns.[2]
Different Perspectives
Regulators cheer protections, with EDPB stressing "privacy by default" for vulnerable kids.[6] Critics, including tech lobbies, warn age verification invades everyone's privacy and stifles innovation - California's design code faces injunctions over free speech.[7]
Industry experts like BRG's Ceren Canal Aruoba urge C-suites to map risks proactively, viewing 2026 as a "fast-changing landscape" for avoidance of fines.[1] Privacy advocates push harder, calling children's data the "benchmark" for all regs.[4]
Key Takeaways
- Audit now: Check COPPA compliance by April 2026 and prep for state age gates - non-compliance risks 10% revenue hits in places like Brazil.[1][2]
- Prioritize design: Default high-privacy, ban dark patterns, and add eraser tools to serve kids globally without per-country overhauls.[1][3]
- Watch CBPR 2.0: It could standardize minors' rules across 10+ nations, simplifying multinational ops if adopted widely.[5]
- Age verify smartly: Use least-intrusive methods per EDPB's 10 principles to dodge fines while protecting under-16s.[6]
- Track enforcement: EU guidelines and US FTC plans signal 2026 ramp-ups - budget for DPIAs on kid data flows.[3][5]