---
title: "Decide whether an online service must keep children under 13 from an account without parental consent"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/technology-media-and-telecommunications-it-contracts/decide-whether-a-service-must-keep-under-16s-from-holding-an-account/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A24-SF20261022-7-US"
practice_area: "Technology, Media & Telecommunications / IT Contracts"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Decide whether an online service must keep children under 13 from an account without parental consent

> State whether the service is directed to children under 13 or the operator has actual knowledge it is collecting personal information from a child.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/technology-media-and-telecommunications-it-contracts/decide-whether-a-service-must-keep-under-16s-from-holding-an-account/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Technology, Media & Telecommunications / IT Contracts](https://ailawframework.com/practice/technology-media-and-telecommunications-it-contracts.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | State whether the service is directed to children under 13 or the operator has actual knowledge it is collecting personal information from a child. List the notice, the verifiable parental consent, and any account that would be opened without that consent. |
| What the lawyer must review | The federal rule is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, and it applies to children under 13, not to a national under-16 account ban. The FTC staff FAQ says the Rule protects children under 13 because Congress drew the line there, and that it applies to operators of commercial websites and online services directed to children under 13 that collect personal information, and to general-audience services with actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information from children under 13. 15 U.S.C. § 6502 makes it unlawful for those operators to collect personal information from a child in violation of the regulations, which must require notice of what is collected, how it is used, and the operator's disclosure practices, and verifiable parental consent before collection, use, or disclosure. The FAQ also requires the operator to retain a child's information only as long as necessary for the purpose and to delete it using reasonable measures. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Decide whether a service must keep under-16s from holding an account](https://ailawframework.com/practice/technology-media-and-telecommunications-it-contracts/decide-whether-a-service-must-keep-under-16s-from-holding-an-account.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: State whether the service is directed to children under 13 or the operator has actual knowledge it is collecting personal information from a child. List the notice, the verifiable parental consent, and any account that would be opened without that consent.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- The FAQ says it represents the views of FTC staff and is not binding on the Commission. The statute and the Rule control.
- COPPA is not a content filter. The FAQ says it does not stop a child from viewing material online.

## Sources

- [Complying with COPPA: Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-coppa-frequently-asked-questions) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [15 U.S. Code § 6502 - Regulation of unfair and deceptive acts and practices in connection with collection and use of personal information from and about children on the Internet](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/6502) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*