Why does Garbanzo require parental verification for students under 13?

Garbanzo requires parental verification for student accounts under 13 to comply with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act). COPPA is a federal law in the U.S. designed to protect the privacy of children under 13 years old when they are online. 

What COPPA Requires

1. Parental Consent: Websites and apps that collect personal information from children under 13 must get verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or sharing that information.
2. Notification: Parents must be informed about what information is being collected, how it's used, and how they can manage or delete it.
3. Data Protections: The app must ensure the secure handling of any data collected and limit its use to necessary functions.

How Garbanzo Complies

Garbanzo uses "Click Plus" verification for students under age 13. This form of COPPA compliant verification ensures that no student under 13 can create an account without permission from a parent or guardian. By implementing parental verification, Garbanzo not only meets these legal requirements but also promotes transparency and trust for both schools and families.

This article contains information that is up to date as of 12/2024.