Get clear, practical help on apps collecting children’s personal information, app permissions, tracking, and privacy settings for kids apps—so you can make safer choices without the guesswork.
Tell us what concerns you most about the apps your child uses, and we’ll help you understand what data apps collect from children, which permissions matter, and how to stop apps from collecting more than necessary.
Many parents are surprised by how apps collect a child’s data. A single app may request access to location, contacts, camera, microphone, photos, device identifiers, browsing activity, or in-app behavior. Some apps use this information to run core features, while others collect more than families expect for analytics, advertising, or cross-app tracking. Understanding children’s app tracking and data collection is the first step toward protecting your child’s privacy.
Apps may collect names, birthdays, email addresses, usernames, profile photos, or other details entered during sign-up or use.
Many apps gather IP address, device ID, approximate or precise location, app activity, search history, and time spent using features.
If permissions are enabled, an app may access the camera, microphone, photo library, contact list, or message content to support features—or to collect more data than parents realize.
A simple game or homework app may not need location, microphone, or contact access. When permissions feel unrelated, it is worth taking a closer look.
If an app does not clearly explain what it collects, why it collects it, and who it shares data with, parents may have trouble making an informed decision.
Some apps use identifiers or ad tools that support tracking across apps or websites, which can expand data collection beyond a single activity.
Check camera, microphone, location, contacts, photos, and background access. Turn off anything the app does not truly need.
Look for settings that limit ad personalization, disable tracking, restrict profile visibility, and reduce data sharing with third parties.
If an app collects too much personal information, consider deleting it and switching to a child-friendly option with clearer privacy practices.
Apps can collect data when your child creates an account, grants permissions, uses app features, clicks ads, shares content, or simply keeps the app installed. Collection may include information entered directly, device details, location, usage patterns, and tracking data.
Common categories include name, age or birthdate, email address, device ID, IP address, location, photos, audio, contacts, search activity, and in-app behavior. The exact data depends on the app’s design and permissions.
Start by reviewing permissions, reading the app’s privacy policy, turning off unnecessary tracking, using built-in privacy settings, and removing apps that collect more data than needed. Small changes can reduce exposure while still allowing your child to use selected apps.
Not always. Some permissions are needed for core features, such as a camera app using the camera. The concern is when permissions are broader than necessary or remain enabled all the time. Matching permissions to the app’s actual purpose is a good rule of thumb.
Usually not completely, because many apps need some information to function. But you can often reduce collection significantly by limiting permissions, disabling tracking, avoiding unnecessary sign-ups, and choosing apps with stronger child privacy practices.
Answer a few questions about the apps your child uses to get practical next steps on app permissions, tracking concerns, and ways to better protect your child’s data.
Answer a Few QuestionsExplore more assessments in this topic group.
See related assessments across this category.
Find more parenting assessments by category and topic.
Online Privacy
Online Privacy
Online Privacy
Online Privacy