Privacy Policy
AOL Kids Privacy Policy
Young people need special safeguards and privacy protection. We realize they may not understand all the provisions of our policy or be able to make thoughtful decisions about the choices available to adult members. So we have special privacy practices to protect kids using areas on the service specifically designed for them, including the AOLKids. service. We urge all parents to educate their children about online safety and the need to protect their personal information.
AOLKids.com may collect non-personally identifiable information about users such as gender, age, and zip code. We use cookies to remember this information in order to provide a more customized experience, as well as to remember user preferences. We may use anonymous information about the use of AolKids.com for research purposes and to improve the service, and we may share such information in aggregate form with our AOLKids.com partners or affiliates.
AOLKids.com partners with select outside companies when offering additional areas designed for children. For a list of our children's partners and links to their privacy policies, please visit http://kids.aol.com/site-info/AOLKids-partners.
In areas on the service designed for children 12 and under, AOL and its partners require verifiable parental consent (for example, by sending in a permission form by regular mail or by fax) to collect or use names, addresses, telephone numbers or other information that identifies a child offline. In addition, for children to use screen names on the AOL service, we require parental (master account) consent at the time the subaccount screen name is created. We do this so that parents are aware of and consent to how their children may use their screen names; for example, using the screen name to request an online newsletter, to post a message on a message board or to participate in a chat room. Please read our Important Note to Parents to learn more about AOL's practices regarding children's online privacy.
To contact us with any questions about our Children's Privacy Practices:
By e-mail:
AOLKidsprvacy@aol.com
By mail:
AOL Children's Online Privacy
ATT: H1A:C09
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, VA 20166-9302
By phone:
(888) 206-6088
AOLKids.com may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, and so you should review this policy periodically.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS
AOL Inc. ("AOL") is committed to complying fully with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998.
We encourage children to talk with their parents about the information any website is collecting and decide together what information to share. We also encourage parents to talk to their children about limiting the release of personal information to anyone that they do not know. Please read below to understand AOL's practices regarding children's online privacy.
There are two ways children 12 and under can obtain an AOL screen name. This note will outline each.
1) Screen Names Created on AOLKids.com:
AOLKids.com is AOL's special kids' service that features content and tools designed just for children on the Internet. AOLKids.com users can choose to register for a Screen Name to access certain services such as e-mail and instant messaging.
During registration for a AOLKids.com screen name, AOL collects information such as gender, birth date, and zip code. We also collect a credit card number in order to verify parental consent, but once the card has been verified, we do not maintain the number.
Please be aware that your child will also be able to use his or her AOLKids.com Screen Name to sign into other AOL properties, including the AOL service and other Screen Name Service enabled properties, to participate in a variety of interactive features which allow users to share personal information such as chat, message boards, commenting, and AOL Instant Messenger. When participating in these interactive features, your child's Screen Name is visible to others.
Generally, when signed into the AOL service or AOL sites not designated as part of AOLKIDS or AOLKids.com, your child will have access to all content and features, including those created for audiences ages 18+. In these areas, your child's Screen Name will be treated as a General (ages 18+) account and is subject to the AOL Terms of Service and AOL Privacy Policy. AOLKids.com Screen Names will not be able to access AOL's People Connection or adult chat rooms when signed into the AOL service.
If you would prefer to limit your child's ability to use their Screen Name on general audience sites, you can do so by registering for a free AOL account and using the Parental Controls features. If, at any time, you no longer want your child to have a Screen Name through AOLKIDS or AOLKids.com, you may contact us by phone, e-mail, or postal mail.
2) Screen Names added to an existing AOL Account:
AOL offers parents the ability to use their master account to create separate screen names for each child (because one master account may have up to seven screen names). When creating a Screen Name for a child on AOL, a basic age category such as Kids Only must be selected. This allows the parent to customize AOL to their child's maturity level and content needs: Kids Only (recommended for children 12 and under); Young Teen (recommended for ages 13-15); or Mature Teen (recommended for ages 16-17). Each of the basic age categories has predefined limits for e-mail, Web, chat, and more. By using a Master Screen Name on an existing or new AOL membership, parents can create a AOLKIDS Screen Name and utilize AOL's Parental Controls to help set limits on what children can see and do while online. To register for a free AOL account, parents should visit http://free.aol.com. For certain AOL memberships, we may collect a credit card number in order to verify parental consent and, in this circumstance, we do not retain the number once the card has been verified.
To learn more about these age categories, please visit Parental Controls or AOL Keyword: Parental Controls.
If, at any time, you no longer want your child to have a Screen Name, you may delete it by going to AOL Keyword: Names and clicking on "Delete a Screen Name." If you have additional questions regarding your child's use of a Screen Name, you may contact us by phone, e-mail, or postal mail.
Notice and Choice for Parents on AOLKIDS and AOLKids.com
Your child may enter into a AOLKIDS or AOLKids.com contest or sweepstakes by providing his or her e-mail address. If your child enters such a contest or sweepstakes, we will e-mail you and provide a means for you to prevent your child from participating.
If your child signs up for the AOLKIDS newsletter or any other AOL newsletter by providing his or her e-mail address, you will receive an e-mail from AOLKIDS and you may stop this subscription at any time by following the instructions provided. Additionally, you can go to the AOLKIDS Newsletter and click "Unsubscribe" at the bottom of the page or notify us at aolkidsprvacy@aol.com. To unsubscribe from other AOL newsletters, you can go to that specific newsletter and click "Unsubscribe" at the bottom of the page or notify us at aolkidsprvacy@aol.com.
AOLKIDS and AOLKids.com will not entice children, by the prospect of a special game, prize, or other activity, to provide more information than is reasonably necessary to participate in an activity.
Parental Controls and Activity Reports
Another way parents can control their child's experience online is AOL's Parental Controls (Keyword: Parental Controls). These simple, flexible tools allow parents to customize content and functionality to their child's maturity level and receive regular e-mail updates about their child's online activities using his or her AOL screen name (such as the Web sites that the child visited or attempted to visit; e-mail and Instant Message activity; or contacts in the child's address book and Buddy List). AOL notifies both the parent's master account and the child's screen name when AOL Activity reports are activated. AOL Activity reports are intended solely for the parent's master account, and are not otherwise used or disclosed by AOL except in the limited circumstances described in the AOL Privacy Policy.
Public Use of E-mail Addresses
When creating a Screen Name for a child, please make sure that your child does not reveal personal information in their screen name (e.g., first and last name).
Generally, AOLKIDS and AOLKids.com will truncate a child's submitted Screen Name or e-mail address if the feature posts such information in a public area on AOLKIDS and AOLKids.com.
Use of Cookies on AolKids.com
AOLKIDS and AOLKids.com will use cookies to help to enhance and personalize your child's experience with AOLKids.com or the AOLKIDS service. Cookies will be used to "remember" your child and his or her particular preferences and customizations on AOLKIDS and AOLKids.com. These features include, but are not limited to, the Welcome Experience, Web Favorites, and Virtual Pets.
Kids Partners on AOL
AOL partners with select outside companies when offering additional areas designed for children. For a list of our children's content partners and links to their privacy policies, please visit http://kids.aol.com/site-info/AOLKids-partners.
Contact Us
If you have additional questions regarding your child's use of his or her Screen Name, you may contact us by phone, e-mail, or postal mail.
By e-mail:
AOLKidsprvacy@aol.com
By mail:
AOL Children's Online Privacy
ATT: H1A:C09
22000 AOL Way
Dulles, VA 20166-9302
By phone:
(888) 206-6088
Effective 07/15/2010
