The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) is a federal law that went into effect on April 21, 2000. The intent of the law is to regulate collection of personal information to children under the age of 13 in the U.S., as well as children outside the U.S. if the company is U.S.-based. Websites must seek consent from parents to collect and store information of children's data. However, many, if not most websites disallow children from using their services at all, as none are willing to undertake the costs involved.

COPPA was largely ignored by the mainstream, but it made headlines in late 2019 when the FTC forced YouTube to pay a massive fine. YouTube starting dividing videos on whenever they felt if it was for children or not. Videos that were considered "made for children" cannot be found in search results, have comments or views, put in a playlist. liked, or even be in the miniplayer, among other things. This has led to extremely negative reception from people around the Internet.

In January 2020, lawmakers have proposed an amendment to COPPA that would raise the age limit from 13 to 16, and all platforms would have to have an eraser buttom which parents can use at any time. More than 4 lawmakers support this bill, but none should.

The intent of COPPA is to protect children, but COPPA in practice is ineffective, as children can easily lie about their age to circumvent the restrictions, and parents sometimes assist them too. Age fraud is extremely common online.

COPPA is also unconstitutional, as it actively suppresses children's right to freedom of speech, expression, and First Amendment rights.

It should be the parents' job to keep their children safe online, not the government. Online literacy should also be taught at schools. Please repeal COPPA.