FraudAvengers

Helpful “Homework” for Parents: FTC’s Guidance on Protecting Your Child’s Information at School

While it doesn’t seem possible, summer is almost over and many kids will be starting back to school soon. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has just posted a very helpful article outlining the steps parents can take to protect their children’s personal information at school.

In the article, the FTC summarizes some of the avenues available to parents under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The article identifies two key aspects of FERPA — one, that it protects the privacy of student records and two, that FERPA provides parents of school-age kids with the right to opt out of sharing contact information with third parties. This article also has a link to an even more specific article titled “Protecting Your Child’s Personal Information at School.”

The FTC article (“FTC Advises Parents How to Protect Kids’ Personal Information at School”) and the other information can be found on their website.

The FTC’s articles will be a helpful resource for parents to understand how they can better protect their kid’s personal information and privacy.

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Ms. Diener is now an independent consultant on privacy, identity management, information protection and risk management. She served in senior managerial, legal, policy and legislative positions in all three branches of the Federal government. In addition to her privacy expertise, Ms. Diener played a lead role on such important domestic and international issues as criminal justice/law enforcement and financial services. She speaks frequently at industry and governmental conferences and meetings.