Submission Number: 561789-00002 

Received: 8/1/2012 1:43:14 PM
Commenter: Warren Buckleitner
Organization: Children's Technology Review
State: New Jersey

Agency: Federal Trade Commission
Initiative: 16 CFR Part 312; Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule; Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Project No. P104503
Attachments: No Attachments
Submission Text
Thought I'd contribute this "code of ethics" to help frame the spirit of COPPA. Title: A Code of Ethics for the Publishers of Interactive Media for Children Author: Warren Buckleitner I will not sell development, e.g., “smarter, brainy kids,” without specific references to valid studies. I won’t hold a child’s past work or experience hostage, as an incentive to renew a subscription or purchase an additional product. I’ll understand the difference between informing and selling, especially when embedding brand names and/or including in-app sales techniques. I won’t exploit a tired, flustered parent for my own profit. I will identify (with name and affiliation) the authors, writers and developers who created my product. I will disclose costs in clear language at the start of the consumer/publisher relationship. I’ll read and abide by the Consumer Reports WebWatch guidelines. My product or service will treat every child the way I’d treat my own child or grandchild. If I sponsor a contest that will involve the public school system (e.g., students, teachers, classroom time that is funded by public money) I will not use products with indirect costs (a) require an additional subscription or (b) tease or tempt children with add-on content that costs money after the school year ends. I will also make sure that every child has equal access the same set of tools and content. I will not confuse marketing with educating. Citation: Buckleitner, W. (2011), A Code of Ethics for the Publishers of Interactive Media for Children, online at http://bit.ly/eo9cui