NEW YORK CITY -- Tablets and smartphones are hot items for all ages this holiday season. For many kids, they'll be receiving a mobile device for the first time.
With more tech-savvy kids, the number of apps designed just for them has grown. But parents should be mindful of the data that's collected when a child downloads an app, even if it's billed as kid-friendly.
The Federal Trade Commission recently released a report on apps aimed at kids, and the information disclosed to parents about what data is collected and how it's used.
They found almost 60 percent of the apps they analyzed transmitted information from a mobile device back to the developer or a third party, like an advertiser or developer. Only one-in-five apps disclosed information about privacy practices.
The FTC urges parents to...
-- Test-drive apps kids want to use so you're comfortable with the content.
-- Look for disclaimers on whether the app collects personal data and if they share it.
-- Restrict in-app purchases or the ability to access any additional material.
-- And check whether the app connects to social media or other platforms that might allow sharing photos, video, personal information or chatting with other users.
