Privacy Settings for Kids' Apps: What Parents Actually Need to Check

Look, I get it. You downloaded the app, your kid is already three levels deep into whatever game or social feature it has, and now you're supposed to go find the privacy settings? The ones buried in some menu that requires a PhD in UI design to locate?

But here's the thing: those privacy settings actually matter. And I'm not talking about the scary "stranger danger" stuff from the 90s. I'm talking about real, modern concerns like whether your 9-year-old's username is visible to everyone, if their in-game purchases are being tracked across the internet, or if that "fun quiz" is actually harvesting their data to sell them stuff later.

The good news? Once you know what to look for, this takes like 5 minutes per app. And you don't have to do it perfectly—you just have to do it.

Why This Actually Matters

Kids' apps are not neutral spaces. They're businesses, and many of them make money by collecting data, encouraging social interaction (which keeps kids engaged longer), or selling things. Some are genuinely trying to be responsible about it. Others... not so much.

Here's what's at stake:

Location data being shared with strangers or advertisers
Personal information (real names, ages, schools) being visible to other users
Behavioral data being collected and sold to third parties
Contact with unknown adults through chat, comments, or friend requests
Targeted advertising designed to manipulate kids into wanting stuff

And before you think "my kid's app is fine, it's educational!"—educational apps can be just as problematic. I've seen math apps that collect way more data than they need and reading apps with unmoderated comment sections. Being "educational" doesn't automatically mean "safe."

The Essential Privacy Checklist

Here's what you need to check in every single app your kid uses. I'm serious—every one. Roblox, Minecraft, that random game they downloaded last week, all of it.

1. Location Services: Turn Them Off

Unless the app literally cannot function without location (like a GPS-based game), turn location access off. Go to your phone's settings, find the app, and set location to "Never" or "Ask Next Time."

Why? Because there's zero reason a drawing app needs to know where your kid is. And even "good" apps can have data breaches.

Where to check:

iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → [App Name]
Android: Settings → Location → App Permissions → [App Name]

2. Profile Privacy: Lock It Down

Most apps let you choose between public and private profiles. Make it private. This means only approved friends can see your kid's content, username, or activity.

What to look for:

Profile visibility settings (public vs. private)
Who can send friend requests (friends of friends? anyone? no one?)
Who can see posts, comments, or creations
Whether the profile shows up in search results

For games like Roblox, this is HUGE. A private account means random people can't find your kid, message them, or see what games they're playing. Here's how to set up Roblox parental controls properly.

3. Communication Features: Disable or Restrict

Chat, comments, direct messages—these are where most concerning interactions happen. And I'm not even talking about predators (though that's a real concern). I'm talking about random 12-year-olds being jerks to your 8-year-old.

Your options:

Disable entirely (best for younger kids, under 10)
Friends only (middle ground for ages 10-13)
Filtered/moderated (if you're allowing broader communication for teens)

Apps like Discord and Snapchat have robust privacy settings, but they default to pretty open. You have to manually lock them down.

4. Data Collection & Ad Tracking: Opt Out

This one's sneaky because it's not about immediate safety—it's about long-term privacy. Apps collect data about what your kid does, then use it to show them targeted ads or sell it to third parties.

What to do:

Look for "Limit Ad Tracking" or "Opt Out of Personalized Ads" in the app settings
Check for "Do Not Sell My Information" (required by some privacy laws)
Review what data the app collects in its privacy policy (I know, I know—but at least skim it)

Phone-level settings:

iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → toggle off "Allow Apps to Request to Track"
Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads → "Delete advertising ID"

5. In-App Purchases: Password Protect Everything

Not strictly privacy, but related: make sure every purchase requires your password or biometric approval. Kids will absolutely accidentally (or "accidentally") buy stuff.

Where to check:

iPhone: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases
Android: Google Play Store → Settings → Require authentication for purchases

For games with their own currency (Robux, V-Bucks, etc.), you might want to understand how that virtual money works before your kid racks up a bill.

6. Third-Party Integrations: Disconnect Them

Some apps let you "sign in with Google" or "connect to Facebook" or link to other services. These integrations share data between apps.

Go through and disconnect anything that's not essential. If your kid doesn't need their game linked to their email account, unlink it.

Age-Specific Guidance

Ages 5-8: Honestly, at this age, you should be disabling almost everything. No chat, no public profiles, no location, no ads if possible. Stick to apps designed for young kids that have these features locked down by default, like PBS Kids Games.

Ages 9-12: This is the trickiest age. They want more independence, but they're not ready for full internet access. Private profiles, friends-only communication, and heavy moderation are your friends here. Expect to revisit these settings every few months as they ask for more access.

Ages 13+: Teens need some privacy from parents, but they also need protection from the internet. Focus on the big stuff: location off, ad tracking limited, and making sure they understand what they're sharing. At this age, education matters more than restriction—help them understand why privacy matters.

The Apps That Need Extra Attention

Some apps are notorious for having confusing or inadequate privacy settings:

Roblox: Defaults to way too open. Lock it down immediately.
YouTube: Even YouTube Kids has issues. Consider whether YouTube Kids is actually better.
TikTok: Collects an enormous amount of data. If your teen has it, at least set it to private.
Snapchat: The "Snap Map" feature shows your kid's exact location. TURN IT OFF.
Instagram: Tons of privacy settings buried in menus. Worth spending 10 minutes to go through them all.

The Bottom Line

Perfect privacy doesn't exist. But good enough privacy absolutely does. You don't need to become a cybersecurity expert. You just need to spend a few minutes in the settings of each app your kid uses and toggle the obvious stuff: location off, profile private, chat restricted, ad tracking limited.

And then—this is important—revisit it every few months. Apps update, settings change, and your kid gets older and needs different boundaries. This isn't a one-and-done thing.

Next Steps

Right now: Pick your kid's most-used app and go through the privacy settings. Just one. You can do the rest later.
This week: Set a recurring calendar reminder (every 3-4 months) to review privacy settings across all apps.
This month: Have a conversation with your kid about why these settings matter. Not a lecture—a conversation. Ask them what they think about privacy, what feels safe, what feels invasive. Here's how to talk about digital privacy without sounding like a narc.

You've got this. It's not about being perfect. It's about being intentional.