Children’s book authors,

Do you have a website where you collect email addresses from kids?

Are you familiar with United States federal law regarding commercial websites that collect personal information from children? It’s called the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, and a single violation can have a civil penalty of up to $11,000.

Even if you aren’t making money from your author website, it’s a commercial site if you are using it to promote your books. Because of this, you have to be careful how you collect personal information from children.

The best resource for learning about this is the FTC website, but it’s a lot of data and more than most of you need. And this is where I make it clear that I’m not a lawyer (IANAL). But I am familiar with the legislation and best practices that protect children online.

So here are a few basic tips…

Children’s Book Authors and Online Privacy Law « Chris Rettstatt

Chris comes through again with a great tips post for children’s book authors.

Tags: privacy, children, kids, safety, authors

Wanted to send a call out to say if you still haven’t bought your registration for the 11/13 Kids Online un-conference, you should this week.  I mean, it’s next week, so it makes sense, you know?   I know there are a bunch of you who intend on going, who just haven’t bought your tickets yet.

For you travelers who haven’t made arrangements yet (I am known to procrastinate too):

For reference, I talked with Kaliya and the closest hotels are the Avante and the Hilton Garden Inn. I haven’t decided which I am staying at yet, but I hear the internet cafe area in the Avante is great.

SJO is the closest airport, but SFO would work too.  Oakland is a bit of a trek, but if your air deal is rockin there and you don’t mind traffic, go for it.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.  I have been SLAMMED with my job lately (We are on air on BBC2!), thus not even bookmarking things of late.  I am getting back to all the many emails I have been guilty of putting off today.  Thanks for all of your patience with me!!!

Tags: kidsonline, unconference, travel