AQ'S Corner

What you need to know to protect the kids in your life

Why This Matters to You

Every time a child opens TikTok, plays a mobile game, or searches for help with homework, someone is collecting data. As parents and educators, understanding privacy laws isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for protecting the young people we care about.

The good news? Privacy protections are getting stronger, and new tools are making them easier to use. Here’s what you need to know right now.

The Global Picture

Different countries take different approaches to privacy:

Europe leads the pack. Their GDPR law is one of the toughest in the world. Companies must collect only what they need, delete it when they’re done, and give children extra protection.

The United States? It’s complicated. We don’t have one national privacy law. Instead, we have a patchwork: different rules for healthcare, education, children’s data, plus state-by-state laws that vary widely.

Other countries to know:

• Canada has PIPEDA, which gives people rights to see, fix, and delete their data
• Brazil has LGPD, similar to Europe’s strong protections
• China has strict rules (PIPL) with heavy oversight, especially for minors

Big News from California (And Why You Should Care, Even If You Don’t Live There)

California often sets the standard that other states follow. In 2025, California passed several new laws that will roll out in 2026 and 2027. Here’s what they do:

🔘 The Browser Toggle (AB 566) – Starts January 2027

What it does: Your web browser will have a built-in switch that tells every website you visit: “Don’t sell or share my data.”

Why it matters: Instead of clicking “opt out” on hundreds of individual websites, you flip one switch. It’s privacy protection that actually works in real life.

🔍 Data Broker Transparency (SB 361) – Starts January 2026

What it does: Companies that collect and sell personal information (data brokers) must now disclose more about what they’re doing and make it easier for you to delete your data.

Why it matters: There are companies buying and selling information about your family that you’ve never heard of. Now they have to be more honest and accountable.

🗑️ Social Media Deletion Done Right (AB 656) – Starts January 2026

What it does: When you delete a social media account, the company must also delete your personal data, not just hide your profile.

Why it matters: Your digital footprint shouldn’t haunt you forever. True deletion means true control.

🏥 Protecting Sensitive Locations (AB 45) – Starts January 2026

What it does: Limits how companies can track or use data about people near healthcare facilities, clinics, or other sensitive locations.

Why it matters: Visiting a doctor or counselor is private. This stops companies from using that information to target you with ads or worse.

What This Means for Your Family:

Privacy Gets Easier

The best rights are useless if they’re too complicated to use. The browser toggle means California families can protect their privacy with one click, not 100.

The Invisible Middlemen Get Exposed

Data brokers operate in the shadows. These new rules shine a light on who’s collecting information about your kids and give you tools to fight back.

Digital Spring Cleaning Actually Works

When kids (or you) decide to leave a social platform, their data leaves with them. No more ghost profiles collecting dust and risk.

Sensitive Moments Stay Private

Healthcare visits, therapy appointments, and family planning shouldn’t become data points for marketers. Now they’re better protected.

How to Talk About This at Home or in the Classroom

For younger kids: “Some websites want to share information about you with other companies. New rules are like a stop sign that tells them ‘No, don’t do that.’”

For middle schoolers: “You know how when you delete a social media account, it feels like it might still be out there? New laws say companies have to actually delete it, for real.”

For high schoolers: “There are companies called data brokers who buy and sell information about people, including you. New laws make them tell you what they have and let you delete it.”

For fellow adults: “Think of the browser toggle like a universal ‘Do Not Call’ list, but for your online data. It’s privacy protection that finally makes sense.”

The Bottom Line for Parents & Educators

Privacy laws are catching up with reality. California’s new rules turn abstract rights into practical tools: a browser switch, real deletion, accountability for data collectors, and shields around sensitive spaces.

Your job?

1. Learn about these tools so you can use them
2. Teach kids about their rights so they understand what privacy means
3. Model good digital habits so they see privacy as normal, not paranoid

The internet isn’t going anywhere. But with the right laws and the right knowledge, we can make it safer for the kids we care about.

Want to Learn More?

For California residents:

• California Privacy Protection Agency – Official resource for understanding your rights
• How to exercise your privacy rights in California

General privacy resources:

• EPIC (Electronic Privacy Information Center) – Privacy news and advocacy
• Common Sense Media – Privacy guides for families and educators

Teaching resources:

• Search for “digital citizenship curriculum” to find age-appropriate lessons about online privacy
• Many school districts offer free resources for teaching internet safety

Privacy protection starts with information. Share this guide with other parents and educators in your community.