Protecting Children’s Data: Legal Frameworks, Enforcement, and Emerging Technologies

Attorneys are increasingly called upon to advise clients on children’s data practices in a regulatory environment that is both rapidly evolving and highly fragmented. This program provides a practical, current overview of how federal and state privacy laws intersect with modern technologies, including ad tech, social media platforms, and artificial intelligence. In light of heightened regulatory scrutiny and expanding litigation risk, practitioners must be able to assess not only the governing legal frameworks but also how they are interpreted and enforced in practice. This course is designed to enhance attorneys’ ability to identify risk early and provide clear, defensible, and business-oriented advice.

The program will address key federal and state children’s privacy laws, including COPPA, FERPA, and emerging state-level regimes such as Age-Appropriate Design Codes. It will also examine current enforcement activity, developing litigation theories, and the legal implications of increasingly complex data ecosystems driven by advertising technology and AI. Practical guidance will be offered on counseling clients in this space, including compliance program development, vendor and third-party risk allocation, and effective issue spotting, with an emphasis on translating regulatory requirements into operational guidance.

This seminar is intended for privacy, technology, and consumer protection attorneys, as well as in-house counsel advising digital platforms, edtech companies, and advertising businesses. It is also relevant for litigators handling privacy, data security, and product liability matters involving minors. Government attorneys and compliance professionals will benefit from an understanding of current enforcement priorities and regulatory developments. While no advanced technical background is required, a foundational understanding of privacy law is recommended.

This program is appropriate for attorneys at all levels of experience. It begins with foundational legal principles and historical context and progresses to more complex statutory frameworks, enforcement trends, and emerging issues in ad tech and artificial intelligence. Less experienced attorneys will gain a solid grounding in the subject matter, while more experienced practitioners will benefit from a focused analysis of recent developments and practical compliance considerations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the Legal Foundations of Children’s Privacy in the United States.
2. Analyze Key Federal and State Statutes Governing Children’s Data.
3. Evaluate Enforcement Trends and Litigation Risk.
4. Assess Legal Risks in Ad Tech, Social Media, and AI Systems Involving Minors.
5. Advise Clients on Building and Maintaining Children’s Privacy Compliance Programs.