Children's Online Safety: Policy, Responsibility, and Industry Leadership

Children’s online privacy and safety remain central issues in U.S. policy discussions at both the state and federal levels. As lawmakers and regulators consider new approaches to protecting young users, there is growing interest in how responsible industry practices and self-regulatory programs can strengthen protections while supporting innovation and free expression.

This briefing will explore the current policy landscape of children’s online privacy and safety, including enforcement trends, emerging legislative proposals, regulatory priorities, and evolving expectations for platforms and digital services. Speakers will highlight existing safeguards and discuss how industry-led initiatives, such as BBB National Programs’ Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) and safe harbor frameworks, can complement legislative and regulatory efforts.

As the nation's first FTC-approved COPPA safe harbor, CARU brings deep expertise to the successes and challenges of children’s online privacy. The COPPA Safe Harbor certification process includes a comprehensive audit and findings assessment for all relevant products as well as ongoing monitoring and support from the BBB National Programs team. Join us to pull back the curtain and see how safe harbors work alongside the federal government.

The discussion will also examine practical approaches companies are using to design safer online experiences for children and teens while maintaining innovation and access to valuable online services.

Featured Speakers:

Hanna Abrams, Assistant Attorney General, State of Maryland
Nadia Aram, Of Counsel, Womble Bond Dickinson
Daniel Hales, Policy Counsel, Future of Privacy Forum
Dona Fraser, Senior Vice President, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National Programs
Charlie Germano, Counsel, Senior Technologist, BBB National Programs

BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than 20 globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create fair competition for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas.

The Center for Industry Self-Regulation (CISR), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was created by BBB National Programs to harness the historic power of self-regulation, a form of soft law, to empower business accountability. CISR is dedicated to research that supports the development of new initiatives, education on the conditions necessary for industry self-regulation to succeed, and incubation of new industry self-regulation programs, such as the Institute for Responsible Influence (IRI). Learn more about CISR at industryselfregulation.org. Learn more about IRI at responsibleinfluence.org.

Womble Bond Dickinson is a full-service, international law firm with deep market knowledge and global capabilities. With more than 1,300 lawyers across 39 U.S. and U.K. offices, our team delivers enhanced practice depth, sector know‑how, and expansive geographic reach—all through a client‑centered approach that sets us apart. With insights gleaned from working side-by-side with clients, cutting-edge technology, and diverse experience, we offer A Point of View Like No Other to solve problems and forge new paths ahead.