Age Appropriate Design

The Age Appropriate Design Code is a statutory code of practice for providers of digital services that are likely to be used by children in the UK. It came into force on 2nd September 2020 and is overseen by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

What are its aims?

The code sets out how to design online services to ensure they are appropriate for use by children. It helps companies develop services that cater for the fact that children warrant special protection in how their personal data is used. At the same time, it acknowledges that children need plenty of opportunities to explore and develop online. The code seeks to protect children within the digital world, not protect them from it.

What’s in it?

Like the GDPR, the basis of the code is a set of straightforward principles, in this case 15 ‘standards’ that suppliers have to abide by. The ICO provides a summary of these here and more detail on each standard here.

How is this relevant to me?

Children are being ‘datafied’, with numerous companies and organisations acquiring many thousands of data points about them by the time they are adults. The code is an important regulatory response to this, requiring that the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration when determining if and how this data is processed.

To anyone working with children, therefore, it is essential. It is a key way you and your organisation can help limit the ‘datafication’ of the children in your care. It is also integral to your compliance with the Data Protection Act.

How can I implement it?

Understand the basics (read this blog) and the detail (read the standards). Thereafter, ensure that your organisation only procures digital services that conform to this code.