Why Kids Apps Have Special Rules
Apps designed for children face the strictest regulatory and platform requirements in mobile development. Both Apple and Google enforce additional rules beyond their standard guidelines because children deserve extra privacy protection, and laws like COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) in the US, GDPR-K in Europe, and similar regulations worldwide mandate it.
Getting this wrong can result in app removal, legal action, and significant fines (COPPA violations carry penalties up to $50,000 per incident).
Apple: Kids Category Requirements
If you list your app in the Kids category on the App Store, these rules apply:
Age Subcategories
Apple divides the Kids category into three groups:
- Ages 5 and under
- Ages 6-8
- Ages 9-11
You must select one. Your app cannot span multiple age groups.
Data Collection
- No third-party analytics or advertising SDKs that collect personal data
- No links to external websites or apps without a parental gate
- No purchasing opportunities without a parental gate
- The app itself must not collect personally identifiable information from children
Advertising
- If your app shows ads, they must be appropriate for children
- No behavioral advertising (targeting based on user data)
- All ads must be reviewed by a human (automated ad networks are risky)
- Many developers choose to go ad-free in Kids apps to avoid complications
Parental Gates
Required for:
- Any link that takes the user outside the app
- Any purchasing mechanism
- Any settings that parents should control
The gate must require an action that a child cannot easily perform (e.g., solving a math problem, entering text, specific gestures).
Updates and Compliance
If your app is already in the Kids category and you submit an update that violates these rules, Apple will reject the update and may remove the existing app.
Google Play: Designed for Families
Google's program for children's apps is called "Designed for Families." To participate:
Eligibility
- App must target children under 13 (or the applicable age in the user's country)
- Must comply with Google's Families Policy
- Must complete the target audience declaration in Play Console
Advertising Requirements
- Only Google-certified ad networks may be used
- No interest-based advertising or remarketing to children
- Ad content must be appropriate for children
- Ads must be clearly distinguishable from app content
Data and Privacy
- Must comply with COPPA and applicable local laws
- Must provide a privacy policy that addresses children's data practices
- Cannot use the Advertising ID for profiling minors
- Data Safety section must accurately reflect data handling for child users
Content
- No violence, sexual content, or inappropriate themes
- Social features require robust moderation
- In-app messaging between users is heavily scrutinized
COPPA Compliance Essentials
Regardless of platform, if your app targets US children under 13:
- Provide notice - Your privacy policy must detail what data is collected from children, how it is used, and who has access
- Obtain verifiable parental consent - Before collecting personal information from children
- Allow parents to review data - Parents must be able to see what data has been collected
- Allow parents to delete data - Parents must be able to request deletion
- Minimize data collection - Only collect what is necessary for the app to function
- Protect collected data - Implement reasonable security measures
Common Pitfalls
- Third-party SDKs - The most frequent issue. Many popular SDKs (analytics, crash reporting, ads) collect data that violates kids app policies. Audit every SDK.
- User-generated content - If kids can create and share content, you need robust content moderation
- Push notifications - Some platforms restrict or prohibit push notifications in kids apps
- Account creation - Avoid requiring accounts from children. If necessary, use a parent's account
- External links - Every link leaving the app must have a parental gate
Testing Your Compliance
Before submitting:
- Audit all network traffic from your app using a proxy tool
- Verify no unexpected data is being sent to third-party servers
- Test all parental gates thoroughly
- Review every SDK's data collection practices
- Have your privacy policy reviewed by a lawyer familiar with COPPA