Is that holiday app safe? Better check it twice

For Christmas, kids can engage in live video chats with Santa, witness a reindeer feeding or monitor Santa's sleigh. For Hanukkah, kids can illuminate a virtual menorah and play a dreidel game. For Kwanzaa, there are games to learn the principles, light a kinara and count down the days until the holiday. It's evident apps will continue to play a significant role during the holiday season. However, before permitting your child to download any app, it's essential to understand the data it may collect and establish appropriate permission settings.

Tips for parents when selecting apps for your child

—Review the privacy policy. Responsible apps designed for children should offer a clear and accessible privacy policy. Apps and websites provide links to their privacy policies in the app store or on their homepage. If you can't find a privacy policy, it's a warning sign that its privacy and data collection practices may not comply with COPPA, and you should carefully consider whether you want to download that app. A comprehensive privacy policy should include information on who collects personal data, the types of data collected, its intended use, storage procedures, data access, parental rights and opt-out options.

—Understand data collection. Online services for children cannot collect photos, videos or voice recordings from children under 13 without first obtaining parental consent. Apps also must obtain parental approval before children share personal information publicly. Prior to your child downloading an app, investigate what kind of data it may collect, using resources like Apple's Privacy Details section in the App Store.

—Set permission controls. Many free apps may include in-app purchases children can access once they are downloaded with parental consent. Ensure your child's device requires a password for each download.

—Exercise caution with free apps. Most free apps tend to feature more advertising than those with a nominal fee. Free apps including educational ones may incorporate deceptive or inappropriate advertising practices. Ads can be frequent and mandatory to advance in a game, sometimes tempting children to purchase in-game items. Apps meant for both children and parents may display ads intended for older audiences. Even free apps without visible ads may still collect data for future ad targeting. Adjust your device settings to mitigate surreptitious ad targeting. To avoid furtive ad targeting, make sure to adjust your iOS or Android device settings.

—Think before downloading. Be cautious about downloading apps, as some free apps may contain malware. To ensure the safety of your device, make sure the app store page includes a privacy policy link, contact information and the publisher's address details. Use common sense to assess the apps' credibility, as crude designs or imitations of well-known characters may indicate potential issues.

—Read reviews. Services such as Common Sense Media can help you determine whether the app's content is suitable for your child.