Privacy and Safety

on MSN Kids Web sites

Information for Kids | Information for Parents

Are you a kid?
Microsoft has created some special sites on MSN just for kids. MSN's "kids sites" currently include MSN Kids (for kids 8-12), and MSN Kids Search. At these sites you will find stories, games and other fun stuff created just for you!

When you are on MSN's kids sites, you won't need to enter personal information about yourself, like your name, age, e-mail address, telephone number or address.

MSN's kids sites use "cookies," which are small files saved on your computer. Cookies are used to store small amounts of information, such as your favorite pages or your game scores. No personal information about you - like your name or e-mail address - is collected or stored by the cookies used on MSN's kids sites.

We will always mark the paid advertisements on MSN's kids sites with a label that says "ad" or "advertisement."

MSN's kids sites provide links to other Web sites. Some of these Web sites might have stuff on them for adults as well as kids. We will make it clear when you are leaving an MSN kids site for a different Web site. We can make sure that you're safe on MSN's kids sites, but we can't watch out for you on other Web sites. So when you leave MSN's kids sites to go to another Web site, check with your parents -- especially if that Web site asks for any personal information about you or your family.

Let your parents know every time someone asks for your personal information online, even when it's a friend. Your parent will tell you when it's OK to give out your personal information. It's better to be safe than sorry, so always ask first!

Most of all, we want you to have fun and stay safe online!

More information about MSN’s kids Web sites for parents and other interested adults:

Information collection:

Microsoft is especially concerned about protecting children's personal information collected and used online. Microsoft has created some special sites on MSN specifically for children. MSN's "kids sites" currently include MSN Kids (for kids 8-12) and MSN Kids Search. MSN's kids sites currently do not collect any personally identifiable information from children who visit the sites. Nor is any personal information collected from IP addresses, log files or other backend systems. MSN's kids sites may collect certain aggregate data, such as the number of users who visit the Web site, and may share that data with partners and advertisers.

When the MSN's kids sites add features that involve the collection of personal information (such as electronic greeting cards, newsletters or bulletin boards), these features will comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 ("COPPA"), and there will be a parental consent process in place. This Privacy Statement will be updated when these features are added, so please periodically review this page and the complete TRUSTe approved Microsoft Online Privacy Statement (see link at bottom of page).

Use of cookies:

MSN's kids sites use "cookies," which are small files saved on your computer. Cookies are used to store small amounts of information, such as your child's site preferences or game scores. Information collected through cookies on MSN's kids sites does not include any personal information, nor will it be linked to any personal information you or your child submit through other Microsoft sites, either now or in the future; nor is it shared with outside third parties.

Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. If you prefer, you can set yours to refuse cookies. However, you and your children might not be able to take full advantage of a Web site if you do so. For example, accepting cookies can save you extra steps, such as resetting preferences each time you visit a favorite site.

Use of advertising:

Advertisers on MSN's kids sites are responsible for their own information collection practices and COPPA compliance. However, MSN will make reasonable efforts to work with its advertisers to help ensure that the content of the ad and the content on the Web page to which the ad links are appropriate for children aged 12 and under. MSN will also mark all advertisements on its kids sites with a label that says "ad" or "advertisement." For more information on MSN Third Party Advertising, please view the Microsoft Online Privacy Statement (see link at bottom of page).

Use of links:

MSN's kids sites will provide various links from its pages to other Web sites, including general audience MSN Web sites (like Encarta or MSNBC), our content providers' Web sites and our advertisers' Web sites. These links are carefully selected with the interests, privacy and safety of children in mind. MSN will make reasonable efforts to work with our content providers and advertisers to help ensure that all content linked to from MSN's kids sites is appropriate for children aged 12 and under. In cases where it might not be clear from the link itself, MSN will notify users when they are clicking a link on MSN's kids sites that takes them to another Web site where information collection practices may be different than on MSN's kids sites. We recommend that you review the privacy statements of other Web sites that you and your children visit. MSN is not responsible for the content or information collection practices of third-party Web sites.

Other questions? You can get in touch with us here:

MSN Privacy
Microsoft Corporation
One Redmond Way
Redmond, WA 98052
425-882-8080