Twin Cities Public Television is committed to providing a fun and safe place for kids, including at tpt.org  This statement (the "Policy") tells you what information we collect from kids at the tpt.org Web site (the "Site"), and how we maintain and use such information. This is in accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) and is separate from tpt’s general privacy policy (tpt privacy policy). Except for material changes to this Policy (in which case we will notify the parent personally), if we make any changes to this Policy, they will be posted on this page and will be effective when posted. Your continued use of this Site following the posting of any change shows your acceptance of the changes.

The only place where tpt.org knowingly collects any personal information from children under the age of 13 is to allow the child  to enter our Young Writers/ Illustrators Contest using our online entry form and/or to use our tpt Kids Story Creator (collectively, the “Contest”). When filling out the Contest online entry form (link) the child will be asked their first name and last initial, grade in school and birth date (the “Information”). At that time the parent’s email address must also be provided. Once the online entry form is submitted, tpt will send a notification email to the parent of any entrant under the age of 13, in order to confirm the parent has given permission for the child’s Information to be provided, and requesting further information, including the child’s full name and address (“Personal Information”). The Personal Information is only used by tpt internally in order to identify Contest entrants, notify Contest winners and for the overall administration of the Contest. We do not share this information with any third parties. No other information will be collected by tpt about the child.  Tpt will keep the Personal Information only for archival purposes for possible future activities, such as an anniversary party for past Contest winners.  A parent may have access to any information provided about their child at any time by emailing vmendez@tpt.org or by calling 651-229-1536 and/or may opt out of tpt keeping the Information by the same method. However, in such a case, the child would have to mail or fax a paper copy of the Contest entry form in order to be able to enter the Contest. We do also sometimes post winning stories on tpt.org, with permission, but in such cases only identify the winner using his/her first name, grade and city. We will not condition a child's participation in the Contest on the child's providing more personal information than is necessary in order to allow such participation. There are not other instances where tpt knowingly collects any personal information from any children under the age of 13.

PARENTS:
It is important for you to talk with your child about using the Internet safely. Here are just a few things to keep in mind when talking to your kids about the Internet:
   * Remind your child to never give out his or her full name, address, or phone number without your permission.
   * Tell your child that if he or she receives something that he or she is not sure about, to let you know.
   * Impress upon your child the importance of never engaging others in a communication that would put him or her at risk, such as agreeing to meet someone he or she has been "chatting" with, but never met.