Research clinic: Internet research
 How do I get parental consent for under 16s online?
 With current technology is it not possible to be certain of the age and identity of internet users. Therefore, when it is known, or ought reasonably to be known, that all or a majority of respondents are likely to be under 16, you must ensure that respondents are asked to give their age before any other personal information is requested. If the age given is under 16, the child must be excluded from giving further personal information until the appropriate consent from a parent or responsible adult has been obtained.
Parental consent should be obtained in a manner that allows the identity of the person giving the consent to be independently verified. Obtaining consent via e-mail may be problematic as many children have free access to their parents’ e-mail accounts. If this option is used it should be followed up by a letter or a telephone call.
What information should be included in an online privacy policy?
Researchers and research organisations carrying out research on the internet must develop a privacy policy. This statement should be made available as a link for all online research. Some of the privacy policy may vary depending on the nature of the research and sampling method being used. The order and wording of the statement are a matter for the researcher to decide.
Typically a statement would outline who is doing the research, whom it is for, a guarantee of confidentiality and an assurance that the respondent will not be misled. It should also state that cooperation is voluntary and that the respondent can withdraw at any time. If cookies are used, information must be given about their purpose and the respondent given the opportunity to refuse them. The statement should also outline security measures used, the purposes for which the information provided will be accessed, and limits on the number of employees who can view the information.
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