Understanding Playschool Children’s Data and the Risks That Come With It

Protect Children’s Data From Day One

Playschools work with children at the most sensitive stage of life. Parents trust these institutions not just with early learning, but with their child’s safety, emotions, and identity. In today’s digital environment, that trust also extends to how a child’s personal data is collected, stored, shared, and protected.

Under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023, playschools carry a heightened responsibility. Children’s data is classified as sensitive, and any misuse—intentional or accidental—can have long-term consequences. To protect children effectively, playschools must first understand what data they hold and what risks are associated with it.

What Counts as Children’s Data in a Playschool

Many playschools underestimate how much personal data they manage every day. Children’s data goes far beyond names and admission forms. It includes photographs and videos, daily activity updates, parent and guardian contact details, medical or allergy information, behavioural observations, attendance records, CCTV footage, transport details, and communication history across apps or messaging platforms.
Individually, these may seem harmless. But when combined, they create a detailed digital profile of a very young child, one that must be handled with extreme care.
DPDPA recognises this risk and expects playschools to treat every piece of children’s data as an extension of child safety.

Why Children’s Data Is Especially Vulnerable

Unlike adults, children cannot understand how their data is used or protect themselves from misuse. In playschools, every digital decision is made on a child’s behalf.

The risks increase because:

• Children cannot give consent themselves
• Parents often assume schools will “do the right thing”
• Data is frequently shared casually through photos and updates
• Staff may not be trained in privacy-safe practices
• Data is often stored longer than necessary

Once a child’s image or information is exposed, it cannot be taken back. This makes prevention, not correction, the most important strategy.

Common Risks Playschools Face With Children’s Data

Many data risks in playschools arise unintentionally, through everyday practices.

Photos shared in parent groups may be seen by families unrelated to the child. Shared cloud folders can allow downloads and forwarding. Messaging apps offer no control once content leaves the group. Medical or behavioural notes may be stored on personal devices. Old data may remain accessible even after a child leaves the school.

Under DPDPA, even accidental exposure is considered a serious issue. The law does not distinguish between intent and impact when it comes to protecting children.

Parental Consent: More Than a Formality

DPDPA makes verifiable parental consent mandatory before collecting or using a child’s personal data. For playschools, this is the first and most critical safeguard.

Consent must be clear, purpose-specific, and easy to withdraw. Parents should know exactly why data is collected, how it will be used, who can access it, and how long it will be retained.

When consent is vague or bundled into admission forms, it weakens trust and increases risk. Transparent consent practices, on the other hand, reassure parents and protect the institution.

Data Minimisation: Protecting Children by Collecting Less

One of the most effective ways to reduce risk is to collect only what is necessary.

Playschools often store extra photos, duplicate documents, or outdated records simply because they always have. DPDPA encourages schools to question every piece of data:
Is it needed? Is it still relevant? Should it be deleted?

Less stored data means fewer chances of exposure and stronger protection for children.

Staff Awareness: The Human Element of Child Data Safety

Most data incidents in playschools are not caused by technology failures, but by human error. A well-meaning teacher or administrator may unknowingly put a child’s data at risk.

This is why DPDPA emphasises organisational responsibility. Playschools must ensure that every adult who handles children’s data understands safe practices—how to share photos, where to store files, how to respond to parent requests, and what not to do.

When staff are aware, child safety becomes a daily habit, not a rulebook.

Why Understanding Data Risks Builds Parent Trust

Parents today are more aware of digital risks than ever before. They want reassurance that their child’s images, records, and information are safe.

Playschools that demonstrate understanding and control over children’s data:

• Reduce parent anxiety
• Prevent misunderstandings
• Strengthen relationships
• Show professionalism and care
• Stand out as responsible institutions

Data protection becomes a visible sign of quality.

Child Safety Includes Digital Safety

Playschools play a vital role in shaping early childhood experiences. In the DPDP era, that role includes protecting a child’s digital footprint from the very beginning.

By understanding what children’s data includes, recognising the risks, obtaining proper consent, training staff, and minimising unnecessary data, playschools can create environments where children are safe in every sense: physically, emotionally, and digitally.

Protecting children’s data is not an extra task. It is part of nurturing them.
Build a privacy-first playschool with DPDP-ready systems designed for early-age institutions. Book a Free Playschool Data Safety Consultation