Cookie Policy

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SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Children’s Privacy Policy have been recently updated. Because the documents are quite long, we have prepared this summary for those who want to understand the changes but might prefer to read the full Privacy Policy later.

Privacy Policy

  • To provide additional transparency about the different types of information we collect from members, event participants, survey participants, donors, and users of our educational services, and how that information is used.
  • To explain in greater detail how we use information for marketing and advertising activities, including the use of custom audiences for certain Common Sense services, and to clarify where those practices do not apply.
  • To add information about new and updated service features, including passwordless sign-in ("magic links"), educational quizzes and interactive experiences, and changes to teen account availability.

Cookie Policy

  • To provide additional information about how cookies, SDKs, analytics tools, and similar technologies operate across Common Sense websites, applications, and services, including how cookie preferences may vary by domain, browser, or device.

Children's Privacy Policy

  • To reflect the discontinuation of children’s accounts and to clarify the limited circumstances in which Common Sense collects information from children after the discontinuation through educational services, quizzes, and interactive learning experiences, as well as the safeguards we apply to protect children’s information.

Our update will go into effect June 25, 2026.

COOKIE POLICY

This Cookie Policy outlines how we use cookies, web beacons, SDKs, and similar technologies (“cookies”) to collect and store certain information automatically when you visit www.commonsensemedia.org and www.commonsense.org,  (collectively, the 'Sites'), as well as all other applications ('Apps'), services, and websites that link to this Cookie Policy (collectively, the 'Services'). It provides transparency regarding:

  1. Types of Technologies Used: Describes the different categories of technologies used. It also identifies the different types of cookies (e.g., advertisers, analytics providers) used through our Sites and Apps, and how they collect data.
  2. Data Collected and Purposes for the Collection: Specifies what data cookies collect, like browsing behavior or preferences, and how that data is used, such as for improving user experience, tracking website performance, enabling certain functionalities, or delivering targeted ads.
  3. User Rights and Options: Informs users about their rights, including the ability to manage or opt out of cookies through browser settings or provided consent management tools.

COOKIE PREFERENCES ARE MANAGED AT THE DOMAIN, BROWSER, AND DEVICE LEVEL. YOUR CHOICES ON ONE COMMON SENSE SITE, BROWSER, OR DEVICE MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY CARRY OVER TO ANOTHER SITE, BROWSER, DEVICE, OR THE COMMON SENSE MEDIA APP. IF YOU CLEAR COOKIES OR CHANGE BROWSERS/DEVICES, YOU MAY NEED TO UPDATE YOUR PREFERENCES AGAIN. 

For more information about the different domains and properties and how cookie consent works across them, please visit our help page on Common Sense domains, Services, and Cookie Preferences.

TYPES OF TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES USED

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small data file stored on your computer, mobile phone, tablet, or similar device (a "device") when you visit a website. Cookies collect information about your interactions with the Site and Services, like your preferences, login status, or tracking activity for analytics purposes, which may help us to personalize your experience when you arrive or to do other important things (such as keeping our network secure). Some cookies are essential for the Services to function properly, while others are used to personalize content, improve user experience, or provide targeted advertisements. These cookies are invisible to you, and any portion of our Services may contain them.

What is a web beacon?

A web beacon, also known as a pixel, is a small piece of data embedded with images on pages of the Services or in emails, which allows us to collect information such as the number of users that have visited a web page or opened an email. We use web beacons to measure the effectiveness of our content and campaigns and how visitors use our Services. This allows us to learn what pages are most attractive to our visitors, which parts of our Services are the most interesting, and what kind of offers our visitors like to see.

What is an SDK?

A Software Development Kit (SDK) is a set of tools and resources that developers use to build or enhance websites or mobile applications. In the context of apps, SDKs can collect data, such as user interactions, performance metrics, or analytics, similar to cookies. SDKs are often used to integrate third-party services like social media, advertising, or analytics platforms into an app or website.

What are the different types of cookies?

Persistent vs. session cookies

Session cookies. These are only stored for the duration of your visit to our Site or Services and are deleted from your device when you close your browser.

Persistent cookies. These are saved on your device for a fixed period of time after the browser has closed. They may continue to be used where we or a third party need to identify you for a subsequent browsing session.

First and third-party cookies

First party cookies. These are set on your device by our Site.

Third party cookies. These are cookies that are used within our Services, which are set by organizations other than us. These include cookies from external analytics services which help us to understand the use of our Services.

DATA COLLECTION AND PURPOSES FOR THE COLLECTION

Depending on the type of account you have, and whether you are logged in to that account or not, or are a subscriber, we may use all or some of the following first and third-party cookies.

Necessary Cookies. Necessary cookies enable the core operation of our Services and cannot be switched off in our systems. They include cookies that we use to help control secure areas of our Services and to make sure it is accessible to you. We may also use cookies and similar tracking technology to enforce any limitations we have set on access to our content, such as if we only permit certain subscribers to have unlimited access (for example, to reviews). You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the Services will not work as a result, such as creating an account.

Necessary cookies typically collect the following information:

  • Session data: Information needed to maintain your session, such as a unique session ID that keeps you logged in as you navigate our Site or Services.
  • Login details: Information related to authentication, like remembering your login credentials or user status (e.g., logged-in or logged-out).
  • Preferences: Basic settings and preferences, such as language selection, currency, or privacy preferences (e.g., consent for cookies).
  • Security-related information: Data related to the secure use of the Site and Services, like preventing unauthorized access or ensuring secure transactions.

The information collected through Necessary Cookies is used for the following purposes:

  • Service functionality: Necessary cookies are essential for the Site and Services to function properly. They enable basic services like page or screen navigation, access to secure areas, and maintaining session continuity.
  • Security: These cookies protect your data by ensuring secure connections and preventing fraudulent activity.
  • User preferences: They remember preferences (e.g., language, region, or privacy settings) to provide a more seamless experience.
  • Ensuring performance: Necessary cookies help the Site and Services deliver content efficiently and ensure that it operates without interruptions.

These cookies do not collect data for marketing purposes and are usually exempt from consent requirements under privacy regulations, as they are critical for the Services’ core functionality.

Analytics Cookies. These cookies allow us to collect information about patterns of behavior among people using the Site or Services. Analytics cookies allow us to count visits to the Site and Services and understand traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our Site and Services. 

Analytics cookies typically collect the following information:

  • User behavior data: Information on how you interact with the Services, such as pages and screens visited, time spent on each page or screen, clicks, scrolling behavior, and navigation paths.
  • Device and browser information: Data about the device you're using (e.g., desktop, mobile) and your browser type or version.
  • Geographic location: General location information based on your IP address, typically to understand where users are accessing the Site and Services from.
  • Traffic sources: Data on how you arrived on the Sites and on the Services (e.g., via search engine, direct visit, or from another website).
  • Performance metrics: Information on page load times, error reports, and how well different sections of the Site and Services are functioning.

The information collected through Analytics Cookies is used for the following purposes:

  • Services performance analysis: To understand how visitors use the Site and Services and identify areas for improvement. This helps in optimizing the Site and Services layout, content, and user experience.
  • Traffic and usage tracking: To monitor overall traffic to the Site and Services, page or screen popularity, and visitor trends over time, allowing for better content and marketing strategies.
  • Improving user experience: By analyzing user behavior, Common Sense can make data-driven decisions to enhance navigation, reduce friction, and improve usability.
  • Measuring the effectiveness of content: To determine what content or features are most engaging or useful to users, helping businesses tailor their offerings accordingly.

We use third-party software code to record users’ interactions with the Services in a manner that allows us to watch and analyze visual reconstructions of those user sessions. The replays include users’ clicks, mobile app touches, mouse movements, and scrolls during those sessions. We do not record keystrokes or other information you may privately input on the Site, such as passwords, payment data, or profile information. These replays help us diagnose usability problems as well as identify trends and areas for improvement. One our the providers for this technology is Amplitude, which you can learn more about here: https://amplitude.com/.

Analytics cookies collect data to provide insights into how our Services perform and how users interact with them. The collected information is typically anonymized and aggregated, meaning it is used for statistical purposes rather than identifying individual users. However, these cookies may still require user consent.

Personalization Cookies. Personalization cookies are used to adapt the Site and Services’ content and services to fit your specific needs and interests. These cookies enhance user experience by making our Services more relevant to individual users, offering personalized recommendations and saving settings across sessions. Depending on privacy laws, consent may be required before these cookies can be used.

These cookies help us offer relevant content and a more seamless browsing experience. They recognize you when you return to our Services and help you use them. For example, we use cookies to remember choices you make and provide personalization and features based on your choices. We do not use these cookies when Teens are logged in to their accounts.

Personalization Cookies typically collect the following information:

  • User preferences: Data about your choices and preferences, such as language selection, theme preferences (e.g., dark mode), and region-specific settings.
  • Browsing history: Information on your past visits, including the content you’ve viewed, sections of the Services you frequent, and actions you’ve taken (e.g., items you’ve liked or saved).
  • User profile information: Details related to your account, if applicable, such as past orders, saved items, or interests you've explicitly shared.
  • Interaction data: How you engage with specific features or content, like personalized product recommendations, search queries, or multimedia interactions.

The information collected through Personalization Cookies is used for the following purposes:

  • Customized user experience: Personalization Cookies help deliver content, recommendations, or features that are tailored to your preferences and behavior, making your experience more relevant and enjoyable.
  • Remembering settings: They store your language, region, and other preference settings to ensure the Site and Services adapt to your individual needs on each visit.
  • Providing relevant content: Based on your browsing history or interactions, these cookies help show articles, products, or suggestions that align with your interests.
  • Optimizing user journeys: They streamline how you interact with the Site and Services by remembering your previous actions and preferences, reducing the need for you to reconfigure settings.

Targeting/Advertising Cookies. These cookies are primarily used for personalization and enhancing user engagement to deliver more relevant marketing and promotional campaigns and interactive features. 

Common Sense does not track through Targeting/Advertising Cookies to deliver relevant content on CommonSense.org. However, our Sites (including CommonSense.org) may feature YouTube videos that use their own cookies and similar tracking technologies. When you interact with a YouTube video, YouTube collects information about your device, browser, and activity through YouTube-controlled tracking technologies. Such information is controlled by YouTube and governed by YouTube's own privacy practices.

Targeting/Advertising Cookies typically collect the following information:

  • Browsing history and behavior: Pages or screens visited, time spent, clicks, and interactions on the Site and Services.
  • Inference data: Information about your interests or preferences, often inferred from browsing patterns.
  • IP address and geolocation: To identify your location and deliver region-specific ads.

The data collected on our media site (CommonSenseMedia.org) and app through cookies and SDKs for targeting and advertising is used for several key purposes:

  • Personalized Advertising: To send you campaigns or show you ads for our services that are more relevant to your interests based on your browsing history and activity across different sites.
  • Retargeting: To display ads for our products or services when you have interacted with them previously, even across different websites.
  • Measuring Ad Performance: To assess the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and optimize future efforts.

In addition to cookie-based advertising, we may create custom audiences or similar segments with advertising platforms to promote Common Sense Media services. See our Privacy Policy  for more information. 

Unclassified Cookies.  We regularly scan our Sites for Cookies using our consent management platform (CMP). Unclassified Cookies are those that the system cannot identify and categorize from that scan. It is our responsibility to manually classify these Cookies into the correct category, which can be onerous and time-consuming. While completing this categorization process, we classify them as “Unclassified”, which gives our users the option to opt out of them.

USERS RIGHTS AND OPTIONS

Please see our Privacy Notice for a full description of your privacy rights.

Your Rights Regarding Cookies

If you want to change your cookie settings, including providing or withdrawing consent to any unnecessary cookies, you can do so at any time by clicking on the "Cookie Settings" link at the bottom of the CommonSenseMedia.org or CommonSense.org, or through the Service you are visiting. Please see below for a listing of cookies by domain:

You can also broadcast the Global Privacy Control (GPC) to opt-out of Targeting and Social Media Cookies for each participating browser system that you use. Learn more at the Global Privacy Control website .

You can update your SDK settings in the App by toggling on and off the SDK categories in the “Privacy Settings”.

You can also exercise cookie options in a browser, including removing previously placed cookies or changing your browser settings to notify you when you receive a cookie or not accept cookies generally. However, if you disable this function, you will not be able to use some of the features on our Services. To learn more about how to control privacy settings and cookie management, click the link for your browser below.