The main objective for writing this column is to share great resources that are buried throughout millions of online pages about Internet safety tips.

When speaking to audiences of folks in charge of cyber security education and awareness in their organization, I always tell them NOT to create any new educational materials. No one has time to recreate resources in this fast-moving environment, and so much good information is already free and ready to use. If you or your family uses mobile apps, the information below is a key resource.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has resources for parents to help them understand mobile app privacy issues and best practices. For two consecutive years, the FTC has published reports on mobile apps for kids.

Published in December 2012, the Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade reports the findings of a survey done during the summer of 2012 examining privacy disclosures and apps linking to social media. The survey found that, “…many apps included interactive features or shared kids’ information with third parties without disclosing these practices to parents.”

Here are a few more of the key findings from FTC's Second Kids' App Report Finds Little Progress in Addressing Privacy Concerns Surrounding Mobile Applications for Children that will help you become a better consumer by knowing what to look for:

• Parents are not being provided with information about what data an app collects, who will have access to that data, and how it will be used. Only 20 percent of the apps staff reviewed disclosed any information about the app’s privacy practices.

• Many apps (nearly 60 percent of the apps surveyed) are transmitting information from a user's device back to the app developer or, more commonly, to an advertising network, analytics company, or other third party.

• A relatively small number of third parties received information from a large number of apps. This means the third parties that receive information from multiple apps could potentially develop detailed profiles of the children based on their behavior in different apps.

• Many apps contain interactive features — such as advertising, links to social media, or the ability to purchase goods within an app — without disclosing those features to parents prior to download:

• Fifty-eight percent of the apps reviewed contained advertising within the app, while only 15 percent disclosed the presence of advertising prior to download.

• Twenty-two percent of the apps contained links to social networking services, while only 9 percent disclosed that fact.

• Seventeen percent of the apps reviewed allow kids to make purchases for virtual goods within the app, with prices ranging from 99 cents to $29.99. Although both stores provided certain indicators when an app contained in-app purchasing capabilities, these indicators were not always prominent and, even if noticed, could be difficult for many parents to understand.

In November 2012, I wrote a column on general app safety recommendations called “Do we really need an app for that? Let's talk about app safety” That column addressed good practices when deciding where to get an app and how to use them safely. Today’s tips address the specific issues of app privacy and kids.

Today’s Quick Tips:

(These tips come from OnGuardOnline.gov “6 Timely Tips for Using Apps with Kids”)

Try out the apps your kid wants to use so you’re comfortable with the content and the features.

Use the device and app settings to restrict a kid’s ability to download apps, make purchases within an app or access additional material.

Consider turning off your wifi and carrier connections using “airplane mode” to disable any interactive features, prevent inadvertent taps and block access to material that you think is inappropriate or just don’t want.

Look for statements about whether the app or anything within the app collects kids’ personal information — and whether they limit sharing, using or retaining the information. If you can’t find those assurances, choose another app.

Check on whether the app connects to social media, gaming platforms or other services that enable sharing photos, video or personal information, or chatting with other players. Then determine whether you can block or limit those connections.

Talk to your kids about the restrictions you set for downloading, purchasing and using apps; tell them what information you’re comfortable sharing through mobile devices, and why.

OnGuardOnline.gov also has tips on Kids and Mobile Phones.

To get more great information about staying safe online, including access to free monthly newsletters, webcasts and more, visit the Center for Internet Security at www.cisecurity.org. Stay tuned for our next chat!

Kristin Judge is the executive director of the Trusted Purchasing Alliance, a division of the Center for Internet Security. She can be reached at kristin.judge@cisecurity.org.