--- title: "What should teams do about Children's Code under the UK GDPR?" canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/children-s-code" source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/children-s-code" author: "Sorena AI" description: "UK GDPR guidance for Children's Code, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations." published_at: "2026-05-09" updated_at: "2026-05-09" keywords: - "UK GDPR" - "Children's Code" - "UK GDPR Children's Code" - "compliance checklist" - "practical guidance" - "Compliance" - "Regulatory guidance" --- **[SORENA](https://www.sorena.io/)** - AI-Powered GRC Platform [Home](https://www.sorena.io/) | [Solutions](https://www.sorena.io/solutions) | [Artifacts](https://www.sorena.io/artifacts) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) | [Contact](https://www.sorena.io/contact) | [Portal](https://app.sorena.io) --- # What should teams do about Children's Code under the UK GDPR? UK GDPR guidance for Children's Code, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. *Artifact Guide* *UK* *Children's Code* ## UK GDPR Children's Code Children's Code decisions under the UK GDPR should be written in operational language: who is in scope, what must happen, what evidence proves it, and when escalation is needed. This guide converts requirements into implementation-ready ownership, evidence, and review decisions. It is practical guidance, supporting implementation planning and should be validated against jurisdiction-specific legal, contractual, and policy requirements before implementation. The Children's Code is the ICO's statutory Age Appropriate Design Code for online services likely to be accessed by children. If your service, app, game, website, or connected device may be used by children, the code sets design and governance standards you need to build into the product and keep under review. ## What should teams do about Children's Code under the UK GDPR? Teams should treat Children's Code under the UK GDPR as a source-linked operating decision for online services likely to be accessed by children: confirm whether the issue affects controller/processor roles, lawful basis, transparency, DPIA, data-subject rights, breach notification, IDTA/Addendum transfers, children data, or ICO enforcement exposure, assign the team that can change the process, and keep evidence showing the action and review trigger. The safest first step is to confirm whether the product or service is likely to be accessed by children, then identify the controller/processor role, purpose, lawful basis, special-category status, right, breach, transfer, or child-data trigger before assigning the UK GDPR action. - Write the Children's Code decision in one sentence before drafting controls. - Attach the external source URL and a short source quote to the evidence record. - Route unclear cases to legal, privacy, security, or compliance review before launch. Sources for this answer: - [UK ICO Age Appropriate Design Code](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-GDPR-guidance-and-resources/childrens-information/childrens-code-guidance-and-resources/age-appropriate-design-a-code-of-practice-for-online-services/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO statutory Children's Code source supporting age-appropriate design duties for online services likely to be accessed by children. - [ICO Children's code design guidance](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/designing-products-that-protect-privacy/childrens-code-design-guidance/getting-started/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO design guidance showing when teams should consider the Children's Code standards and children's best interests during product design. - [Age Appropriate Design Code](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-memorandum-to-the-age-appropriate-design-code-2020-2020?ref=sorena.io) - GOV.UK publication record confirming the Age Appropriate Design Code was laid before Parliament. ## What evidence should teams keep for Children's Code under the UK GDPR? Useful evidence is not just a privacy notice. Keep the source, lawful-basis note, DPIA, rights log, breach assessment, transfer mechanism, processor terms, and approval trail together. - Source URL and quote used for the decision. - Scope notes, screenshots, data-flow or system references, and role mapping. - Implementation ticket, approval record, exception notes, and review date. Sources for this answer: - [ICO Children's code design guidance](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/designing-products-that-protect-privacy/childrens-code-design-guidance/getting-started/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO design guidance showing when teams should consider the Children's Code standards and children's best interests during product design. - [Age Appropriate Design Code](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-memorandum-to-the-age-appropriate-design-code-2020-2020?ref=sorena.io) - GOV.UK publication record confirming the Age Appropriate Design Code was laid before Parliament. - [Data Sharing a Code of Practice](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-GDPR-guidance-and-resources/data-sharing/data-sharing-a-code-of-practice/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO code supporting evidence practices when Children's Code work involves data sharing decisions. ## Which mistakes create risk when handling Children's Code under the UK GDPR? The common failure pattern is copying an EU GDPR answer without checking UK GDPR wording, DPA 2018 limits, ICO guidance, UK transfer tools, PECR overlap, and post-Brexit divergence. - Using an old threshold, deadline, source page, or contract template without checking current source text. - Treating a source-linked exception as a general exemption for every product or data flow. - Publishing notices, controls, or answers that do not match the actual product behavior. Sources for this answer: - [UK ICO Age Appropriate Design Code](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-GDPR-guidance-and-resources/childrens-information/childrens-code-guidance-and-resources/age-appropriate-design-a-code-of-practice-for-online-services/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO statutory Children's Code source supporting age-appropriate design duties for online services likely to be accessed by children. - [ICO Children's code design guidance](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/designing-products-that-protect-privacy/childrens-code-design-guidance/getting-started/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO design guidance showing when teams should consider the Children's Code standards and children's best interests during product design. - [Age Appropriate Design Code](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-memorandum-to-the-age-appropriate-design-code-2020-2020?ref=sorena.io) - GOV.UK publication record confirming the Age Appropriate Design Code was laid before Parliament. - [Data Sharing a Code of Practice](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-GDPR-guidance-and-resources/data-sharing/data-sharing-a-code-of-practice/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO code supporting evidence practices when Children's Code work involves data sharing decisions. - [Article 30 Record of Processing Activities](https://ico.org.uk/media2/migrated/2172936/GDPR-documentation-processor-template.xlsx?ref=sorena.io) - ICO Article 30 template supporting records of processing evidence for Children's Code decisions. ## Primary sources - [UK ICO Age Appropriate Design Code](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-GDPR-guidance-and-resources/childrens-information/childrens-code-guidance-and-resources/age-appropriate-design-a-code-of-practice-for-online-services/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO statutory Children's Code source supporting age-appropriate design duties for online services likely to be accessed by children. - Quote: "best interests of the child are the primary consideration when designing and developing online services" - [ICO Children's code design guidance](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/designing-products-that-protect-privacy/childrens-code-design-guidance/getting-started/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO design guidance showing when teams should consider the Children's Code standards and children's best interests during product design. - Quote: "You must consider the standards and children's best interests at key moments in the design process" - [Age Appropriate Design Code](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-memorandum-to-the-age-appropriate-design-code-2020-2020?ref=sorena.io) - GOV.UK publication record confirming the Age Appropriate Design Code was laid before Parliament. - Quote: "The Age Appropriate Design Code was laid before Parliament on 10 June 2020" - [Data Sharing a Code of Practice](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-GDPR-guidance-and-resources/data-sharing/data-sharing-a-code-of-practice/?ref=sorena.io) - ICO code supporting evidence practices when Children's Code work involves data sharing decisions. - Quote: "As the UK Information Commissioner, I know that data is one of modern society's greatest assets" - [Article 30 Record of Processing Activities](https://ico.org.uk/media2/migrated/2172936/GDPR-documentation-processor-template.xlsx?ref=sorena.io) - ICO Article 30 template supporting records of processing evidence for Children's Code decisions. - Quote: "Headings highlighted green are required areas of documentation under Article 30 of the GDPR" ## Topic Guides - [UK GDPR 72-hour Breach Reporting Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/72-hour-breach-reporting.md): UK GDPR guidance for 72-hour Breach Reporting, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Adequacy Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/adequacy.md): UK GDPR guidance for Adequacy, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR AI And Automated Decisions Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/ai-and-automated-decisions.md): UK GDPR guidance for AI And Automated Decisions, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Applicability Test Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/applicability-test.md): Practical guidance for the UK GDPR applicability test, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Article 30 Records Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/article-30-records.md): UK GDPR guidance for Article 30 Records, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Breach Notification Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/breach-notification.md): UK GDPR guidance for Breach Notification, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Breach Workflow Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/breach-workflow.md): UK GDPR guidance for Breach Workflow, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Children And Age Appropriate Design Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/children-and-age-appropriate-design.md): UK GDPR guidance for Children And Age Appropriate Design, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Children's Code Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/children-s-code.md): UK GDPR guidance for Children's Code, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Compliance Checklist](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/checklist.md): Practical guidance for the UK GDPR checklist, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Compliance FAQ](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq.md): Practical guidance for the UK GDPR FAQ, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Compliance Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/compliance.md): Practical guidance for the UK GDPR compliance, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Controller And Processor Status Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/controller-and-processor-status.md): UK GDPR guidance for Controller And Processor Status, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Data Subject Rights Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/data-subject-rights.md): UK GDPR guidance for Data Subject Rights, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Deadlines and Compliance Calendar Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): UK GDPR guidance for Deadlines and Compliance Calendar, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR DPIA Workflow Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/dpia-workflow.md): UK GDPR guidance for DPIA Workflow, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR DPIAs And DPOs Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/dpias-and-dpos.md): UK GDPR guidance for DPIAs And DPOs, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR DSAR Workflow Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/dsar-workflow.md): UK GDPR guidance for DSAR Workflow, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR IDTA Addendum and Transfer Risk Assessment Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/idta-addendum-and-transfer-risk-assessment.md): UK GDPR guidance for IDTA addendum and transfer risk assessment, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR IDTA vs EU SCCs Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/idta-vs-eu-sccs.md): UK GDPR guidance for IDTA vs EU SCCs, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Lawful Bases Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/lawful-bases.md): UK GDPR guidance for Lawful Bases, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR PECR Cookies Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/pecr-cookies.md): UK GDPR and PECR cookie guidance with practical consent, exemption, evidence, and source-linked implementation decisions. - [UK GDPR penalties and fines Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/penalties-and-fines.md): UK GDPR guidance for penalties and fines, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Requirements Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/requirements.md): Practical guidance for the UK GDPR requirements, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Transfer Workflow Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/transfer-workflow.md): UK GDPR guidance for Transfer Workflow, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR Transfers, IDTA, and UK Addendum Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/transfers-idta-and-uk-addendum.md): UK GDPR guidance for transfers, IDTA, and UK Addendum, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR UK vs EU Differences Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/uk-vs-eu-differences.md): UK GDPR guidance for UK vs EU Differences, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR UK vs EU GDPR Differences Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/uk-vs-eu-gdpr-differences.md): UK GDPR guidance for UK vs EU GDPR Differences, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR vs Data Protection Act 2018 Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/uk-gdpr-vs-data-protection-act-2018.md): UK GDPR guidance for UK GDPR vs Data Protection Act 2018, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK GDPR vs EU GDPR Guide](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/uk-gdpr-vs-eu-gdpr.md): UK GDPR guidance for UK GDPR vs EU GDPR, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about 72-hour Breach Reporting under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/72-hour-breach-reporting.md): UK GDPR guidance for 72-hour Breach Reporting, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Adequacy under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/adequacy.md): UK GDPR guidance for Adequacy, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about AI And Automated Decisions under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/ai-and-automated-decisions.md): UK GDPR guidance for AI And Automated Decisions, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Article 30 Records under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/article-30-records.md): UK GDPR guidance for Article 30 Records, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Controller And Processor Status under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/controller-and-processor-status.md): UK GDPR guidance for Controller And Processor Status, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about DPIAs under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/dpias.md): UK GDPR guidance for DPIAs, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about DPOs under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/dpos.md): UK GDPR guidance for DPOs, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about IDTA addendum and transfer risk assessment under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/idta-addendum-and-transfer-risk-assessment.md): UK GDPR guidance for IDTA addendum and transfer risk assessment, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Lawful Bases under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/lawful-bases.md): UK GDPR guidance for Lawful Bases, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about PECR Cookies under the UK GDPR?](/artifacts/uk/general-data-protection-regulation/faq/pecr-cookies.md): UK GDPR guidance for PECR Cookies, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. *Recommended next step* *Placement: after the practical guidance* ## Turn UK GDPR Children's Code into assigned work This UK GDPR guide turns Children's Code into owners, evidence requests, review checkpoints, and reusable operating records for implementation execution. - [Open Assessment Autopilot for UK GDPR](/solutions/assessment.md): Turn Children's Code into scoped questions, evidence fields, and review tasks. - [Review UK GDPR source evidence](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Use Research Copilot to answer follow-up questions with cited source material. - [Talk through implementation](/contact.md): Review scope, evidence, owners, and the next compliance actions with Sorena. --- [Privacy Policy](https://www.sorena.io/privacy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.sorena.io/terms-of-use) | [DMCA](https://www.sorena.io/dmca) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) (c) 2026 Sorena AB (559573-7338). 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