Online Privacy: Cookies and Tracking

When you’re surfing the web, you’re not always alone! Websites can keep track of where you’ve been and what you’ve done. But don’t worry — learning how this works is the first step to staying safe and in control.

What are Cookies?

A cookie is a tiny piece of information that a website stores on your computer. It’s like a digital “memory” for the website.

Imagine you visit an amusement park, and the attendant stamps your hand when you arrive. That stamp lets you leave and come back later without buying a new ticket. A cookie works the same way: it tells the website, “This person has been here before!”

For example, a cookie can remember that you’ve already logged in so you don’t have to type your password again on every page. It can also remember what language you prefer or what you have in your shopping cart.

How Do Cookies Work?

When you visit a website, your web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) asks the website’s server for the page. The server sends back the page and a little note that says, “Please save this cookie for next time.” Your browser writes that note down on your computer.

The next time you visit the same website, your browser shows the cookie to the server, like flashing your hand stamp at the amusement park. The server reads the cookie and says, “Oh, I remember you!” Then it might show you your own dashboard or keep your items in the cart.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

Not all cookies come from the website you are looking at.

• First-party cookies are set by the website you are actually visiting. They are usually helpful, like remembering your login or your preferences.
• Third-party cookies are set by a different website — usually an advertising company — that has a small piece of code hidden on the page you are visiting. They are often used to track your behavior across many different websites.

Think of a first-party cookie like a stamp from the amusement park you are in. A third-party cookie is like a person from a different store who sneaks into the park and puts a sticker on your hand so they can follow you around the mall later!

Tracking Your Journey

Some cookies are used for tracking. They can follow you from one website to another and see what you’re interested in.

Let’s say you visit a website about space rockets. A tracking cookie notices your interest. Later, when you visit a different site to read comics, that same tracking cookie tells an advertising company, “This person likes space rockets!” Suddenly, you see an ad for a model rocket kit in the corner of the comics page.

This is why you might see ads for toys, shoes, or games that you were looking at on a different website yesterday!

What is a Privacy Policy?

Every website should have a Privacy Policy. This is a special page that explains what information the website collects about you and how they use it.

You can usually find a link to the Privacy Policy at the very bottom of a website. It might tell you if the site uses cookies, if it shares your information with other companies, and what choices you have. Reading the Privacy Policy is a smart habit, especially before you sign up for a new game or create an account.

Protecting Your Privacy

You are not helpless against cookies and tracking! Here are some ways to take charge of your privacy:

• Browser Settings: You can control cookies in your web browser’s settings. You can choose to block all third-party cookies, or you can “clear” your cookies so websites forget who you are.
• Private or Incognito Mode: Using a “Private” or “Incognito” window in your browser is another way to stop websites from saving cookies while you’re browsing. Just remember, this only hides cookies from your computer — the websites you visit can still see what you do while you are there.
• Ask an Adult: If you are not sure about a website’s settings or if a pop-up asks you to accept cookies, it is always a good idea to ask a parent or teacher for help.

Did you know?

• Cookie Crumbs: The word “cookie” was chosen by a programmer named Lou Montulli in 1994. He got the idea from “magic cookies” used in older computer systems. He thought it was a fun, friendly name for a small piece of data!
• Third-Party Troubles: Most web browsers today are starting to block third-party cookies by default because they can be sneaky. In 2024, Google began phasing them out in Chrome to give users more privacy.
• The Cookie Law: In many parts of the world, websites must ask your permission before they can place certain cookies on your computer. That is why you often see a little banner that says “This website uses cookies” when you first visit a page.

Check Your Knowledge

1. In your own words, what is a cookie and why do websites use them?
2. What is the difference between a first-party cookie and a third-party cookie?
3. Imagine you were looking at a website about dogs yesterday, and today you see an ad for dog food on a completely different website. How did that happen?
4. Name two ways you can protect your privacy from cookies and tracking while browsing the internet.
5. Why is it a good idea to read a website’s “Privacy Policy” before you sign up for a game or create an account?