New York, NY - May 17, 2001 - The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. is pleased to announce that the TeenVillage Network has made extensive changes to its Website in order to address children’s safety and privacy.

The TeenVillage network (TV) includes the following Websites: www.teenhollywood.com, www.teenmusic.com and www.teentelevision.com. Each of the referenced Websites features editorial content as well as activities concerning American television, music and movie celebrities with teen/tween appeal. For example, the Websites features articles on Joshua Jackson (“Dawson’s Creek”), Britney Spears, N’Sync, and Eminem.

In Spring 2001, after having reviewed the TeenVillage Network of Websites for compliance with CARU Guidelines and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), CARU discovered several concerns with the referenced sites, specifically lack of effective age-screening along with the absence of a comprehensive privacy policy, and the lack of effective age screening.

In response to CARU’s concerns, TeenVillage modified its privacy policy to responsibly address children. There is now a complete, universal privacy policy available on all of TeenVillage’s Websites. In addition, TeenVillage implemented a universal registration system that includes effective age screening so as to prevent children from re-registering upon being blocked due to their age.

CARU's inquiry was conducted under NAD/NARB/CARU Procedures for Voluntary Self-Regulation of National Advertising and resolved within 60 business days. Details of the inquiry, CARU's decision and the advertiser's response will be included in the next NAD Case Report. Members of the press who wish to see a copy of the decision now should e-mail CARU.