In a world where data breaches make headlines faster than holiday shopping deals, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds of GDPR audits, CCPA updates, and endless privacy policy revisions. But here’s a radical idea: What if the key to bulletproof compliance isn’t just more lawyers and algorithms, but teaching kids to say “Privacy, please!” before they can even spell it? Enter Lorrie Cranor’s new children’s book, Privacy, Please!, a delightful yet profoundly timely gem from Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab that could redefine how we approach privacy education—and, by extension, corporate compliance strategies.
As a compliance warrior who’s spent years battling the dragons of data misuse, I was hooked from the first page (well, metaphorically—I’ve got the digital preview). Cranor, CyLab’s director and a privacy powerhouse whose work has shaped everything from password guidelines to usable privacy tools, isn’t just writing for tots; she’s laying the groundwork for a generation that views privacy not as a checkbox, but as a fundamental right. Published just last week, the book targets 4- to 6-year-olds with whimsical tales of pets, hiding spots, and whispered secrets, all underscoring that privacy is about boundaries—tangible ones like bedroom doors, and intangible ones like choosing what to share with a friend.
Drawing from her Privacy Illustrated project—where kids as young as five sketched privacy as cozy nooks shielded from nosy siblings—Cranor flips the script on how we talk about this stuff. Forget the dry legalese of consent forms; here, privacy is “something comforting,” a space for thoughts and feelings that kids can claim with confidence. The book even includes companion resources—like door-hanger crafts for signaling “alone time”—that parents and educators can use to spark real conversations. As Cranor puts it, “Kids are already learning about privacy, whether we teach them or not. We can help them understand that their boundaries matter and give them the vocabulary to talk about their privacy needs.” Spot on, Lorrie. In my line of work, I’ve seen too many adults fumbling for those words during data subject requests or breach notifications. Imagine if we’d all started with a picture book.
This isn’t just cute kid lit—it’s a wake-up call for compliance officers like me. In an era where Big Tech’s data appetites clash with regs like the EU’s AI Act or California’s evolving privacy sandbox, early education is our secret weapon. Why? Because compliant organizations aren’t built in boardrooms; they’re forged in playgrounds. Cranor’s approach aligns perfectly with principles in frameworks like NIST’s Privacy Framework, which stresses “empowering individuals” through awareness. If we’re serious about “privacy by design,” why not start with privacy by crayon? Businesses should take notes: Sponsor library readings, integrate these lessons into family-oriented CSR programs, or even adapt them for employee training on data minimization. After all, the next wave of your users—and regulators—will be these pint-sized boundary-setters.
Don’t get me started on the tech angle. As kids graduate from hide-and-seek to smartphones, that early “no peeking” instinct becomes a shield against trackers, deepfakes, and algorithmic profiling. Endorsements from heavy hitters like illustrator Chris Haughton (“a thoughtful introduction to the concept of privacy”) and Consumer Reports’ Stacey Higginbotham (“Every child deserves to know that it’s okay to want privacy”) underscore the stakes. We’re not just protecting data; we’re nurturing autonomy in a surveillance society. For compliance pros, this means auditing not only your systems but your ecosystem—partnering with schools, pushing for kid-friendly privacy defaults in apps, and advocating for laws that mandate age-appropriate disclosures.
So, what’s the play? Grab a copy for the holidays (it’s out now via major retailers) and dive into the free resources at privacypleasebook.com. Families: Turn storytime into strategy sessions on body autonomy and digital dos-and-don’ts. Businesses: Weave this into your next privacy workshop—trust me, it’ll humanize those DPIAs like nothing else. And regulators? Fund more Cranors; the ROI in societal trust is incalculable.
In the end, Privacy, Please! reminds us that compliance isn’t a burden—it’s a bridge to a world where privacy is as natural as nap time. As a Captain Compliance team member, I’m all in. Who’s with me? Let’s teach the next gen to guard their gates early, so we can all sleep better at night.
