The online travel business appears unsure how to deal with young users. The feds are watching. The Federal Trade Commission last year released a set of rules in conjunction with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which went into effect last month. To alleviate privacy concerns, the best arrangement is for parents to visit travel sites first. If a site looks useful, set up an account, then give the kids access to the login information.
Many sites ask just for a name and e-mail address.
Wired youngsters are developing decidedly grown-up tastes when it comes to travel sites. Expedia was easy to use, and it gave us a lot of very detailed information. Her father, Arthur Meriano, was thrilled that she could coordinate the journey from the computer. A Year in the Florida Keys . All e-mailed questions may be edited, condensed or republished at the site's discretion.