It seems that 2016 will mean MORE child identity theft. Why? Because with the increased amount of data collection from children and young adults at schools, health care facilities, retailers, and by advertising companies, hackers can gain access to centralized data systems with a plethora of high-value information from children. However, perhaps 2016 is also the year in which more states will implement statutes to protect children’s information and identities. As of today, only California has a robust regulation to protect children’s privacy, the “Privacy Rights for California Minors in the Digital World Act,” and only 21 states have laws to protect student data. This year states may start to follow the lead of not only states’ laws, but also the federal children’s privacy protections (under the Children’s Privacy Protection Act or COPPA), and present measures such as parents’ and guardians’ ability to place security freezes on their children’s Social Security numbers, and the ability to take proactive measures with more choice before collection of children’s data. As the year progresses, we will follow the legislature to see if perhaps more states decide to take a stronger stance on children’s privacy.