The American Heart Association’s Privacy Policy describes how the American Heart Association collects and uses personal information, and can be found at AmericanHeart.org. This Privacy Statement provides additional information on the American Heart Association’s practices in collecting and using personal information that the American Heart Association (“AHA”) collects from children under 13 years of age. It also applies to information submitted by kids through our Web Site and information submitted by you about yourself and your kids for participation on our Web Site.

Who operates this Web Site?

The AHA is an IRS §503(c) non-profit corporation and the nation’s largest voluntary health agency fighting heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. The AHA operates the bethebeat.heart.org as the Web Site for the Be the Beat campaign of the AHA (the “Web Site”). The AHA believes that young people can play a significant role in saving lives. With Be the Beat, we hope to create the next generation of lifesavers by teaching young people the simple steps to save a life in a cardiac emergency and ways to prevent those emergencies in the first place. Bethebeat.heart.org will offer free games, music, videos and giveaways—to educate kids while they have fun! Teachers can access no-cost training tools to help start and sustain CPR programs in their classrooms, and administrators will find links to grant opportunities that support school emergency-response planning.

What information does the AHA collect and use?

We do not ask for any personally identifiable information beyond what is reasonably necessary for your child to participate in the activities offered on the Web Site. Specifically, the AHA collects the first and last name of each child using this Web Site, his or her age, e-mail address, school, ZIP Code, user name and password, and other information to help track the child’s progress in learning about lifesaving in a cardiac emergency. Children may also set up and maintain profiles, and register to receive e-mail newsletters and updates. Children can surf portions of our Web Site and view limited content without any personally identifiable information being collected. We do not collect personally identifiable information from children unless they register. In order to register for our Web Site and participate in most of the available activities, however, children must complete the registration form. 

How does the AHA collect this information?

During registration, children are asked to provide their contact information, including their first name and last name, age, e-mail address, school and ZIP Code. The AHA does not use cookies, GIFs, Web beacons or similar technology to collect personal information, but may use such automated devices to track general traffic and internet activity on an anonymous basis. 

Children may sign up for a variety of Web Site e-mail updates. These updates will allow children to receive an e-mail news update about new features, promotions and activities on the Web Site. Signing up for the e-mail updates is voluntary, and you or your child can stop receiving the updates at any time. Every e-mail we send includes information on unsubscribing from our mailing list. If you or your child no longer wish to receive an e-mail message, just use this feature to unsubscribe.

How will the AHA use this information?

The AHA uses the personal information provided by the children for record keeping, internal marketing and to track their progress in AHA activities. The AHA may use the e-mail addresses to e-mail children about their participation in AHA programs and activities and about educational materials on cardiac emergencies.

Does the AHA share this information with any third parties?

The AHA will not share personal information received from children with any third parties.

How does the AHA get consent from parents for the collection of personal information?

Each child has been asked to provide the AHA with their parent’s or guardian’s e-mail address, to be used to obtain consent for the collection of certain personal information regarding that child. The AHA sends the parent an e-mail that informs them of the AHA’s mission in educating children about cardiac arrest emergencies, and specifically requests their consent to the collection of personal information about the child in their care. A parent’s return of an e-mail to the AHA where you agree to consent to the child’s providing personal information to the AHA in order to participate in AHA Web Site activities means that you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of the personal information as described in this notice, and have notice of the content of this Children’s Privacy Statement. If you have not provided such an e-mail, or if you did not intend to provide such consent, please contact the AHA, as shown below.

Can a parent review, change or delete the information collected by the AHA about his or her child?

A parent can contact the AHA at any time and review the information the AHA has collected. A parent can also refuse to permit the AHA to collect any further personal information and can request that the AHA delete any information already collected. To contact the AHA, a parent can either write the AHA at the following address:

American Heart Association, Inc.

Mailing Address:
Attn: Be the Beat
American Heart Association
National Center
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231

Or, a parent may e-mail the AHA at: bethebeat@heart.org

or call the AHA’s toll-free number:

1-800-AHA-USA-1
or 1-800-242-8721