Notice to Parents

The Hershey Company provides a variety of online content through its websites, including details about products, promotions, sweepstakes, contests, entertainment, company information, job application opportunities, and online shopping features. Given the nature of these offerings, most of the company’s websites are designed primarily for adult consumers. Hershey has made a deliberate and consistent effort to direct its marketing messages for products mainly to adults and, in cases where a particular brand is appropriate for an older teenage audience, to teens as well. The company does not advertise its products in other types of media with the specific goal of attracting children under the age of thirteen to its websites. Beyond simply stating this intent, Hershey has put into place reasonable technical and procedural methods to restrict the ability of children under thirteen to access certain features on specific websites. These measures are consistent with the company’s broader commitment to ensure that its primary online messaging reaches adults and teens rather than younger children.

Different jurisdictions around the world define the term child differently when it comes to privacy laws and other regulations. Each country or state may set its own age threshold based on local legal standards, cultural expectations, and policy goals. For example, some places may consider a child to be anyone under sixteen, while others may use thirteen or even younger as the dividing line. Hershey takes these varying definitions seriously and tailors its approach to comply with applicable local laws wherever its websites are accessible. On those websites where the company may collect information from individuals who are considered children under local law, and consistent with its own marketing policies and privacy commitments, Hershey incorporates special notices designed to urge young visitors to obtain parental permission before providing any personal information or attempting to order products. These notices are written in clear, age-appropriate language so that a child can understand the importance of involving a parent or guardian.

In addition to displaying these notices, Hershey may ask visitors to confirm their age when accessing certain parts of its websites. This age confirmation step serves as a gatekeeping mechanism to restrict individuals who are underage from entering specific areas or using particular features that are not intended for younger audiences. For example, a section of the website that allows users to create an account, enter a sweepstakes, or submit user-generated content may require the visitor to verify that they are old enough to participate. If a visitor indicates that they are below the required age, access to that feature is denied. To prevent a user from simply changing their stated age and attempting to re-enter, the company may use cookies or other similar technologies. These tools remember the age information provided during the initial visit, making it more difficult for someone to bypass the restriction by refreshing the page or returning later with a different answer. This technical measure helps maintain the integrity of the age-gating process without requiring the user to repeatedly provide the same information.

The company’s approach to children’s privacy is also closely linked to its broader privacy policy, which contains detailed information about how Hershey collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal data across all of its websites. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to review the full privacy policy to understand the company’s data handling practices in greater depth. That policy explains what types of information may be collected from visitors of different ages, how that information may be used, under what circumstances it may be shared with third parties, and what rights parents have regarding their children’s data. The privacy policy also describes the security measures Hershey has implemented to protect personal information and how parents can request access to, correction of, or deletion of data that may have been collected from their child. By reading the privacy policy together with this notice to parents, families can gain a complete picture of how Hershey approaches the important issue of children’s online safety.

Hershey recognizes that parents play a crucial role in guiding their children’s online activities. No privacy policy or age-gating technology can fully replace active parental involvement. The company therefore encourages parents to talk with their children about safe and responsible internet use, including the importance of never sharing personal information online without permission. Parents should also be aware that while Hershey takes reasonable steps to restrict access by young children to certain features, no system is completely foolproof. A determined child might find ways to provide a false age or otherwise circumvent technical barriers. For this reason, Hershey recommends that parents supervise their children’s online activities generally, not only when visiting the company’s websites.

The company also periodically reviews its practices regarding children’s privacy to ensure they remain effective and up to date with changing laws, technologies, and societal expectations. As new privacy regulations are adopted in different jurisdictions, Hershey adapts its websites and procedures accordingly. Similarly, as new features or interactive elements are added to the websites, the company assesses whether those features pose any new risks to children and implements appropriate safeguards before making them available to the public. This ongoing process of evaluation and improvement reflects the company’s understanding that protecting children online is not a one-time task but a continuous responsibility.

It is also worth noting that Hershey’s marketing and advertising strategies more broadly are designed with age appropriateness in mind. The company does not intentionally target children under thirteen with advertising for its products, whether online or through other media such as television, print, or social platforms. When brand-appropriate marketing is directed at teens, the content and messaging are developed with that older age group in mind, recognizing their developing capacity to understand advertising and make independent choices. For products that might appeal to a wider range of ages, the company takes care to ensure that any online presence remains suitable for the intended primary audience, which is adults and teens, not young children.

If parents have any specific concerns or questions about how Hershey handles children’s information on its websites, they are encouraged to reach out directly. The company welcomes the opportunity to provide clarification, address particular issues, or assist with any requests related to a child’s personal data. Parental feedback also helps Hershey identify areas where its practices could be improved or where additional notices might be helpful. Ultimately, the goal is to create an online environment that respects the privacy and safety of all users, including the youngest members of the family, while still offering engaging content and useful services for adults and teens. By combining reasonable technical restrictions, clear age-related notices, transparent privacy policies, and a commitment to parental involvement, Hershey strives to meet its responsibilities under applicable laws and its own ethical standards.