How We Use Cookies
Last Updated: 1 January 2025
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, tablet, or phone) when you visit. They help websites remember information about your visit, like your preferences and settings.
Think of cookies like bookmarks: They help the website remember where you were, what you were doing, and what settings you prefer, so your next visit is better and more personalized.
Cookies Are Safe
Cookies cannot:
- Access other files on your device
- Install viruses or malware
- Read your personal files or emails
- Harm your device in any way
They simply store small pieces of information that help websites work better for you.
2. Why BrainBuzz Uses Cookies
BrainBuzz uses cookies to:
- Save Your Progress: Remember your game scores and achievements so you can track improvement
- Remember Your Choices: Keep your cookie preferences and settings
- Improve the Website: Understand how people use BrainBuzz so we can make it better
- Provide Free Content: Support advertising that helps us offer all activities for free
- Keep You Safe: Maintain security and prevent misuse of the website
3. Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for BrainBuzz to function properly. You cannot disable them because the website wouldn't work without them.
| Purpose | What They Do | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Game Progress | Save your scores, settings, and progress in maths and spelling activities | Persistent (until you clear browser data) |
| Cookie Consent | Remember your cookie preferences so we don't ask repeatedly | 12 months |
| Security | Protect against spam and abuse, maintain secure connections | Session (deleted when browser closes) |
| Website Function | Enable basic features like navigation and activity selection | Session |
Analytics Cookies (Optional)
These cookies help us understand how people use BrainBuzz so we can make improvements. You can choose whether to allow these.
| Purpose | What They Do | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Usage Analytics | Track which activities are popular, how long people spend on pages, and where visitors come from | Up to 26 months |
| Performance Monitoring | Measure page loading times and identify technical issues | Up to 26 months |
| Device Information | Understand what devices and browsers people use to optimize compatibility | Up to 26 months |
What We Learn: Analytics tell us things like "50 people played times tables today" or "most visitors use tablets" - but we never know who specific individuals are.
Privacy: All analytics data is anonymized. We cannot identify individual users or pupils from this information.
Advertising Cookies (Optional)
These cookies help display relevant, child-appropriate advertisements. Advertising allows us to keep BrainBuzz completely free for everyone.
| Purpose | What They Do | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ad Display | Show appropriate advertisements based on general interests and website visits | Up to 24 months |
| Ad Frequency | Prevent showing the same advertisement too many times | Up to 24 months |
| Ad Performance | Measure whether advertisements are effective and appropriate | Up to 24 months |
Why Advertising Matters: Advertisements help us:
- Keep all BrainBuzz activities completely free
- Add new activities and features regularly
- Maintain and improve the website
- Provide educational content to everyone regardless of ability to pay
4. How to Manage Your Cookie Preferences
Through BrainBuzz
You have complete control over which cookies you allow on BrainBuzz:
- First Visit: Choose your preferences when you first see our cookie banner
- Change Anytime: Click the "Manage Cookie Preferences" button above at any time
- Individual Control: Turn analytics and advertising cookies on or off separately
- Essential Cookies: Always active because they're required for the website to work
- Saved Preferences: Your choices are remembered for 12 months
Through Your Web Browser
You can also manage or delete cookies through your browser settings:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
- Mobile Browsers: Check your browser's help section for cookie management
Clearing Cookies: You can delete all cookies through your browser, but remember:
- You'll lose your saved game progress on BrainBuzz
- You'll need to set your cookie preferences again
- Other websites will also lose your settings and preferences
5. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on BrainBuzz are set by trusted third-party services that help us operate the website:
Analytics Services
We use third-party analytics tools to understand website usage. These services:
- Collect anonymized data about how people use BrainBuzz
- Help us identify technical issues and improve performance
- Provide insights on which activities are most helpful
- Comply with data protection regulations including COPPA
Advertising Networks
We partner with advertising networks to display child-appropriate ads. These services:
- Show advertisements that fund free educational content
- Follow strict guidelines for advertising to children
- Screen ads to ensure appropriateness
- Have their own privacy policies explaining data use
Third-Party Privacy Policies
Our partners have their own privacy and cookie policies that explain how they handle data. We ensure all third-party services meet appropriate standards for child safety and data protection.
Reporting Issues: If you see an inappropriate advertisement, please contact us immediately at [email protected] so we can investigate and take action.
6. Cookies and Children's Privacy
BrainBuzz is designed for pupils aged 5 and above. We take extra care to protect children's privacy:
- COPPA Compliant: All cookies comply with Children's Online Privacy Protection Act requirements
- Minimal Data: We collect only essential information needed for website function
- No Personal Information: Cookies do not store names, addresses, or other identifying information
- Local Storage: Game progress stays on the device, not on our servers
- Parental Control: Parents can manage or delete cookies at any time
- Child-Safe Ads: Advertising cookies must follow strict child protection guidelines
- Educational Focus: All data use supports educational purposes only
7. How Long Do Cookies Last?
Different cookies stay on your device for different lengths of time:
Session Cookies
These temporary cookies are deleted when you close your browser. They help with basic functions like navigation and security during your visit.
Persistent Cookies
These cookies stay on your device for a set period or until you delete them:
- Game Progress: Stays until you clear browser data (so you can track improvement over time)
- Cookie Preferences: 12 months (so we remember your choices)
- Analytics: Up to 26 months (to understand long-term trends)
- Advertising: Up to 24 months (to show relevant ads)
You can delete cookies at any time through your browser settings or by clearing browser data.
8. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this cookie policy when:
- We add new features that use different types of cookies
- We change which third-party services we use
- Cookie laws or regulations change
- We find clearer ways to explain how cookies work
- User feedback suggests improvements
When we make significant changes:
- We'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
- We'll notify users through a prominent notice on the website
- You'll have the opportunity to review and update your cookie preferences
- For major changes, we may notify mailing list subscribers
9. Your Rights and Choices
You have the right to:
- Accept or Reject Cookies: Choose which cookies to allow when you first visit
- Change Preferences: Update your cookie choices at any time
- Delete Cookies: Remove cookies through browser settings
- Ask Questions: Contact us about our cookie practices
- Understand Cookie Use: Request information about cookies on BrainBuzz
- Object to Processing: Refuse optional cookies (analytics and advertising)
Impact of Refusing Cookies:
- Blocking essential cookies will prevent the website from functioning properly
- Refusing analytics cookies means we can't improve the website based on usage data
- Blocking advertising cookies may result in less relevant ads, but won't remove ads entirely
- Your game progress won't save if you block essential cookies
10. Contact Information
Questions About Cookies?
Email: [email protected]
Contact Form: brainbuzz.co.uk/contact
We're happy to help explain how cookies work and assist with any concerns about privacy or data use.
11. Summary
Key Points:
- Cookies are small files that help websites remember your preferences and settings
- BrainBuzz uses essential cookies (always on) and optional cookies (your choice)
- Essential cookies save game progress and ensure the website functions properly
- Analytics cookies help us improve BrainBuzz based on how people use it
- Advertising cookies support free access by showing child-appropriate ads
- You have complete control over optional cookies through our preference manager
- All cookies comply with COPPA and data protection regulations
- Parents can manage or delete cookies at any time
- We never collect personal information about pupils through cookies
For more information about how we protect your privacy, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.