why do you have to be 13 to register on forums?

Ace Modder · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:48

Is it some kind of Law ?

wildman · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:49

is this a trick question ?

Cleeecooo · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:49

I think it's to prevent spammers

BEsides, Joker's 8

ng93 · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:50

So we don't get spammed by 10 year old trolls?

Saundie · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:50

wildman said:
is this a trick question ?

I agree, it feels like a trap.

SuperTronNarwhal · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:50

Why must you be 13, this place is hardly Family Friendly seeing as people post images of boobs jiggling about!

nydryl · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:51

Question makes no sense

Assuming why and not what, I assume some legal issue regarding online purchases from the store, or just to stop kiddies coming and spamming?

GravyMonster · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:51

I'm 12 and what is this?

Cosimo · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:51

Under age posting is verboten.

rjk · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:51

GravyMonster · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:52

zzzJonny · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:52

It's generally something built into most major forum software, because of this:
http://www.coppa.org/comply.htm

scrlk · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:53

Ace Modder said:
Is it some kind of Law ?

Yep.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

Wikipedia said:
The act, effective April 21, 2000, applies to the online collection of personal information by persons or entities under U.S. jurisdiction from children under 13 years of age. It details what a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent or guardian, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children's privacy and safety online including restrictions on the marketing to those under 13. While children under 13 can legally give out personal information with their parents' permission, many websites altogether disallow underage children from using their services due to the amount of paperwork involved.

j0s · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:54

As this is a US based software isn't it illegal for companies to store information on people younger than 13 without their guardian's permission?

Same as you cannot get a facebook account under 13

PhillyDee · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:54

US Federal law, doesthat apply to a server hosted anywhere other than the US?

Vonhelmet · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:56

j0s said:
As this is a US based software isn't it illegal for companies to store information on people younger than 13 without their guardian's permission?

Same as you cannot get a facebook account under 13

The software is being used on a server outside the US, by a non-US business, so the law doesn't apply.

KNiVES · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:56

PhillyDee said:
US Federal law, doesthat apply to a server hosted anywhere other than the US?

I don't think it does, the software just has it built in to make things a lot easier.

Energizer Bunny · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:56

I only registered here to try to groom some 8 year olds. Wasting of ****ing time that was.

Glaucus · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:57

Vonhelmet said:
The software is being used on a server outside the US, by a non-US business, so the law doesn't apply.

The software is American and as such written into the code.

Is there a similar uk law or guideline?
No point disabling it, it makes sense to get parents permission.

Vonhelmet · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:57

Glaucus said:
The software is American and as such written into the code.

Indeed.

There may even be a switch somewhere in the installation or a config file or something to allow you to turn off under 13 registration.