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>defaulted to putting in the current date while also not making crystal clear to users why it needed that information and what could result It's been years sin

>defaulted to putting in the current date while also not making crystal clear to users why it needed that information and what could result It's been years since I've worked with COPPA, but isn't it illegal both to 1. default to e.g. 1970-01-01 so that accepting implies you're of age, and 2. for your prompt to be "You must be 13+ to use this service. If you are under 13 your videos will be deleted. What is your birthday?" because you're basically encouraging kids to lie?

dimal 8y ago
It's been a while since I dealt with COPPA, but I'm almost positive you're correct.
- darkpuma 8y ago
  The FTC's FAQ page on COPPA compliance concurs: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-coppa-frequently-asked-questions https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/com... >If you choose to block children under 13 on your general audience site or service, you should take care to design your age screen in a manner that does not encourage children to falsify their ages to gain access to your site or service. Ask age information in a neutral manner at the point at which you invite visitors to provide personal information or to create a user ID. > In designing a neutral age-screening mechanism, you should consider: [...] Avoiding encouraging children to falsify their age information, for example, by stating that visitors under 13 cannot participate or should ask their parents before participating. In addition, simply including a check box stating, “I am over 12 years old” would not be considered a neutral age-screening mechanism.
mediumdeviation 8y ago
Just leave it blank and force the user to explicitly enter something? I don't see how defaulting to the current date is ever useful for date of birth from a user interface design perspective.
- londons_explore 8y ago
  Defaulting to the current date is just lazy coding - lots of date UI controls do that by default.
  - raverbashing 8y ago
    Yes Also whenever you ask for a birthdate don't use a datepicker (or use one that allows selection of the year) It's not fun dragging or scrolling the picker month by month until you get to your birthdate
    - mcguire 8y ago
      Those of us with birthdates back in the '60s salute you.

dimal 8y ago

It's been a while since I dealt with COPPA, but I'm almost positive you're correct.

darkpuma 8y ago
The FTC's FAQ page on COPPA compliance concurs: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-coppa-frequently-asked-questions https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/com... >If you choose to block children under 13 on your general audience site or service, you should take care to design your age screen in a manner that does not encourage children to falsify their ages to gain access to your site or service. Ask age information in a neutral manner at the point at which you invite visitors to provide personal information or to create a user ID. > In designing a neutral age-screening mechanism, you should consider: [...] Avoiding encouraging children to falsify their age information, for example, by stating that visitors under 13 cannot participate or should ask their parents before participating. In addition, simply including a check box stating, “I am over 12 years old” would not be considered a neutral age-screening mechanism.

mediumdeviation 8y ago

Just leave it blank and force the user to explicitly enter something? I don't see how defaulting to the current date is ever useful for date of birth from a user interface design perspective.

londons_explore 8y ago
Defaulting to the current date is just lazy coding - lots of date UI controls do that by default.
- raverbashing 8y ago
  Yes Also whenever you ask for a birthdate don't use a datepicker (or use one that allows selection of the year) It's not fun dragging or scrolling the picker month by month until you get to your birthdate
  - mcguire 8y ago
    Those of us with birthdates back in the '60s salute you.