5 ms·

You Can’t Actually Create A Google Account For Your Kid

• hammock 15y ago
  It's not really Google's TOS that's the issue here; it's called COPPA regulations which apply to everyone on the internet (in the US). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Online_Privacy_Protection_Act http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Online_Privacy_Pro...
  • bugsy 15y ago
    That law says that parental consent is needed to collect info from kids under 13. The article references a case where clearly the parent gives consent to have an account.
    • hammock 15y ago
      Website operators must use reasonable procedures to ensure they are dealing with the child's parent. These procedures may include: obtaining a signed form from the parent via postal mail or facsimile; accepting and verifying a credit card number; taking calls from parents on a toll-free telephone number staffed by trained personnel; email accompanied by digital signature; email accompanied by a PIN or password obtained through one of the verification methods above. I don't really see it feasible for Google to do any of those things just to set up a gmail account.
      • gte910h 15y ago
        I believe it is "You must sign in with your google checkout account, which must have an active and verified credit card, to make this account for your kid". I think a demo of this is a 2 week project tops to tie the verification to your account creation.
• leif 15y ago
  You probably can't create a google account for your cats either, but that didn't stop me from making each of mine one (only so they could sign up for facebook though ;-3). How is this newsworthy? (p.s. any facebook employees, please don't delete my cats' facebook accounts, they will be very sad and scratch you up big time if you do)