Google Is Planning to Offer Accounts to Kids Under 13

[Victorious Secret]

 

As if kids under 13 haven't already been using these services for longer. But it seems nice that Google wants to do it in a proper manner and give controls over what the kids can access and what information gets collected. 

 

 

 

Accounts on Google services such as Gmail and YouTube are not officially offered to children, though there is little to stop them from logging on anonymously or posing as adults to sign up for accounts.

Now Google is trying to establish a new system that lets parents set up accounts for their kids, control how they use Google services and what information is collected about their offspring, according to a person familiar with the effort.

Earlier this year, Google was developing a child version of its online video site YouTube suited to tablet computers that would let parents control content, another person familiar with the company’s plans said.

Google and most other Internet companies tread carefully because of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA. The law imposes strict limits on how information about children under 13 is collected; it requires parents’ consent and tightly controls how that data can be used for advertising. (Companies are not liable if customers lie to them about user ages).

 

 

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/08/18/google-moves-to-target-kids-under-13/

[AlwaysFSX]

Too bad most under 13's don't really care about trying to stay at least moderately safe on the internet. I can at least agree with controlling what they can search for. Though you could just use Bing...soooo....not exactly useful.

[Arty]

Good For Google,

[ShadowCaptain]

This can only end badly, unless there is some sort of Adult intervention or monitoring

 

Perhaps emailing the parent weekly  letting them know what their child has been doing so they can monitor it without the child feeling restricted

[Sauron]

It doesn't realy matter, if the "under 13" account has any form of limitation kids under 13 will just tell the wrong age as they have up to now...

[Evostatic343]

cause nobody lies on the internet.............[] :mellow:

[Excon]

The nicest part about turning 18 is not having to enter fake birthdays for shit

[APrettyCoolWalrus]

Thanks Google, but I'm already a pubescent 57 year old according to my age on Google. 

[LAwLz]

Oh nice. Maybe I should make a new Google account and set my age under 13 then. That would stop them from collecting and misusing my personal information.

At least if you can remove all restrictions from it...

[Fulgrim]

[Nottheguyyouknow]

This can only end badly, unless there is some sort of Adult intervention or monitoring

 

Perhaps emailing the parent weekly  letting them know what their child has been doing so they can monitor it without the child feeling restricted

Why are we not funding that? Great idea though.

[ShadowCaptain]

Why are we not funding that? Great idea though.

 

I am full of great ideas, and yet no talents to do anything about it

[Techhog]

Starting on that forced control of all internet access young.

[The_Strict_Nein]

Dude, I've been over 18 for at least 19 years now

[StingBull]

This can only end badly, unless there is some sort of Adult intervention or monitoring

Perhaps emailing the parent weekly letting them know what their child has been doing so they can monitor it without the child feeling restricted

Right, but on the other hand do you really want to learn what kind of fucked up hentai your kids are into? That is bound to make the dinner awkward that night.

[ShadowCaptain]

Right, but on the other hand do you really want to learn what kind of fucked up hentai your kids are into? That is bound to make the dinner awkward that night.

 

Yes....

 

I meant no

[Builder]

MOAR DATAS FOR TEH GOOGLE HOARD!

[TAK]

.

[Builder]

Get them hooked early, that way they don't know they're being monitored and monetized.

That's what I read it as.

 

Now they can show psychologically damaging ads to kids too...great. Perhaps we'll see a whole generation growing up brainwashed by Google advertising and unable to think critically.

[LAwLz]

Right, but on the other hand do you really want to learn what kind of fucked up hentai your kids are into? That is bound to make the dinner awkward that night.

Thousands of families would never be able to eat octopus ever again...

[Beskamir]

Does anyone actually put their real age when signing up for online services? I just ensure I'm over 18

[StingBull]

Does anyone actually put their real age when signing up for online services? I just ensure I'm over 18

93% of Steam users are born on January 1st. What a coincidence.

[TAK]

.

[threadysparrow]

Tell me when these accounts come online...

[SpaghettiCarbonara]

On the Internet, no one knows you're actually a 5 year old cat-shaped bowl of spaghetti, especially when you set your birthdate as close to 1/1/1900 as possible.