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

hammock · on May 10, 2011

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_Pro...

bugsy · on May 10, 2011

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 · on May 10, 2011

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 · on May 10, 2011

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 · on May 10, 2011

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)