Should virtual pet sites go by COPPA?

[Russell]

I heard some websites go by the terms of COPPA so i was wondering, do you think that is a good idea or not so good of an idea?

[cpvr]

Well if a virtual pet site plans to become big then they must go by the terms of COPPA.

[Russell]

Yes because to parents it looks more safe for their children which = trust for your VPS.

[shadowpwner]

if you don't know legalese, or don't want to hire a lawyer to write a coppa for you, heres an online generator:
http://www.the-dma.org/privacy/childrensppg.shtml

regards,
edward

[Viral]

My site isn't going to go by COPPA.

I don't want kids under 13 wandering into my site. It's going to clearly state in registration that users MUST be 13 or older to use this site, or otherwise have permission from their parents to play. If no permission, no site. My site isn't some little kids site -- I allow (reasonable) swearing, romance roleplaying, etc. I don't want my site being like Neopets where saying "hell" gets you banned.

[Patrick]

Its kinda illegal not to if you are allowing kids under 13 to join.

[OwlManAtt]

Its kinda illegal not to if you are allowing kids under 13 to join.Only if you are operating a commercial website.

[Fly]

I would say yes. I know I would not want my grandchildren playing on a site that was not child safe.

[Vivacity]

All community sites should go by COPPA regardless of whether they're commercial or not, just to be safe, and for the safety of it's users, it's a win-win situation.

[Patrick]

Only if you are operating a commercial website.
Well, I think that counts most pet sites then ;)

[Sar]

Unfortunately in a system where ages cannot be proven, COPPA will likely be recommended. Granted you could put in a credit card number or PayPal account to register for a site, but you would not grab a lot of people.

Plus I'm also concerned regarding the limits on a non-COPPA pet site, mainly regarding R content and of the like.

[FuRom]

Only if you are operating a commercial website.

Yeah........................

The Act applies to websites and online services operated for commercial purposes that are either directed to children under 13 or have actual knowledge that children under 13 are providing information online. Most recognized non-profit organizations are exempt from most of the requirements of COPPA.[3] However, the Supreme Court ruled that non-profits operated for the benefit of their members' commercial activities are subject to FTC regulation and consequently also COPPA. The type of "verifiable parental consent" that is required before collecting and using information provided by children under 13 is based upon a "sliding scale" set forth in a Federal Trade Commission regulation[4] that takes into account the manner in which the information is being collected and the uses to which the information will be put.

Straight from wiki also here is a legal text of the act:
http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm

It's a real law. It applies to commercial purposes.
The carriage of persons or property for any fare, fee, rate, charge or other consideration, or directly or indirectly in connection with any business, or other undertaking intended for profit. USC 18

Anyone that makes money off their website in any way is to be subject to COPPA. It's pretty simple. The way I understand it, you just need a privacy policy, but personally, even though I'd be in compliance with coppa, I wouldn't want little kids ruining my site's content with spam nor would I want a kid that didn't understand how to play or how to learn how to play, so no one on my sites will be allowed to be under the age of 13.

[mr.marapets]

i dont about it,because i live outside of the USA

[Kaylynn]

that website gave me a headache o.O