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Legal problems for a social network for kids

by fekfek
8 replies
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I'm thinking of developing a social network like site for only kids. There will be features like parent control, private profile and manuel controlling but I want to know more about the legal problems i might run into as I have no knowledge on related matters.

A few questions:
Is it legal to let kids publish their pictures, videos etc.?
What kind of precautions should I take?
Should I require parent's approval to register, how and why?

Thanks in advance
  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    I'm sure your intentions are good, but all you'd be doing is building a one stop shop for pedophiles.

    My advice would be to not do it at all.
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    • Profile picture of the author craighakwins
      Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      I'm sure your intentions are good, but all you'd be doing is building a one stop shop for pedophiles.

      My advice would be to not do it at all.
      I agree. And there is almost nothing for kids to do to confirm their identity. It's going to be a bloodbath. Unless you find something to avoid these pedophiles from getting into the network then that's your only hope.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Whateverpedia is right. If you collect info from the US, for kids that may be under 13, the first thing you should do is make sure you are C.O.P.P.A. compliant!

    Children's Online Privacy Protection Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Kids CAN post pictures, but if they have the extraneous metadata, you could get into problems. ALSO, if the pictures appeal to a prurient interest, it can be considered child porn and be ILLEGAL. Of course the same goes for text data.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Steve - We don't know what country the OP is in so don't know what laws apply.

      I wouldn't touch this idea - too many potential liabilities without much chance of profit.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    I SAID whateverpedia was right. Remote system rules ARE nebulous. AOL, for example, was sued because they were TOO careful and because they weren't careful ENOUGH!!!!!!!!

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Mikaedi
    I agree with all what has been said..

    Problems I could see immediatly that would open the floodgates to pedophlles:

    What verification process would you use for the user to prove they were kids?

    For Parental permission! how would you be able to get the Parents.caregivers to prove they are indeed parents? the Parent/parents as well as child could in acdtual fact be pedophiles mascarading as Parents and kids.

    This just would not work, though I understand the OPs intentions are well meaning.

    Just my immediate thoughts, and there could be other concerns including legal
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      FB has all the controls in the world but it doesn't stop kid fiddlers being rampant on it.

      I wouldn't touch this at all, I don't think I'd ask for advice here either.

      I think the first thing I'd be doing was chatting to a good lawyer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    I agree with everyone else, it's going to attract the wrong people and would advise you against it. However, should you want to persist in this idea, you need to talk to an attorney and get competent legal advice. Asking people on a forum is no substitute for that. If things go wrong, you're likely risking huge fines and prison time. An attorney can help you minimize the risk, or advise you against it and tell you why.
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