I'm 15. I use visa/MasterCard gift cards and I run many sites. You should be able to make a website at any age if you have the knowledge to/have legal things on the site.
It's a similar situation when a 3 year old coded an iPhone app and had it in the app store. Should there be a legal age for programming
(2010-06-26, 09:50 PM)technoman Wrote: [ -> ]It seems more and more today children are mastering the internet I agree, but to be quite honest, sites were designed mostly by adults for adults.
Very often adults like msyelf argue about whether to allow children to use sites or not. IF we Don't say anything or do anything then were allowing it to happen.
I think personally MyBB should consider a second Domain forum for kids to be ‘safe’, sorta like a special forum created entirely for children where children can communicate between themeselves together at MyBB. 
Getting back to wether it is legal to run a online forum or site of legal age laws, again its Illegal without Parental Supervision. However this ongoing issue and problem that most kids arent watched by there parents so then how are we going to protect our kids if the parents arent there protecting there children?
There is a number of team members here who are under 18. So that would not work.
Reason this is a issue is because of generation differences. It has always been like that. Difference back when i was a teen is we didn't have the net like we have today but the issue was still there. Talking about when the age spread gets larger. Why if you run a site with a varity of people you better have a good set of rules. In this instance i could see the need for having both ( younger and older staff ) so all have a better understanding of each other. Again depends on what it is.
Couple of examples.. Could be issues. Actually has been.. You get the point!
1. This one just happened at my forum. Poster replied to someone else beginning with Lol. Poster was younger. Most older people who i have known would either find that reply right from start as either very condescending, arrogant, or Cocky. Back where i am from it could get you knocked out. I am being dead serious. Yeah i grew up in a rougher area. Anyways.. Yeah it is a small thing but it is the sort of thing that could blow up quickly ( have seen it happen countless times ) even though that was not the intention of the poster who said it.
2. Post A who is older does not agree with poster B who is younger. Poster B gets offended at the thought of a adult correcting them. I need not say how young people have the mindset that they are never wrong about anything. YES it happens to all but they are especially prone to this. Part of growing up. They hate feeling like they are being preached to. This gets made worse by those who are younger who are online all the time and spend very little in the outside world interacting with other people. See example 1 and how this example combined with that could turn ugly in a hurry.
Not saying a younger person cant run a forum/site either. Far from it. I think it depends though on what it is. I do wish the laws were made more clear on this issue. As a webmaster who runs a site for all ages ( Weather ) i always find myself worrying over some content posted in the OT section mainly. And no it is not porn or anything like that. That is not allowed period.
(2010-06-26, 08:47 PM)technoman Wrote: [ -> ]But by giving anyone under 18 the rights and tools about building a successful online business. These kids just needed somewhere to show them to the light of sucess, we as adults have to hold ourselves accountable while allowing these kids to build and do these things. Then ask yourslef, why in the hell did we teach them and how and why are they under age to operate there own buisness under the age of 18 online?
Just go and look at some of the worlds most successful entrepreneurs, and see at what age they started working with businesses. You will find for the most part that they would have been early to middle teens, maybe even younger.
Young people with drive have been starting up businesses for years, some work, some don't. Why would you want to suddenly stop that?
(2010-06-26, 10:21 PM)MrD. Wrote: [ -> ]Why would you want to suddenly stop that?
I don't have any Intensions.
This is ONLY for different views and oppions.
Personally, I have concerns over the aspect of online security where minors are concerned.
Question is: --> Are children really as safe as we all think they are online? Can parents really trust there children when making sites?
Can webmasters assure its minors that the site they have created for children are indeed completely safe for children?
My personal opinion the answer is NO!
Does anyone even know the threats which are lying in wait for children on the Internet
(2010-06-26, 09:22 PM)technoman Wrote: [ -> ] (2010-06-26, 08:57 PM)Elegant Totality Wrote: [ -> ]What law?
When purchasing a Domain name registration and web hosting LEGALLY you do have to be 18 or older in North America. I just got off the phone with one and they said 18 BUT this might be different for other companies.
You're being so darn vague... =/ Who?
Do like me, which I have done in the last 2 hours and call around to the big companies and just ask them what age Legally do you have to be in order to purchase a domain name or hosting plan from that company ...
(2010-06-26, 09:50 PM)technoman Wrote: [ -> ]I think personally MyBB should consider a second Domain forum for kids to be ‘safe’, sorta like a special forum created entirely for children where children can communicate between themeselves together at MyBB.
*Chuckles* I think if we would ever do that (which we wont) we would rather make a special from created entirely for adults as they are the minorities on sites like MyBB.com.
(2010-06-26, 10:44 PM)technoman Wrote: [ -> ] (2010-06-26, 10:21 PM)MrD. Wrote: [ -> ]Why would you want to suddenly stop that?
I don't have any Intensions.
This is ONLY for different views and oppions.
Personally, I have concerns over the aspect of online security where minors are concerned.
Question is: --> Are children really as safe as we all think they are online? Can parents really trust there children when making sites?
Can webmasters assure its minors that the site they have created for children are indeed completely safe for children?
My personal opinion the answer is NO!
Does anyone even know the threats which are lying in wait for children on the Internet
The law shouldn't decide if a child should be allowed to create site. It's up to their parents, if they allow it, fine. It should be the parents responsibility not the governments.
Please do not make blanket statements. You DO NOT have to be of a minimum age to purchase a domain or web hosting services through most companies, unless their contracts state otherwise. Generally, providing you're over 13 and/or COPPA doesn't apply, there shouldn't be an issue.
We've got plenty of under 18 clients who are in some cases far better at paying their bills than adults (as far as timely payment goes), although we do occasionally get a 13/14 year old who generates all sorts of abuse complaints etc by not observing copyright laws and other such important regulations. Equally, we have had similar issues with grown adults, so age doesn't seem to be an issue in that regard.
I believe your distrust in the young is something that you should be ashamed of. If children can behave appropriately on the internet and understand the risks, plus understand the boundaries of what material should be deemed acceptable, then you should have no quarrel. There will always be a minority who cause problems and suffer misfortune and the media enjoy indulging in such affairs in an attempt to cause paranoia, but the vast majority appear to be sensible citizens.
I'd like to hear your views on the following:
1) What are your views on votes at 16?
2) Do you believe in civil partnerships/gay marriage?
3) Should people be allowed to carry weapons in a public place provided they have a license for such items?
4) Do you believe in the idea of a welfare state?
@Bob, you parents are only legally liable for you (By you i mean someone past 14) if its negligent behaviour that a reasonable person would've instructed their child not to do.
(2010-06-26, 10:54 PM)technoman Wrote: [ -> ]Do like me, which I have done in the last 2 hours and call around to the big companies and just ask them what age Legally do you have to be in order to purchase a domain name or hosting plan from that company ...
Prove that you've done any research whatsoever and post their names.