I was just curious about how members, escpecially those with children, felt about the appropriate age to go onto chess.com.  For the most part I noticed that chess.com prefers people under 13 to use their parents email address (of course most anyone would know how to work around that) and this got me wondering about age issues.  I had at one time thought about having my middle school chess club (ages 12 to 14) play on this site but wasn't sure how well recieved this would be by parents.  I now wonder if I should reserve it for the older players only perhaps?  I would love to have some input!

Thanks,

Viper_Piper

I believe it's federal law that the person registering for an account on an internet site be 13 or have parental consent.

 

I also know that we have a good number of younger people using the site and playing chess as well, so I think there isn't much of an unofficial age limit to chess.com.

 

It comes down to whether the parents of the younger kids feel that chess.com is safe for them to be using with/without supervision and what ideas you can come up with to  utilize the resources available here.

I think there's some fear legislation in the US which prevents anyone under the age of 13 for registering (legally) to a site if they could use it to have contact with adults. 

While this is primarily an issue which is best resolved by minors lying about their age and then companies being kept safe from lawsuits in good faith - it could potentially be an issue for someone who is requesting minors to register for a site, particularly in bulk.

I would say, especially given the mob mentality in the US (it's a pretty scary place), it would not be prudent to try to set something like that up - even if it doesn't break any specific rules of the website.

I don't see anything wrong with it.  I have yet to see a vulgar post of any sort on chess.com -- only slight disagreements.  I think most parents would agree that chess.com is much more educational than myspace, facebook, youtube, etc.  If you are worried about the parents I would send home a permission slip. 

I guess there are mixed opinions in administration as well.  I had one assitant principal feel this was a brilliant idea and to let parents decide if their child participates and then the other assistant principal argue that I'm opening a "can of worms" and may want to avoid the issue all together.  Ultimately I would like to improve the play of the club ... we have looked at hiring an instructor but that was pricey ($150/hr!) so we are back to "square one" (or square A1) so to speak.

maybe you could suggest the students use chess.com as a resource outside of your chess club.  Then the control is in their parents hands whether or not they want their children accessing this completely educational site. 

6 months ago the only thing I knew about chess were how the pieces moved; being able to watch highly-rated players compete really helps you understand how the game is supposed to be played.

My four year old plays on the site and I have set up an account for him.  But I'm always with him when he's online - it's the only way to guarantee safety.

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what if we accidently put the wrong age on our profile

As an IT and web develper professional, anything to do with kids is high risk.  Thirteen is the standard for allowing a person to register as a member of any website, regardless of content.  Not all sites follow this, but it's not very smart.  TOS (Terms of Service) afford some protection to site owners.  It's easy to lie, but if site owners are diligent and consistently act in good faith, then not too much problem if lawyered up correctly in the fine print.  Obviously, sites that have more adult content, are more likelihood of personal contact among members need additional controls.

If kids under thirteen can register on a website without their parent's knowledge, then you have parenting issues; lack of supervision, lack of proper at home control and montitoring of computer usage.....

It is the lititgious mentality in the US, and lack of family and parental responsibility that is out of contol.  The content of the internet is not the problem, even on fully adult websites.  Lazy and inept parenting is what should be front and center.

No site that I am involved with will knowingly allow anyone under age thirteen register - ever.  There is no need anyway.  Parents can and should register them, and then monitor usage.  Sites that are more 'social oriented' have a minimum age of eighteen for anything that I am involved with.

Not a lot of options around those who lie, but there are a few registration safeguard tricks that can make it very tough for someone younger than any specified age to register.

Parental responsibility (or lack of) is key.  There is no reason that a parent can't register a child and allow access as they deem appropriate.

There are many tools available that allow the tracking of every website accessed and every keystroke a kid makes if you want to go that far.

Viper as Middle School teacher myself who after-school teaches chess and coaches the school's team on the weekend I actually encourage my kids to get a membership on chess.com to augment what they have learned and play people other than those in their school's club.  That said, I do tell tell the students to establish a membership by sending a letter to their guardians and having the guardian take responsibility of over-looking their child's screen (even when I'm sure the parent may not know how to play) to safeguard off their child receiving an unsolicited private message or on live-chess a pvt. msg. request.  In addition to any perverted comment or solicitation of information through any board chat area.  The site for the most is relatively safe credit the site's chief admin, for his desire into input and willingness to plug any loose holes.  I therefore have no reservations in recommending to my students chess.com. Happy Holidays to everyone

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 No impute from the chess.com administration yet?

chess.com is a community where people can play, learn, and share. Why would we need to have a minimum age requirement? Especially if there are many eager kids who want to learn how to play. AND besides they could easily get around that by lying about their age... This requirement would only provoke them to do so.

ADK

it's the law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Online_Privacy_Protection_Act

Oh.

ADK

  Wow...I really appreciate the feedback!  I believe I will form a group on Chess.com for my students and compose a "waiver" type document.  In order for students to join they will need to have the waiver signed stating that, if under 13, their parents will register them and if 13 or over the parent understands that the site does have a chat capability.  I will also mention that the purpose is, as mentioned by EmpireCityRay, to augement what we do in the club (In addition to all the site has to offer I really like the fact that turn-based play forces them to slow down).  I have been on the site for a few months and have nothing but postives.  Hopefully the administration will be fine with that.

Since I have a premium membership I do not have advertising.  I think that is the last thing I really need to check out.  Obviously if there are a number of beer and whiskey websites I may have to suggest parents get a premium membership (LOL).

agreed,the permission slip/waiver is perfect,that way the kids can use it and their parents are aware

i was 12 when i joined i just lied

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people will just lie

dudes and dudettes, hi: 

!@#%$&

i'm 12, for god's sake, and i feel it's perfectly alright for kids to sign up, so long as both their parents completely agree and know what their child is doing

if the kid is too young, parents should supervise while he/she is using the internet, yes i agree with that