Why are children not allowed?

[Dash]

Children under 13 are not allowed play according to your terms of service.

Why is this?

[SireNightFire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ-Md56jK9Y

This might be a reason why

Also because COPPA exists

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children's_Online_Privacy_Protection_Act

[Dash]

I am waiting for RecRoom to make an official comment, but thanks anyway (and that was very tame compared to some of the stuff I've seen going on).

Regarding COPPA, I don't know whether RecRoom falls under US juristiction or not, and if it did, as a parent I can always choose whether I want to give my consent or not. Right now, I don't even have that option.

[SireNightFire]

Originally posted by Dash:

I am waiting for RecRoom to make an official comment, but thanks anyway (and that was very tame compared to some of the stuff I've seen going on).

Regarding COPPA, I don't know whether RecRoom falls under US juristiction or not, and if it did, as a parent I can always choose whether I want to give my consent or not. Right now, I don't even have that option.

Ah sorry!
COPPA was honestly just my best guess since social games can bring out the worst in the worst people.

I just got a Vive recently and haven't had a chance to set it up yet. I have no idea what to expect from the Rec Room. Only VR stuff I've done was at a demo in a microsoft store.

[the first gamer ever]

Originally posted by SireNightFire:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ-Md56jK9Y

This might be a reason why

Also because COPPA exists

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children's_Online_Privacy_Protection_Act

LMAO

[gribbly]

Dash - Children are not allowed because we can't guarantee that users won't be exposed to speech or behavior that they find inappropriate. This means that Rec Room is not suitable for children under 13.

[Little Strawberry]

Originally posted by Dash:

Regarding COPPA, I don't know whether RecRoom falls under US juristiction or not, and if it did, as a parent I can always choose whether I want to give my consent or not. Right now, I don't even have that option.

It doesn't matter if it falls under US jurisdiction or not. In most countries - including the US - the age of consent for basic business capacities, such as forming contracts, is above the age of 12 until you hit full legal competence by becomming an adult. Although it's evaluated as a case by case basis. In previous roman empires it is usually a fixed age. So even without that law, a minor couldn't legally make use of the majority of services and would result in the termination of any associated information or any invalid contracts. Including Steam, by the way. Even if they weren't violating the privacy rights of minors in the first place. All the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act does, is giving any US based companies a fixed age whereas most of the EU has embedded it into their common law. You are right that you can usually consent with your child or extend those capabilities, but that's reserved for teenagers. For a preteen you still can't consent with them, but rather you step into their shoes so to say and become responsible instead Eg. any and all contracts would be with you.

There's also an error with the privacy policy of recroom anyway regarding this subject.

https://www.againstgrav.com/privacy-policy/

Last Updated: November 30, 2016

This policy describes the types of information that Against Gravity, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("we") may collect when you use our website, http://www.againstgrav.com and https://recroom.azurewebsites.net (our "Website") and when you create a Membership (as discussed below) by interacting with the videogame we provide through the Steam Store, Rec Room™ (the “Game”), and the Website. Your use of the Game and related services is also governed by the Rec Room Terms of Service available at https://www.againstgrav.com/terms-of-service/.

Please read this policy carefully to understand our practices regarding and treatment of your information. If you do not agree with this policy, you should not use our Website. By accessing or using our Website, you agree to this policy.

[...]

Children Under the Age of 13

Our Website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. No one under age 13 may submit any information to or on the Website. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are under 13, do not submit any information about yourself to us.

The error here is that RecRoom is refered to as "Game" when "Website" is written down, rendering that policy useless. You have to refer to Game and Website (As it is doing for the most part already) or you have to define the whole thing as a single service. Technically the age restriction only applies to two websites and if you create a membership, since there's no mention of "Game" in it.

https://www.againstgrav.com/terms-of-service/
is fortunately correct, but the privacy policy and the steam EULA aren't in line with the wording.

Just a little something I've noticed, not that it would even matter.

[Dash]

Originally posted by gribbly:

Dash - Children are not allowed because we can't guarantee that users won't be exposed to speech or behavior that they find inappropriate. This means that Rec Room is not suitable for children under 13.

Maybe ban the ones behaving inappropriately, rather than those who might hear what they say...?