Suggestions Form
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<Subject>: parental controls
<Body>:
Suggestion Idea: Allow parents to designate their children's memberships as "under 18" until a certain date. Probably most practical as a "premium only" option.
Specifics:
First, I think this would work best as a "premium only" option. Since payment is required, it is somewhat easier to ensure that the person is over 18. It won't stop all, but it will help. This information would NOT be displayed intheir profile or anywhere else, but kids would automatically be excluded from the Flame Wars Forum and, if established, similar games. Parents could also put folks on their kid's ignore list, edit personal info out of their kids profiles or block their kid's use of the site for a time period entirely (though no gap in payment would apply). It would work similar to the way the current "Ignore" button works. There would be no designation anywhere on the profile. The coding would be hidden. If the child tries to enter the site, a pop-up would appear saying "sorry you are not allowed here". As added security, perhaps parents could even be given a separate password allowing them to temporarily block their kid's participation, add to their kid's ignore list, even edit their profile to ensure they don't have too much personal stuff in there, etc. This might mean basically giving kids 2 passwords -- one for them and one for the parent) ... another reason to make this a "premium only" option.
Why it is needed:
This is a dangerous world out there. This just adds more options, a little more security for parents. The greatest need would be if there ends up being something like the "Flame game" option I suggested in another thread, though I can see some parents being wary of the Flame Forum that exists right now. Also, it would allow parents to put folks who have been abusive on their kids ignore list or to change their kid's profiles .. without relying on the kids to do it themselves (and to keep the changes in place without the kid's permission).
This gives parents control without expecting the rest of folks to comply. Allowing parents this option would give many a reason to actually PAY instead of just having them exclude this site. NOTHING is 100%, but that really isn't the point. In the "old days" some kids hid Play Boy magazines, made bottle rockets without their parent's permission... and were either caught or not and suffered consequences (or not). This would just make it a bit easier for parents. Though no kid follows the "rules" all the time, most do generally when it comes to the "bigger" stuff.
The danger is that pedophiles, etc will use this option to find kids. However, I see that as a minimal risk because there is no identification. No one will know, unless told, if someone is a minor. All that will happen is if the child tries to join an inappropriate game or site, a popup will appear saying "sorry, your parent has excluded you from this site" or "sorry, this site is not on your allowable site list". It will be up to parents to use the option and to monitor their children's use. This jsut makes it easier.
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