Underage users?
 

Being a Goaltender community, And hockey is played from children to adulthood, there's going to be some kids <13 applying. I got my first one today and they're automatically in the "COPPA" section of moderation

I dont have a problem activating him technically

What i'm concerned about is legallity. I would LIKE to give him access to the general forums as we try to maintain PG rating. However, DO i have any responsibility to get signed parental permission or other access rights granted?

Yes, I would get parents/guardians permission. Otherwise, you would be held responsible for anything that user may see or do on your forums (I think).

Yea I would unless you enjoy the gov't housing and jump suits

I don't know exactly, and I want to know; some lawyers told me that Forums Administrators doesn't hold 'Liability' for the users acts; but frankly I want it to be a YES, I will hate to have s-predators on my site, meanwhile if it's Yes or Not, I will enforce

I don't have COPPA registrations turned on as I don't really attract younger users to the site. But I do watch the site for any problems in that area and correct them as they happen. So far, nothing has happened.

I would ask for parent permission. That makes sure you are safe from legal problems, but from problems with parents as well.
It may be a good idea to create a page that explains your policy to parents. Practically explaining that your site is well moderated and you do everything you can to keep it safe. And make page that accessible from your home page.

I'm in a similar situation actually, i'm a soccer coach and building a community for the players in our network of leagues... all under U13... actually the goal of the site is more important than the COPPA laws... as these laws refer to opened communities where different persons are involved, not only kids... on our site, there is no need of any specific registration process or permissions because the site is dedicated to these kids... even if parents and coaches are registering to the site, the goal is not of any adult matter...

Any good lawyer will be able to do whatever he or she may want to happen. So laws here dont apply that much. Its just luck I guess.

I never had COPPA on, never had a problem either. Good site policies are a MUST.