COPPA Question

[cyberchief]

I have read the coppa info that comes with vBulletin... but still have some lingering questions. My forum is not adult oriented (horse forum). I offer free membership to a state-wide horse organization. Lately.. had a couple under-13 people try and register. I found this out because they would go into moderation... and then I got an email from a parent that wanted to fax me the form so her daughter could join.

Now... I have forum information fairly private. Members cannot see other member's email addresses or any other personal info. The only info that another member can see is whatever the other members write about themselves.

My question is... is there a requirement to enable the COPPA restrictions? I don't gather the info, I don't sell the info, there isn't any age specific advertisements, and the site is pretty much family freindly. I am wondering if I really need to enable COPPA. I really don't want to bother with the forms, etc.

Thoughts/opinions?

[your24hourstore]

no...just disable it and don't sell the info or use it, and you may want to put a disclaimer in the FAQ>>sign up terms that your just not responsible. you may also want a link to let people report abusive behavior and deal with it that way.
also put in the offline user notice that coppa is disabled, use the site at your own risk, and be sure to ask a parent before signing up. LOL or just use the coppa age limit option before sign up so they cant sign up with lying about it, which should be in terms that by doing that you have broken site rules and could have your account deleted.

it sounds like you care so that's the options,

[MMavipc]

I am looking for the same type of information as the OP. I have read the response, but I wanted to know if putting the disclaimer in would be considered legal?

Currently, I auto-reject anyone under age. I would like to open up my forum to some younger members and prefer not to keep records about them, but keeping things totally legal is most important to me.