Tech-geek question - how to keep minors from signing up for an adult forum?

SomeGuyOverThere

Sexy Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2004
Posts
1,382
Media
0
Likes
27
Points
258
Location
Glasgow (Glasgow City, Scotland)
Sexuality
60% Gay, 40% Straight
Gender
Male
I know quite a bit about computers, scripts and web design, and realistically there isn't a "foolproof" method.

Legally I expect all you really have to do is make sure that they accept the board TOS when they join and that those TOS include that they are over 18 years old.

Then if it turns out there' a kid on the site and somebody starts making noises, essentially the child broke the contract they have with you, and they don't have a leg to stand on.

I mean if you look at porn sites, (and who doesn't?!) the ones that even bother to have a buffer page just require you (usually) to click a button which says you accept the terms of use (i.e. you're over the age of 18 and wave any rights etc.).

Realistically, there's nothing much else the webmaster can do. The credit card idea is a good one, but then again, I'm 20 and don't have a credit card [I work on the reasoning that the heads of all major credit card companies don't have one, and if they don't have their own product, why should I?], and even if I did, it'd be a UK credit card, which might not work on a US based check. It probably would, but what about somebody from China, for example?
 

dong20

Sexy Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Posts
6,058
Media
0
Likes
28
Points
183
Location
The grey country
Sexuality
No Response
Realistically, there's nothing much else the webmaster can do. The credit card idea is a good one, but then again, I'm 20 and don't have a credit card [I work on the reasoning that the heads of all major credit card companies don't have one, and if they don't have their own product, why should I?], and even if I did, it'd be a UK credit card, which might not work on a US based check. It probably would, but what about somebody from China, for example?

True. I have faced the same problem many times, not so much from an adult content perpective more the 'simple' name/cardholder verification. This is an inherent risk with CNP transactions. In then end all one can do is aim for watertight T&Cs, put the best checks in that one can afford and keep one's fingers crossed.

Geographic restrictions are easier, while VISA etc are in theory truly international, one may choose to only accept cards from selected countries.

A site I once used asked for a scanned image of a paper ID such as as a passport photo page or Drivers licence as verification for additional functionality.

The issue could be sidestepped to a degree by using PayPal or Worldpay and others. That gets around some issues of people not having credit cards (Paypal e-cheque) or having to fool with card checks on the site. In the case of e-cheques it does delay things and personally I hate them.

The use of Adultcheck or such like may be worth considering, then the age verification responsibility passes more toward Adultcheck. I don't know what the charges are though.

As with most such things, it's risk balanced against usability. In the case of an online forum a face to face interview is out of the question whereas a simple "I am over 18" tickbox may not be legally sufficient, depending on the nature of the content of course.
 

B_big dirigible

Experimental Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2005
Posts
2,672
Media
0
Likes
12
Points
183
Sexuality
No Response
I know nothing about computers, so unfortunately I have no helpful hints to offer. :redface:
However, I'm just curious as to what would be in an adults only tractor forum. :confused:
The "tractor repair forum" is a euphemism for a forum I set up a little over a year ago. If I said the real topic it would reveal my Double Secret Identity, since the site is registered to my real name.

What I'm talking about here is a different project. At one time I was considering a site much like LPSG, but investigated first to see if there already was one. Of course, there was.

But as I now have a good understanding of this site's strong and weak points, and a clearer vision of what I want my new site to be like, all I have left to do is worry about a few last details. I have a domain name, a reliable host, blah blah blah, and am right now investigating forum and gallery software packages. If I don't find any which are particularly suitable, I'll just use the standard packages I customized for the "tractor repair forum".

The only real drawback to this hobby is that I dislike software.
 

Freddie53

Superior Member
Gold
Joined
Nov 19, 2004
Posts
5,842
Media
0
Likes
2,609
Points
333
Location
Memphis (Tennessee, United States)
Gender
Male
I'm wondering if pre-paid cards are in someway that's identifiable differentiated from regular credit cards. If there is then charging a nominal fee for the adult sections could assist in keeping out minors. One, you could disallow prepaid cards. Two, a kid would be less likely to use daddy's card if he knows that daddy is going to see that charge show up on his bill and come looking for answers.


*Edit. Big D, after posting this I saw your post about not wanting it to be a paid site, so my advice doesn't help you much. Sheesh, it took me four minutes or more to type up that tiny post? Sad. Now you know why I hate long involved posts. So much for my secretarial career.
You will also knock out husbands or wives who you don't want to know you visit a particular site.

All the government requires is that a site take reasonable precautions. Here at LPSG an vlid birthdate is required. If a minor or anyone falsifies that there are legally responsible not the LPSG.

There are ways to identify most minors on a site if you know how to use google and other search engines.

I think you are worrying needlessly. I don't think it is illegal for a minor to viist a truck supply store or similar place on the internet. If it were, MY Space and UTUBE and such would be in trouble.