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Why Google Is Disabling Kids' Gmail Accounts

Posted by timothy on from the handicapping-them-was-considered-gauche dept.

theodp writes "The Washington Post's Elizabeth Flock managed to hold Google's feet to the fire and get an explanation of sorts for why it's making kids cry by disabling their Gmail accounts after years of use. Giving 12-year-olds access to Gmail — unless they are using Google Apps for Education accounts through their school — is proving to be as formidable a task for Google as making renewable energy cheaper than coal. But what about that viral 'Dear Sophie' commercial, asked Flock, in which a father creates a Gmail account for his baby daughter and uses it to send her photos, videos, and messages that chronicle her growing up? 'The implied understanding,' replied a Google spokesman, 'is that the girl in the story does not have access to the account, but that she will have access to it "someday."'"

6 of 228 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Who's fault is it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Children shouldn't be on the internet anyway. They should be readin the bible.

  2. Re:Who's fault is it? by martin-boundary · · Score: 4, Funny

    No need. There's an app for that.

  3. Re:So COPPA is teaching our children to lie... by antifoidulus · · Score: 4, Funny

    I dunno, she probably sat there and pooped while he applied for the account, which is maybe her way of expressing her opinion towards the EULA.

    --
    Monstar L
  4. Re:Who's fault is it? by Joe+U · · Score: 5, Funny

    You are seeing that with the OWS people. If you look at the demographics, there are a LOT of people born after 1985 or so. They lived their entire lives without ever seeing a recession. They think the enormous growth of the 90's was normal. Now comes a recession that affects their precious little selves and they freak the fuck out.

    If I can speak for my Generation (GenX), for a moment: (abridged version) Fuck you, Boomers and fuck you Millenials.

    The Baby Boomers for really screwing us over, several times. I look forward to the retirement homes we're going to toss you into on the budget you gave us. The Millenials for being whining idiots that generally fuck up the Internet I helped create. Please build better retirement homes in about 30 years, thanks.

  5. Re:Who's fault is it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The iBle.

  6. Re:Who's fault is it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I was watching Venture Bros with a friend, who is a lukewarm Christian , the other day. He was talking about Brock Samson. It went like this.

    I said "Samson, like from the Bible".
    He said "What?".
    I said "Magic Hair, Jawbone of an ass, Paid his gambling debts with foreskins?"
    He said "WHAT? That's not in the bible, you're making that shit up, right?".

    Bible stories FTW.