ehh why? You would have to specify your birth date if this was true?

Reading google's statements, it strikes me as a technicality. Chances are that, given how many of googles users *Are* under 18, it would only be an issue in the event of a minor grossly misusing the services, in which case the legal coneqeunces would most likely fall on the heads of that minor's guardians, or on the them if they were 18 by the time the issue got to court. It is somewhat troubling in its implications though, and doubtless won't be great for google's business.

no. Probably a unenforceable legalese to protect themselves from a frivolous lawsuit?

I did not. Interesting. The article was amusing.

Really? How do they know the age of the user?

are you kidding? do you believe that?

I doubt this would stand up is a court of law. It's just a devise to try to get people to use the services responsibly. Utter legal nonsense.

I can see a couple of reasons for it. 1) It protects Google from parents suing Google if their kids use a product to find porn or anything illegal. If they SAID they allowed anyone of any age to use their services, THEY could be sued by parents who don't agree with their kids finding stuff THEY don't want them to. 2) If a kid uses Google on a "click-thru" ad (on their results screens or ANY site), and something goes wrong - The kid buys something, views porn, etc. - Google is protected. This forces the advertisers to verify age, not Google. I think the point is in the "... may not accept the Terms if ... you are not of legal age to form a binding contract with Google". And, really, how many people actually READ the TOAs? I mean, it was a few months and a number of answers to underage people that I found that AB's rules "Age Requirement. You must be at least 14 years old to use the Service." Again, I think this is to protect AB from 12yos and under asking and finding answers to adult questions. I DO find it interesting, with all the Google search bars ON websites, YouTube, GMail, and all the other chachkies they offer, etc., that the terms don't state something to the effect of "Google does not check the ages of anyone who uses any Google products and services. If a product or service of Google's requires a certain age-limit, it will be asked for and stated at that P or S's home page or terms. Google is NOT responsible for which pages it's search brings up, but DOES allow a block for certain of it's products." - Say images and videos. But, I'm sure their lawyers have done due diligence and figured out that this would cover them.

Really? Weird..you're encouraged to use Google for research in school.. Hey mom! We did illegal stuff in school today!

Maybe in certain countries. I don't think that will or can happen in the USA.

thanks for letting me know about this.