Google: No kids allowed

Google's terms of service, while ignored by the vast majority of users, contain a pretty shocking clause: Under 18's are not permitted to use any of Google's Web properties. That's right, kids--no search, YouTube, Gmail, news, or images.

Under 18s wishing to watch YouTube videos of skateboarding dogs, or perform research for a school project will have to go elsewhere--Ask.com or Microsoft's Live.com search, perhaps. The message from Mountain View seems clear: We don't want your (underage) business.

Google's terms of service, thick with legalese, state that:
"You may not use ... Google's products, software, services and web sites ... and may not accept the Terms if ... you are not of legal age to form a binding contract with Google.

In the US, you need to be 18+ in order to agree to a legal binding contract. Looks like I broke the law

And then, take a look at this

Google is currently running a Doodle 4 Google contest, in which K-12 students take a shot at designing a Google company logo. The winner will receive $10,000 and their art will appear on Google's home page for a day.

When viewed in light of the "no kids here" policy in the terms of service, Google's school outreach seems rather strange. Ironically, the winner of the contest will be forbidden from viewing his or her artwork on the main Google page, unless a parent types in the URL for them.

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Google's ToS

Oh, and ATS's search function uses Google too.

[edit on 3/28/2008 by Hyzera]

Good post Hyzera, i guess i've broken google's rules to. My question is has this always been like that or is this something new.

i would guess that it's a CYA tactic. if they were to get sued by some parent because their kid saw porn by "googling" then they could say "well, our terms of service restrict usage to those over 18. sorry." it's kind of like the 100's of warning signs they put on everything for retards that don't use them properly.

reply to post by Hyzera


They just have that so some kid won't view something perverted and their parents sue.

I don't believe there is any conspiracy or malintent there.

reply to post by an0maly33


You beat me to it.

[edit on 1-4-2008 by Sublime620]