Access by Minors

[Public Relations - Platte]

Regarding the issue of minors:-

We adhere to the best possible practice and as you are aware take many steps to prevent such access. Too many sites on the internet contain material that is not suitable for minors but which can easily be found through the major search engines and which take limited or no steps to prevent access by minors. For this reason we believe that it is essential that this issue is tackled by parents ensuring that computers, to which minors have access, have restricted access rights to protect children.

We have put a dedicated link to help parents control what their children see through the use
of standard browser settings.

please goto : http://www.plattemedia.com/links/contentrating

We feel, as do all broadcasters, it is not for us to deem what is suitable viewing for a person. This should be the decision of the person or parent and not through any company dictation.

Regarding the issue of a user providing their credit card details to us after they have subscribed to our site:-

The difference is that by this time we will have had a full opportunity to earn their trust through providing the premium content that they had subscribed for. This business model is focused around providing consumers with a means of subscribing for a service on the internet without needing to use a credit card or disclose personal details prior to the sign up. We have perceived a huge demand for such a service due to ever growing consumer concerns about the security of providing credit card and other personal information over the internet.

Further to this, card companies are now issuing, in large numbers, prepaid credit cards to children as young as 13. These cards are not age verified through an online processor. Online card processors (not the website) only check that the card is valid and that funds are available to make a payment.

It has always been a mis-conception that if you have a credit card, you must be over the legal age of consent. Unfortunately this is not the case.

Note to the moderator: -
In a bid to help promote internet viewing awareness to your readers, we would be happy to submit all our information for you to post as a separate link or information group. We are happy to supply the information as an anonymous unbranded link or as raw information, whichever is preferable.

Thank you for your valuable comments

Platte Public Relations

[Andy M]

We feel, as do all broadcasters, it is not for us to deem what is suitable viewing for a person. This should be the decision of the person or parent and not through any company dictation.

I think it unfair to label all broadcasters in this manner. Certainly with the advent of the Internet, place and time shifting of programmes, etc. it becomes very hard for broadcasters to dictate what is watched when, but there are still guidelines in place (ie the Watershed) even if these are being eroded.

Certainly there should be a high emphasis placed on parental responsibility but both "sides" should be working together to make it difficult for minors to access inappropriate material.

Further to this, card companies are now issuing, in large numbers, prepaid credit cards to children as young as 13... It has always been a mis-conception that if you have a credit card, you must be over the legal age of consent. Unfortunately this is not the case.

Actually it is still the case. "Prepaid credit card" is a misnomer. These are NOT credit cards, they are prepay cards (they act in a similar way to a debit card, or to an electronic gift voucher card). Legally, credit (in the true sense) is not available to any person under the age of 18.

It should be perfectly possible to identify from the first four or so digits which type of card is being used, and block those which can be issued to minors. I cannot believe a company supposedly as technically advanced as yourselves cannot find a way to work with the credit card / prepay card companies to work this out.

(See this Wikipedia article on credit card numbers for the basics of what I mean)

If credit cards cannot be used for age verification, as you state, then why do so many other adult web sites use them as a form of verification? Are they all wrong?

In a bid to help promote internet viewing awareness to your readers, we would be happy to submit all our information for you to post as a separate link or information group. We are happy to supply the information as an anonymous unbranded link or as raw information, whichever is preferable.

I'm don't understand this paragraph. What is "internet viewing awareness" and what information do you have in relation to it? Why does it have to be anonymous and unbranded. Please could you clarify what exactly you mean by this?

[ForumFriend]

I agree with Andy's points, and would add the further comments as follows:

(1)

We feel, as do all broadcasters, it is not for us to deem what is suitable viewing for a person. This should be the decision of the person or parent and not through any company dictation.

Responsible broadcasters do, indeed, work with viewing suitability at the forefront of their output.  For that very reason television programmes with certain kinds of content (violence, nudity, etc.) are not broadcast before the 9 p.m. watershed.  Any company which violates this understanding attracts well deserved criticism and censure.

(2)  Credit cards - I cannot believe that anyone working for Platte does not understand the legal issues relating to credit, and this in itself is deeply worrying.  Given the nature of much of the content on the Platte sites, the consumer is entitled to expect a degree of responsibility from the content provider, and such a lack of understanding of the issues relating to minors does not inspire confidence.  I believe the OFT need to be made aware of this.

(3)  I am suspicious that Platte are now hoping to use this forum - THIS forum! - as a means of promoting their content and sites. 
Over my dead body, chaps!

[mjerry]

  i always believed and maintained that believe that what platte are saying about 7 screens and pin numbers and credit cards is a lot of waffle. and i do whole heartedly agree with the Andy comments 100%.
will they ever listen?!
mjerry