Should Teens 17 and under be allowed to do business- Cast your vote now. - Page 8 - DNForum - Domain Sales, Domain Forum, Domain Appraisals, Domain Registrars

**mjnels** · 03-09-2008, 10:03 PM

i vote YES!

**ddaybofb** · 03-09-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNGeeks

As pointed out recently, and I had thought of it already, we can solve the problem ourselves by just getting everyone under 18 TOS'd from registrars and increase our own portfolio's.

Ahah thats funny

Too bad it will never happen

**EGS** · 03-09-2008, 10:19 PM

Well let's take a look at US laws & policies..

At age thirteen (13), people can register and own a domain name, AND operate a website.

HOWEVER, typically you must be eighteen (18) to use a payment method to purchase a domain name or operate a website (with hosting etc)..

So let's look at the legalities of things...yes teenagers should be able to do business here, especially if they have PAID for a lifetime membership in which there was a digital contract made by DN Forum after payment was issued for membership.

IF a 17 year-old can drive in most states, why restrict them from DNF? A 17 year-old can also go into the military (with parental permission), etc.

So I say YES, teens should be able to do business here. There are many teenage entrepreneurs anyway. You'd be surprised at how many refunds you'd have to issue by terminating accounts that are linked to people age 17 and younger..

**VirtualT** · 03-09-2008, 10:20 PM

IMO everyone should need to be verified to do business here, and it should be compulsory to show your correct age in your profile

Acroplex · 03-09-2008, 10:21 PM

From my understanding the poll is about accepting any more sub-18 registrations.

**DotComGod** · 03-09-2008, 10:25 PM

Ok this thread was started as I continue will march forward over the coming month to make dnforum.com and better place to do business for domainers.

There will see some new features amd things that will let you know what the goal is of this forum.

It has never changed since I have owned it, it is to make this a better place for us all to learn about domains and conduct business here.

That focus will not change, but I will certainly do a few things that will be popular and some that won't be but the goal is to get you more money for your assets and the tools to manange those assets better.

-=DCG=--

**acronym007** · 03-09-2008, 11:22 PM

100% NO... They should be welcome to contribute to discussions but not for business. We all have to wait for things in life, just the way the world works. What if too perhaps a parent forbids their child to do this and yet we allow them too? Under 18 is a child and in the US they are not responsible for their actions.

**DomainsInc** · 03-09-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EGS

Well let's take a look at US laws & policies..

At age thirteen (13), people can register and own a domain name, AND operate a website.

HOWEVER, typically you must be eighteen (18) to use a payment method to purchase a domain name or operate a website (with hosting etc)..

So let's look at the legalities of things...yes teenagers should be able to do business here, especially if they have PAID for a lifetime membership in which there was a digital contract made by DN Forum after payment was issued for membership.

IF a 17 year-old can drive in most states, why restrict them from DNF? A 17 year-old can also go into the military (with parental permission), etc.

So I say YES, teens should be able to do business here. There are many teenage entrepreneurs anyway. You'd be surprised at how many refunds you'd have to issue by terminating accounts that are linked to people age 17 and younger..

Maybe you should read the TOS of the registrars you deal with. I'm not sure what law you are referring to that says 13 year olds can own domains.

**thevirtual** · 03-09-2008, 11:52 PM

Still haven't seen any case of anyone on the forum being adversely affected by the fact that there are teenagers using the forum.

US Law also requires one must be at least 35 years of age to become President. But people like George W. Bush still get elected...

Btw, I am not a teenager.

**MobileDesigner** · 03-10-2008, 12:16 AM

I should change my "yes" vote a "no" vote.

I didnt think if someone was 13 that they could buy or sell domains to us. If we were to make a deal with 13 year olds that have no access to Credit cards, there would be a lot more new problems. also some pervs may contact these teenagers.

More problems that we do not know at this time could arise.

I should have thought more clearly about this before casting my vote.

**trader** · 03-10-2008, 12:22 AM

I did not buy this forum in 2002 when I had a golden opportunity to do so for the very reason that it was owned by a high school boy who was 15 or 16 at the time and I was afraid he could legally renege on the sale at any time after he got his money because he was a minor and still keep the money (which he could have easily done).

**thevirtual** · 03-10-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trader

I did not buy this forum in 2002 when I had a golden opportunity to do so for the very reason that it was owned by a high school boy who was 15 or 16 at the time and I was afraid he could legally renege on the sale at any time after he got his money because he was a minor and still keep the money (which he could have easily done).

There are also plenty of easier ways for someone to scam, cheat others out of their money no matter what age. I haven't heard any case of something like you describe ever happening but of course that member would be banned and they would be known as scammer/cheater. Period.

**trader** · 03-10-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevirtual

There are also plenty of easier ways for someone to scam, cheat others out of their money no matter what age. I haven't heard any case of something like you describe ever happening but of course that member would be banned and they would be known as scammer/cheater. Period.

I am sure there are many cases where a minor reneges on contracts. It probably happens a lot thruout the nation.

Not saying Dan would have done it which was very unlikely at the time but from what I understand about the law with voidable minor contracts he could have got out of the contract at most any time, even years later. Thay's because he was a minor at the time of contract and possibly could even got the domain back too. Maybe he would not think of it by himself (I am sure he was honest at the time) but later do it due to peer pressure, or even his parents want that done because they later say he sold it far too cheap, just said as examples of the inherant risk.

P.S. How could he banned if he owns the forum?

Acroplex · 03-10-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trader

I did not buy this forum in 2002 when I had a golden opportunity to do so for the very reason that it was owned by a high school boy who was 15 or 16 at the time and I was afraid he could legally renege on the sale at any time after he got his money because he was a minor and still keep the money (which he could have easily done).

Truth be told, Dan did reneg on the offer made by 3 mods of that time (truly a lowball offer if you ask me, of about $1k). They were pissed off and left to start DomainState. GregR had sneaked around offering a whopping $5k - a fortune to a high school kid

**trader** · 03-10-2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acroplex

Truth be told, Dan did reneg on the offer made by 3 mods of that time (truly a lowball offer if you ask me, of about $1k). They were pissed off and left to start DomainState. GregR had sneaked around offering a whopping $5k - a fortune to a high school kid

I forgot about that. It is alleged that is what happened and also a reason the DS Mods never liked me because they in-effect also blamed me for it at the time, IMO.

P.s. My first offer was 3.5k then 4k.

**dcristo** · 03-10-2008, 12:54 AM

tough one. should a few bad apples ruin it for the whole bunch?

**TheLegendaryJP** · 03-10-2008, 01:07 AM

My take on things are as follows...

I have nothing against a young man or woman trying to better themselves and making a dollar. I am sure there are many who could do so in a professional and honest manner. The issue however is a legal one. On that basis alone I personally would never knowingly do business with a youth. Not because that person may be dishonest or unprofessional but because the legal system may not fully protect me. I have learned and others have seen that theives, the unprofessional and so on are generally older than 18 . Again the issue is not one of prejudice or ill thought , rather a legal one. Should someone care to do business with a youth they need to realize the potential legal implications, as with doing business with anyone the scales are weighed.

I believe because this is serious business and serious amounts of money are being exchanged a clear indicator a member is a minor needs to be available. Clearly a new member could lie and use false ID, deceptive practices will never cease. ID verification for everyone could help curb scams but again deceptive practices can get around this verification. I am really conflicted on how to be sure it is worth the effort. JMO

**NavySeals91** · 03-10-2008, 01:12 AM

I voted yes simply because I did business online since I was 12 and am now, (in a few days) 17 years old. I've been in good standing as well as others under 18 who are in this community.

I'd hate to see future entrepreneurs and the future of our country, our world rather be pushed back and limited. Believe me, there are tons of bad apples, but for every bad apple there are legit law abiding teens who are great businessmen.

I think minors should have a parent sign off on the deal if it is being made if the buyer/seller so wishes. It is at the risk of the other party and up to them. However, age must be disclosed and verified. But by doing that, you may also drive people away who don't want to scan their license or ID.

**RichInCollege** · 03-10-2008, 01:42 AM

I've been into e-commerce since I was 14..Don't think I ever caused anybody much of a problem :-\

**Find A Date** · 03-10-2008, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DotComGod

Should Teens UNDER 18 years old be allowed to do business here?

Yes or No.

-=DCG=-

I vote yes, with an escrow service provided by DNF that will require verification from both parties regardless of age.

Buyers or sellers under the age of 18 would have to provide verification from a parent that they have their support and financial obligation to honor the transaction.

A DNF Escrow service could also be beneficial for domain transfers that some of our foreign members (regardless of age) do not have access to.

Funds would have to be transferred to escrow and verified as secured and non-revocable, before the domain is transferred to the buyer.

I think the DNF Escrow service is a great idea and support it fully.

Good Luck Adam,

Robert