User blog comment:Semanticdrifter/Updates to COPPA/@comment-7294592-20130703134115/@comment-8717779-20130703191204

Not only that, its NOT about the content of the site. This seems to be a very wide misconception of this Law. People need to sit and read the full Law to truly understand the reasons behind it, and WHY its a good thing. =) Its more about protection from people, not content. Not trying to step on anyones toes, but Staff has to really understand the Law so they can explain it to the Kiddos and adults the correct way, if/when an issue comes up as in having to ban someone that is not 13. This also protects Wikia. They meet the obligation by saying you must be 13 to use this site. If the kiddo lies, then Wikia is off the hook. I know they care about the Kiddos, but they also have a Company to look after and protect as well, but even that may not protect either party.

The fact that you can indeed use and IP adress to figure out location down to almost and exact address is a frightening thing. Some times (sorry Kiddos, but you know its true.) can get out of hand when dealing with confrontation. All it takes a sick minded person to do is figureout where they are using the IP Addy. What if that person lives close enough to take that squabble from internet bravdo to in person physical harm/violence. That Kiddo learned a hard lesson. Now the Parents that arent aware that their little Angel is a tyrant online, learns that his where abouts were gotten from the IP Addy for Wikia, Parents sue, Parents win, because Anonymous access circumvents the 13+ policy. Wikia goes broke. No more Wikia of any kind. That isnt even a harsh example, but reality all the same.

Hope that kind of sums it up a bit better than actual legalise.

HTH

LS