13+ Age Rule [IMPORTANT]
Im gonna keep this short and sweet for you all. There is a rule on 7 cups that doesnt allow anyone of the age 13+ to even be on the site. now in my opinion this rule is a load of you know what. so im starting a petition of sorts. if we get enough people to agree and support a change to the rule to make it 11+ instead im sure admins wont have any other choice but to change it. everyone deserves help. yes i do understand why this rule is in place but age should have nothing to do with getting the help you need. the moderators say the rule is in place because its dangerous. but think about it this way. maybe if admins actually put a foot down as far as people on the site who break rules that could put those 11 year olds in danger we wouldnt have a problem. leave a reply saying something like "i support this!" and hopefully 7 cups can be changed for the better. (P.S IN NO WAY DO I MEAN ANY HARRASSMENT TO MODERATORS,ADMINS,OR OTHER STAFF MEMBERS. THIS IS STRICTLY A PETITION FOR A RULE CHANGE AND SHOULD NOT INSPIRE ANY HARRASSMENT AND IN NO WAY DO I MEAN ANY OFFENSE TO MODERATORS OR ADMINS PERSONALLY)
@intuitivePeach2310
The reason for that is COPPA laws, which are laws that prohibit companies from gathering data on kids younger than 13. This means a company can't track the browsing habits or location (smart phones report this) of a 12 year old. Websites enforce the 13+ rule because they're legally obligated to do so. It has it's drawbacks, but it's for an extra layer of safety I guess. Doesn't work very well, since kids at very young ages have access to internet and the majority of them have accounts to websites that aren't specifically for kids. You see users commenting "I'm 9 and..." on youtube videos all the time.
@intuitivePeach2310
I should add that I think you're right, and younger kids should absolutely have access to help. The rules definitely need to be changed, I'm just not sure this website can do anything about it. There are other petitions out there to stop other bs internet laws though. And adults can call their reps.
I support lowering the Member age to 11 or 12, however it would unfortunately not fit within the COPPA laws as the person above me has stated 
@intuitivePeach2310
I do not agree with this, because I think age limits are good when it comes to using the site, however, I do think people of all ages, even 13 should be able to be a listener. Just because one is two years older, doesnt always mean two years wiser, and maturity should not be based off of that.
@RooDailies
I'm 33. No 13 year would be able to give me the support I need. They barely have even lived. I completely disagree that a 13 year old should be a listener.
@LokisLittlePrincess
Listeners are seperated by age. 18+ listeners supports all ages 18+, and all listeners 15-17 support ages 13-17. So a 13 year old would only be listening to those aged 13-17, not 33.
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@KittenGirl101
I agree with @KittenGirl101. At 13 I was homeless and at 14 in Foster Care until I was 17. You quite simply don't know how much an infividual could have gone through behind the scenes.
@intuitivePeach2310
I support this! :)
Hell yeah, I used to feel hopeless and still do in some places because I was/ am apparently too young to get help :/
Same Here!!!! ❤️
I read through COPPA (the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. 6501–6506), and I don't see that it's a problem.
COPPA was intended to protect children under 13 from having their personal information collected by websites without their parents' consent. It does not prohibit websites from being used by children under 13!
7 Cups was intended to provide people with emotional support on demand without collecting personal information from them.
Therefore, in principle, there is no conflict between 7 Cups and COPPA if we do include children under 13.
I am not a lawyer, though, and COPPA might not be the only law that needs to be considered. Perhaps this change might mean big legal fees for 7 Cups, even if it is legally permitted.
Personally, I agree that children under 13 deserve support just like anyone else.
@RarelyCharlie
These laws kind of confuse me. There are plenty of website for younger kids that I loved when I was younger (webkinz, poptropica, club penguins)
I think perhaps if 7 cups were to change this, they would have to edit the sign up for 7 cups maybe to have email verification by parents, or something like that...
But in my personal opinion, I dont really want younger kids using this site!! I deal with enough of that as is, that having a break and getting to be surrounded by people my age is really a breather.
So if I were to agree with this, it would be in the terms that under 13 is its own separate group like adults and teens, and the children can move up to teens when they turn 13.
They have a different side of the site for teens. So why is this such a big deal? I feel comfortable knowing that many on this side are adults, not children.
@intuitivePeach2310 I SUPPORT THIS
@intuitivePeach2310
I DEFINITELY SUPPORT THIS!!!!!! 11 and UP!!!!!!!!
The others are right in terms of what the law states about gathering personal data and information.
Limitations on age is good and necessary.
