Monday, February 6, 2012

The Age of Competency in Internet Media

One of the readings in the "Generation Digital" book discussed the rise of Internet laws, and what age children are to be competent enough to distribute their private information and sign contracts online.  Since kids younger than adults (18 and over) use the Internet, the government thought they should make the legal age 13.

But is that really wise?


The government says that 13 year old teens legally can understand and sign stuff, but 13 year olds are really just kids stuck in a pubescent body.  They don't magically understand everything there is to know about legal proceedings, etc. the day they turn 13.  They act just like 12 year olds! Bratty and THINK they know everything.

13 year olds want to grow up too fast, so they end up making themselves looking ridiculous.  How can you say a 13 year old is legally competent when they go around online spelling in slang?

They're not cool.

They're not adults.

And they're not legally competent.

13 year olds are just kids making stupid decisions because they want to act grown-up.  And the government says that, legally, 13 year olds are bound by the same laws as their parents.

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