Twitter used to be very clear that you had to be 13 to use their site. In fact, it was the first bullet in the "Basic Terms" section.
On September 18, 2009, Twitter released a new Terms of Service that omitted the age requirement which you can see here https://twitter.com/tos. Additionally, Twitter does not ask your age when creating an account. They also have safety tips for parents that do not mention an age requirement and they announced an age screening policy that indicates Twitter account holders can determine what age you must be for use. This might appear to indicate that there is only an age requirement to engage with certain Twitter accounts.
However, their privacy policy says this:
Our Policy Towards ChildrenOur Services are not directed to persons under 13. If you become aware that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us atprivacy@twitter.com. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we take steps to remove such information and terminate the child's account. You can find additional resources for parents and teenshere.
This (If you become aware that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent)
could be interpreted as Twitter requiring parental consent under 13. However, this (If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we take steps to remove such information and terminate the child's account.) could be interpreted as 13 being the age requirement.Maybe someone from Twitter can clarify, but in the meantime, what do you think?
Lisa Nielsen writes for and speaks to audiences across the globe about learning innovatively and is frequently covered by local and national media for her views on “Passion (not data) Driven Learning,” "Thinking Outside the Ban" to harness the power of technology for learning, and using the power of social media to provide a voice to educators and students. Ms. Nielsen has worked for more than a decade in various capacities to support learning in real and innovative ways that will prepare students for success. In addition to her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator, Ms. Nielsen’s writing is featured in places such as Huffington Post, Tech & Learning, ISTE Connects, ASCD Wholechild, MindShift, Leading & Learning, The Unplugged Mom, and is the author the book Teaching Generation Text.
Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.
