Legal Issue

[SerenityValley]

Hello, We hope someone here either knows the laws regarding this or can point us in the direction we need to go to find an answer.

Our forums are for an online game we run. We received a complaint from one of our players that her underage daughter was upset due to an older man insisting on a role playing relationship with her. The mother confronted him and told him to stop all activity and told him the girl was a minor. He told her that he refused until the girl came in and ended it.

He continued to tell her she could do nothing and that he would continue until we got wind of it and banned him from the game and forums. We refuse to tolerate sick individuals.

Our question is what is our legal responsibility? Do we have to turn this in? Who do we turn it in to if we have to? What all do we turn in?

We took care of the situation but are unsure of what our legal responsibilities are. Please help.

Thank you

[tangor]

Legal advice is not available on this forum. You will get opinions, but these are not legal advice. Sounds like you acted responsibly in this regard. You might want to look at your terms of service to see if it might need an update to reflect the fact that minor children play the game an no improprieties will be allowed, resulting in instant termination. Then again, if you take on the responsibility you are assuming a liability, particularly in the event you FAIL to terminate upon notice. Two-edged sword!

[SerenityValley]

Yeah that is what we are worried about. We already put in a warning that minors play there and to be respectful. Any ideas where I can find the info I need? Are there specific lawyers that deal with internet forums?

[SerenityValley]

Our policy is to immediately suspend privileges until the matter is discussed and sorted. This way the immediate threat is removed until the situation is cleared. Thank you for your response.

[piatkow]

Also remember that this is an international forum. The law where you live may not be the same as where the person giving advice lives.