Known minor
A user the provider knows is under 18 years old.
How the laws define this
Both definitions under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act agree that a known minor is a child younger than eighteen years of age interacting with a digital service provider, forming the basis for age-specific protections, restrictions, or consent requirements. However, provisions within the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act diverge on how this status is established and defined. One definition from the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act strictly requires that the child has registered their age with the digital service provider. In contrast, another definition under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act applies where the provider knows the child to be a minor for the purpose of applying protections and restrictions, while further specifying that the child has not had the disabilities of minority removed for general purposes.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
What it triggers
- In Mississippi, under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, digital service providers must verify the age of known minors and obtain parental consent for them.source
- Under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, digital service providers must apply the Act's protections and restrictions to known minors.source
- Under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, known minors trigger requirements for parental consent and age-appropriate protections from digital service providers.
Definitions (2)
A child who is younger than eighteen years of age, has not had the disabilities of minority removed for general purposes, and whom the digital service provider knows to be a minor for purposes of applying the Act's protections and restrictions.
A 'known minor' refers to a child who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who has registered their age with a digital service provider. This term is central to the Act's provisions regarding age-specific protections and consent requirements. [cite: 2 (from previous search)]
Not to be confused with
A child-user is a user classified as a child under the Act, while a known minor is a child whose status as under 18 is affirmatively known to the provider through registration or verification.
Questions and answers
What obligations do digital service providers have for known minors under the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act?
Digital service providers must verify the age of known minors and obtain parental consent for them. They must also apply the Act's protections and restrictions to such minors.
How does a user become a known minor for the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act?
A user becomes a known minor if the provider knows they are under 18, such as through age registration or verification.
What distinguishes a known minor from just any minor under these laws?
A known minor is one whom the provider actually knows to be under 18, such as through registration or verification, triggering specific duties like parental consent.
Related Terms
Child user
A user classified as a child under the Act....
Minors
Users known to be under a certain age, typically 18 in California law, requiring heightened protection....
Parental consent
Authorized approval from a minor's parent or guardian....
Personal identifying information
Data that identifies or could identify a minor....
Minimum age
Statutory age threshold triggering child-protection duties....