Uru as we know it now has less problems than most. But... Getting a handle on the server operator liability is difficult.
There is COPPA - The privacy info act... if a child is under 13, the information one can maintain on a child or pass along about one is restricted. Many handle this by placing age restrictions on membership. It is built into most forum software. Comply with COPPA and one is in pretty good shape on child privacy.
Another debated point is the COPA - Child Online Protection Act. At present the Feds have found it violates free speech and it is not being enforced. However, in other countries (UK) similar laws are being enforced. Various states in the USA have and are in the process of passing similar laws. So, issues of which states legally require/allow what becomes an issue.
There are laws that relieve server operators of most responsibility for what people write on or send through their services. But, that has not stopped some from being named in suits. Often being named is just a way to extort an out of court settlement.
Negligence law suits can penetrate all these protections if points are missed and operators fail to comply with the laws. No matter what, operators can be named in suits and have to defend, guilty or innocent.
The Fed's are reporting that child predators are learning more about making first contact online and using online services more and more often. Because they can hide their identity they are much bolder and more likely to try.
Trying to get data on the extent of the problem is very difficult. News media hypes the issue distorting it. The crimes stats don't break out the numbers in ways that tell us much. So, putting the issue into rational perspective is hard.
The US AG posted this sheet:
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploaded ... safety.pdf
So far the GoW is the only forum, I know of, planning to research the issue and consider it in part of their planning. One MOUL mod basically told me to shut up on the issue. I think this is one of those things we can unite on and work together to get some sense of what server operators are going to be up against. We need some sense of what size of issue this actually is. I suggest letting them take the lead and follow it and contribute at GoW.
Besides keeping the operators safe, there are kids to be concerned about. What do we do to protect the kids?
Every source I check places the most effective solution as the responsibility of parents to educate and monitor their children. The stats show that is not happening. But, education is the most effective tool in protecting children online. How do we get parents to educate their kids?
Trying to educate children in-game would shatter the feel of Uru, IMO, and create an undesirable atmosphere. It might even add to the operator's liability. Even trying to educate along the way going into the game has negative aspects. Many be on servers where a fee is required, one adds it to the ToS so parents see it when they open an account...
It is not pretty. However, these threads do show diligence. There are thousands of sites that are handling these issues in some measure.