Why can't people under 18 use this app?

EmilyBaron8254

My sibling is 16 and she sees me using this app, and she thinks it's really useful but she can't use it because she's not 18. Maybe add some other ages? Thanks!

Alatariel75

All of the above, legal liability and the ability to enter into a contract. A 16 year old can enter a contract, but it can't be enforced against them, so MFP won't let under 18s join because they can't rely on the user's consent as a defence to any legal claim made against them.

AnnPT77

IMU, one of the big reasons is that people who aren't fully grown yet can have dramatically different calorie and nutritional needs from grown adults. In addition to that, there are sadly rather frequent creepers who come here to catfish or look for "stimulating" chat unsuitable for young people, but who use tactics to lure people in that young people may be more vulnerable to. Further, some health authorities consider calorie counting to be less than ideally mentally healthy for young people who may not have the maturity to put weight management into the proper perspective for sustained good mental health and self image.

It's complicated.

Since you're asking, I'm guessing you consider your young sister has the individual maturity to handle all those issues, but if you look at it from the perspective of a company like MFP, they have to be thinking whether the average person under 18 has that maturity . . . which unfortunately, many or most don't.

BTW, in case it's unclear: I don't work for MFP. I have seen occasional young people who've sort of snuck in here, and the results aren't necessarily good.