ShortBooks Minor Account and Parent Consent Policy

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    <h1>ShortBooks Minor Account and Parent Consent Policy</h1>
    <p style="color:#666;">Effective Date: April 14, 2026</p>

    <p>
        This policy explains how ShortBooks handles accounts involving users under the age of 18,
        including parent or legal guardian consent requirements, account activation restrictions,
        and related compliance and safety rules.
    </p>

    <h2>1. Minor Accounts Require Approval</h2>
    <p>
        If a user registering for ShortBooks is under 18 years old, the account may require approval
        from a parent or legal guardian before it is activated.
        ShortBooks may delay, restrict, suspend, or deny access to any minor account until required approval is completed.
    </p>

    <h2>2. Parent or Guardian Email Requirement</h2>
    <p>
        A minor registering for ShortBooks must provide a valid parent or legal guardian email address
        when required by the registration flow.
        The parent or guardian email must belong to an adult authorized to make decisions for the minor.
    </p>
    <p>
        If the provided email is invalid, misleading, unauthorized, or otherwise unreliable,
        ShortBooks may reject the registration or keep the account inactive.
    </p>

    <h2>3. Approval Process</h2>
    <p>
        When parent or guardian consent is required, ShortBooks may send an approval request
        to the provided parent or legal guardian email address.
        The account may remain in a pending state until that approval request is completed successfully.
    </p>
    <p>
        Approval requests may expire after a limited period of time.
        If approval is not completed before expiration, the request may become invalid and a new request may be required.
    </p>

    <h2>4. Rejection or Non-Approval</h2>
    <p>
        If a parent or legal guardian rejects the request, fails to approve the request,
        or if ShortBooks cannot reasonably verify required consent, the minor account may remain inactive,
        be suspended, or be removed.
    </p>

    <h2>5. Minor Access Restrictions</h2>
    <p>
        ShortBooks may apply additional restrictions, safety controls, or feature limitations to minor accounts.
        These restrictions may include limits on monetization access, publishing access, communication features,
        testing access, or other account capabilities where needed for safety, legal compliance, or platform integrity.
    </p>

    <h2>6. Parent / Guardian Responsibility</h2>
    <p>
        By approving a minor’s access where required, a parent or legal guardian confirms that they are authorized
        to provide that approval and understand that the minor may use ShortBooks subject to the platform’s Terms,
        Privacy Policy, Content Policy, and any other applicable rules.
    </p>
    <p>
        Parent or guardian approval does not eliminate the platform’s right to suspend, restrict, or terminate the account
        if rules are violated or if continued access creates safety, legal, or operational risk.
    </p>

    <h2>7. Information Stored for Compliance</h2>
    <p>
        ShortBooks may store records related to minor registration and parent or guardian approval,
        including approval status, request timing, legal agreement versions presented,
        IP address, browser information, and related compliance logs.
        These records may be retained for security, legal, and audit purposes.
    </p>

    <h2>8. False Information</h2>
    <p>
        Providing false age information, false parent or guardian information,
        or attempting to bypass the consent process is prohibited.
        ShortBooks may suspend, reject, or terminate accounts associated with false or deceptive information.
    </p>

    <h2>9. Safety and Enforcement</h2>
    <p>
        ShortBooks may take any action reasonably necessary to protect minors, parents, rights holders,
        platform users, and the platform itself, including restricting features, removing content,
        suspending accounts, denying access, or retaining records needed for investigation or compliance.
    </p>

    <h2>10. Changes to This Policy</h2>
    <p>
        We may update this policy from time to time.
        Continued use of ShortBooks after an updated version becomes effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy,
        to the extent permitted by law.
    </p>

    <h2>11. Contact</h2>
    <p>
        Questions regarding minor accounts or parent / guardian approval should be submitted
        through the support or contact methods made available through ShortBooks.
    </p>
</section>