Even though this is a good idea, children can, and probably will, lie about their age.

For all of you commenting that a kid could just lie about his age, just how many of you had access to your parents banking info/cards as a child? Seriously! I'm studying the decline of western culture, I really would like to know how may of you had access to secure banking information when you were younger than let's say 12.

50 cents is nothing. Just two quarters.

I just don't understand the .50 cent charge.  It doesn't sound like much but it's still rediculous over all as you can verify authenticity without a charge.  It's appreciative that Nintendo wanted an extra layer of security to prevent minors from abusing the system, but honestly if parents don't know how to secure and password protect the system from being used by their kids, that's their own issue.  

Oh I know some minors are smart enough to circumvent anything a standard parent may use as a password, but then here's a thought, don't keep your password simple.  

I just don't understand the .50 cent charge.  It doesn't sound like much but it's still rediculous over all as you can verify authenticity without a charge.  It's appreciative that Nintendo wanted an extra layer of security to prevent minors from abusing the system, but honestly if parents don't know how to secure and password protect the system from being used by their kids, that's their own issue.  

Oh I know some minors are smart enough to circumvent anything a standard parent may use as a password, but then here's a thought, don't keep your password simple.  

Boo.....

How long did it take the Upper Brass at Nintendo to justify that expense?

"To verify that a parent of guardian provided consent"

Verify that I'm not buying into more BS on a console money grab...

Pathetic.

Next they'll try and justify charging to verify ownership.

This is great.

Not $0.50! That's like 25p! This is an outrage to all gamers, Nintendo, you are a money-grabbing strumpet!

Kids shouldn't be playing games at such a young age. They should be outside playing around and having fun instead of destroying their minds with video games. The future of this world does not look so bright.

Uh... I don't get it. I mean, Nintendo likes receiving money for free -- I get THAT part of it. What I don't get is why a parent would actually have to be charged 50 cents, and not 1 cent (or, even better, zero) on top of simply registering their credit card. I haven't heard of anyone else charging 50 cents for "consent". Do websites charge this? Does Sony or Microsoft charge this? Does Apple make you pay 50 cents for using iTunes? I'm seeing some people defend this idea, mainly in the form of statements that they have to do this to comply with COPPA, and that 50 cents is "nothing." First of all, Nintendo must be the first company ever to comply with COPPA, because I've never heard of parents being charged actual money JUST to verify their consent. Second, if 50 cents is nothing, then you can all send me 50 cents right now. Why not? I mean, it's NOTHING, right? The fact that I've done NOTHING to earn it should only put me right up there with Nintendo. When Nintendo provides a product or service, they can expect to charge money for it. If they make something that is worth 50 cents, then I will pay 50 cents. However, if they provide me with absolutely nothing, and just DEMAND 50 cents, they will get zero. I know it's not a big difference, but it is the difference between doing business and begging for change. According to Wikipedia: "As of June 30, 2012, the Wii has sold 96.56 million consoles worldwide." How many of those units had kids playing on them, do you think? I'll let you imagine what percentage of Wii U units you think is fair to imagine will have children playing on them (hint: it's not none). Now, imagine Nintendo making 50 cents for every one of those consoles, for doing absolutely no work whatsoever, and providing no additional products. Suddenly, the difference between charging zero and charging 50 cents becomes a little different from "nothing," huh?

That's gay. Why would they need to do that. Isn't just an email verification ?

I actually like this idea. As a parent I much rather have a company go through me than give my kid the option to lie.

That is just ridiculous. I can understand the whole parent ID needed to verify minor, but charging for that? No way

Can't they just lie about their age on registration?

Well that's strange, but I guess it makes sense.

I recently had to do this with my xbox for my 11yr old cousin. He can play on any of his xboxes just fine but it wouldn't ever let him on mine, until I gave them the .50cents for whatever BS reason they gave me.

I wouldn't have been so miffed but he can play on his xbox no worries but not mine??? Even when he brought his profile on a flash drive???

very nice Nintendo. Then again this might cause a minority of kids to start stealing their parent's credit cards, and then candy bars from stores, and then well you get the point... Thanks a lot Nintendo!

lies for free truth for $0.50

What is to stop them from lying about their age in the registration process in the first place?
Nothing. So what good is this step?

I don't have to worry about this.