eBay considers accounts for under-18s

EBAY has joined other online giants in exploring ways to harness an untapped class of customers: kids.

The Internet company may allow consumers who are under 18 years old to set up accounts and access the eBay.com website to buy vintage T-shirts, jewellery, school supplies or other products, said Devin Wenig, eBay's president of global marketplaces in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.


To appease privacy concerns, eBay likely will require the accounts have parental authorization. Mr. Wenig said minors would be able to buy most items available on the site, but eBay would design ways to shield younger users from viewing or purchasing adult content and products.

"We're definitely looking at ways to legitimately bring younger people in," said Mr. Wenig. "We wouldn't allow a 15-year-old unfettered access to the site. We would want a parent, an adult as a ride-along."

The San Jose, Calif., company may start offering these accounts within the next nine months, although the plans aren't yet complete. eBay would join a growing number of technology companies targeting younger customers, who are an increasingly savvy and desirable consumer segment.