Gaming the System: A Critique of Minors’ Privilege to Disaffirm Online Contracts

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 628 I. The Privilege of Disaffirmance ................................................................................. 630 A. Historical Restriction.................................................................................... 630 1. Protectionist View ................................................................................. 631 2. Exploitive View ..................................................................................... 631 B. Modern Privilege ........................................................................................... 633 II. The Effect of E-Commerce ..................................................................................... 636 A. Growth of the Web as a Market ................................................................ 637 B. Minors on the Internet ................................................................................. 638 1. Experience Developed While Transacting Online .......................... 640 2. Disregard of Minors’ Experience Online .......................................... 642 C. The Problem of Identity on the Internet .................................................. 643 1. Balancing Interests Between Minors and Adults ............................. 644 2. The Loss of Balance for Online Transactions ................................. 645 III. Questioning the Continued Relevance of Disaffirmance .................................. 647 A. General Disaffirmance as a Supplemental Protection ............................ 647 1. Discouraging Unfair Terms ................................................................. 647 i. Standardized Contracts .................................................................. 647