Under 18's in the web design and hosting industry

[imported_Michael]

What are everyones views on the under 18's competing in the web design and hosting industry? Do you think it is damanging other companies? etc..

[bear]

Well, I don't see how it could damage other companies, but I'd be extremely cautious about doing business with them. For instance, in many countries, a person under 18 can't legally enter a contract, so they aren't legally bound to provide what you get from them.
There are other issues, but that's a big one for me personally.

[exstatic]

Some youngsters have a natural design talent, will work for chips, and have abundant amounts of time to work on projects.. so it does kill some designers..

However, when you get into commercial works, alot of people will be sceptical to hire an 15 year old to design a website, due to thier lack of 'real world' exposure..

Realistically.. its always going to be there, heck I even sold a website design when I was 16.. but I doubt it will be a major issue

[coderanger]

Speaking as a member of that group, I think it wont be that much of an issue. While I have carefully avoided the world of commercial hosting, from what I do know of it the market is driven by what you supply. If the quality of your work is what is desired, then I don't think consumers will care about age. Just make sure you provide a better product or service and you should be fine.

[Fergal]

Not being a technical person myself it always frightens me how many programming languages under 18's are comfortable with. I know that I'll never catch up. Young people are growing up with tech and can grasp it very quickly.

Good luck to any teenager that is getting paid for good work. I would share Bear's concerns re legal issues, in some countries it is illegal to employ someone under 16 for eg.

Web design has very few entry barriers as a business. The set-up costs are not high and you don't need employees to get up and running. So it can be an easy business for under 18's to get into and provides an excellent opportunity for self employment from a young age.

Fergal

[altyfc]

It's a free marketplace so I don't have any problems with there being kids out there doing similar work at a fraction of the price. People will pay for experience as well as talent, though, and most kids lack basic business experience IMO.

Aaron

[CredibleHost]

My only concern is (as a mom) I think the kids should be concentrating on school and not getting into business. When they complete school, then power to them to get into their own business.

[coderanger]

As much as that may be true, all schools (well all normal schools) make room for some kind of extracurircular activities, personally I would rather use that time to make a bit a of spending money (and learn a bit about the business world) than run around a football field for a few hours a day. But then again maybe thats just me.

[Fergal]

Personally I think it's good for young people (still at school) to earn money part time. It teaches a respect for money and a sense of responsibility. Provided it's not overdone of course - youth should be enjoyed there's plenty of time for work when you get older.

There should also be time for sport and fresh air. This is essential for a healthy body and mind. It's all about balance.

Fergal

[CredibleHost]

Yes, agreed that earning money is a good thing, but webhosting is not a part time job. It requires many hours of commitment. Maybe kids doing design work for that extra money is great. But I don't believe they should be webhosts. The kiddie hosts put a bad rep on the hosting industry IMHO.