This is an EA policy and not a requirement. It is not similar to anything at Microsoft or with other game publishers. It really has nothing to do with content or even COPPA -- at least directly. It only relates to COPPA to the extent that EA either wants to be able to use all user data that is exchanged with EA servers or EA has decided that it is too hard, too risky, or too expensive to manage child data on its servers. In other words, EA does not want to follow COPPA at the EA server level for that data so it disallows exchanging that data. Scorched earth approach to compliance. If it did allow under 13 data to be exchanged with EA servers then it would have to actually comply with COPPA for all the data that exchanges at that level. It is not about maturity of content because that is managed at the console level and the single player parts of the same games are still available in those games with single player. As far as the toxicity of online interactions, it would be better to allow parents to use the console controls like under other games since they you can choose no chat or chat with friends only, etc. (Under PSN accounts, EA limit chat and messaging at the EA account level for over 13 child accounts, which is fine but could be in place for below 13 as well). By making it harder for parents to control the content they are really doing more harm than good. There are so many kids that are on console's with no restraint (as full adult accounts) just to play the Battlefront series and play Madden and FIFA with friends across town. That is a concern -- I would rather see them be limited at the console level.
