Because of the worry of paedophiles?

Seems like an excuse to me. Or do you think they are worried that legal action could be brought against them if something happens in one of their chat rooms?

Guess they don't want pervs playing on their turf. I'd do the same, it's not like they make any money out of it.

and would it leave them open to litigation? Probably...

There's a thread going on in NSR called "Parents - do some parenting" which is discussing this.. Have a looksie at that.

or some very cheap PR, made me laugh every report I heard about it mentioned the word Micro$oft at least twice. Its like look at us arent we great taking this moral stance? Well yes you are but its hardly big news that needs covering on every bulletin.

All chatrooms should be shut down.

Might encourage our society of increasingly lazy and overweight children to actually tear themselves away from the PC and mix with kids of their own age, hopefully doing some sort of sport.

That way, they (learn to) socialise with people of their own age group, get fitter, and never have the worry of not knowing who they are talking to.

A cynic might mutter on about the way they are shutting these down and hyping up Messsanger as a safe alternative.

kernel,

Being cynical (:D) thats exactly what I was thinking, probably got 20 million active users worldwide then start charging to use it!

Gary

Another reason was the ammount of spam that is hitting them.
Their mail servers must be topped up with the cr@p.

I think I read that they are keeping the U.C, Canada & Japan chat rooms open on subscription.

Duck_Pond I agree, web based forums should be next... second thoughts I'd have to do some work.