Honest to goodness question about teens at AW...

I know that it bothers Chris Hansen so much that an upcoming Dateline - To Catch a Predator is going to target the AW Poetry forum (heads up Haskins!).

No. It doesn't bother me at all.

They won't be teens forever - better they learn what they learn here from us than out on the mean streets.

I remember being a teen. I was usually the youngest among a group of adults so I don't find it strange - it looks normal to me.

If this site weren't as well moderated as it is, then maybe. But w/ Mac running the place, no concerns here.

And like Maryn pointed out, plenty of us are vigilant. If we spot a problem, we'd/I'd report it, ASAP.

The kids that are here, are very safe.

I am sure any problems are reported to moderators ASAP.

In fact, I am sure that even things that aren't problems are reported to moderators ASAP.

Teens can't write.

No, wait, I'm thinking about myself, eleven or more years ago.

Teens are very much welcome here. They can handle themselves rather well, most of the time. If there's any problem, the mods are here.

This is one of the few sites on the Web that I would be okay with my 14-year-old visiting. I know that everyone here watches out for everyone else, and I'd bet dollars to donuts that inappropriate posts aimed at the Young Ones are flagged and reported by at least dozen people each time.

This is very different from something like MySpace, where you've basically got unsupervised kids posting their personal information out there for zillions of people to read and see.

It's all in the maturity level. Like with myspace. If you're stupid enough to meet someone you met online but dont even know really, then you're really not even smart enough to be using the internet period.

maestrowork said:

Teens are very much welcome here. They can handle themselves rather well, most of the time. If there's any problem, the mods are here.

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That, in itself, may be a problem while typing. Just keep them out of the erotica forum.

Of course they're safe, but it would be better to request parental consent all the same.

That's the issue with the Internet. You don't know who's behind the avatar. For all we know, Bravo could be a teenage girl posing as James Dean. Or a self-proclaimed teen could be a dirty old man. But this is a community and we watch out for each other and do our best to alert others of inappropriate behaviors. There's always a decorum -- remember, even if every member here is of age, the posts here are still "in public view" and readily cacheable by Google. So it's always a good idea to think twice before you post something.

Now if you're talking about "private" PMs or saying inappropriate or sexual things to people of whose identity you're not sure, my suggestion is -- don't.

"I never had relationship with that Bravo."
-- Maestro, February 2007.

I would hope that said teenagers would be smart enough to report harassing or anything like that.

I would.

(No I WON'T tell you where I live, actually.)

I would hope that members realise they are on a site with children. It is a matter of trying to act appropriately and reporting anyone who is not.

'Would I say this with a 13 year old in the room', is a useful thought to have, somtimes.

And it is good to draw attention to this. In speaking with the regulars I know I often forget it myself.

Then again, we don't want anyone to have to hold back at all times and make this board into a G-rated board about flowers and cute animals only. There's a balance somewhere...

We need to remember, this is a writers' board, first and foremost. The other stuff (Office Party, TIO, etc.) are there for diversion and entertainment. I think it helps if we remind ourselves the purpose of this board.

Bravo said:

does it trouble anyone else that there are young teens here?

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Forge AW, it troubles me that there are teens on the planet.

IMO they should be quarintined in Alaska, away from the general population, until they reach the age of 18 and then slowly reintegrated into society after passing driving, behavioral, skill, common sense, and intelligence tests. If they don't pass, they must stay in Alaska until they do. If they still haven't passed by their 25 birthdays, they can leave Alaska but must wear an ankle monitoring device so we can track their every move.

But maybe that's just me.

billythrilly7th said:

Forge AW, it troubles me that there are teens on the planet.

IMO they should be quarintined in Alaska, away from the general population, until they reach the age of 18 and then slowly reintegrated into society after passing driving, behavioral, skill, common sense, and intelligence tests. If they don't pass, they must stay in Alaska until they do. If they still haven't passed by their 25 birthdays, they can leave Alaska but must wear an ankle monitoring device so we can track their every move.

But maybe that's just me.

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Just remember, you were a teenager once.

Tattered and Torn said:

Just remember, you were a teenager once.

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Exactly.

And I'm a perfect example of what happens when we don't send teenagers to Alaska under the Thrilly Teenager Plan.

Speaking on behalf of the New York families, we will back your plan, billy.

Next steps?

billythrilly7th said:

Forge AW, it troubles me that there are teens on the planet.

IMO they should be quarintined in Alaska, away from the general population, until they reach the age of 18 and then slowly reintegrated into society after passing driving, behavioral, skill, common sense, and intelligence tests. If they don't pass, they must stay in Alaska until they do. If they still haven't passed by their 25 birthdays, they can leave Alaska but must wear an ankle monitoring device so we can track their every move.

But maybe that's just me.

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This is after they survive Alaska, no?