Minimum age?

[Guest]

Didn't I remember reading that 13 was supposed to be the minimum age? Been meeting *alot* of younger kids since the free accounts have come out.....kids without the parental controls, and I'm just wondering what your personal policy is for them...do you turn them in for ToS violation as soon as you find out they are under 13, or do you only do it if you know they are under 13 and they are also a general nuisance or pain in the butt, or a griefer of some kind. I'm kind of on the moral fence I guess you could say......some properties have 'adult atmosphere' on their bios and I dont' think that's a suitable place for a kid under 13, or even a young teenager to be, but there's nothing you can do about the young teenagers since they are not actually doing anything wrong by being around. Anyway, what's your policy when you come across one that admits they are younger than they are supposed to be in order to play?

 

[TomCullen1]

Same thing I have always said.

I am not their parent and cannot make decisions on what they may or may not be exposed to. It's really none of my business.

 

[imported_MattelMichele]

<blockquote><hr>

Didn't I remember reading that 13 was supposed to be the minimum age? Been meeting *alot* of younger kids since the free accounts have come out.....kids without the parental controls, and I'm just wondering what your personal policy is for them...do you turn them in for ToS violation as soon as you find out they are under 13, or do you only do it if you know they are under 13 and they are also a general nuisance or pain in the butt, or a griefer of some kind. I'm kind of on the moral fence I guess you could say......some properties have 'adult atmosphere' on their bios and I dont' think that's a suitable place for a kid under 13, or even a young teenager to be, but there's nothing you can do about the young teenagers since they are not actually doing anything wrong by being around. Anyway, what's your policy when you come across one that admits they are younger than they are supposed to be in order to play?

[/ QUOTE ]

My policy is to have a lot that is capable of handling all ages. And nobody should be asking for personal information, it is up to the *lot owner to pay attention and mercy boot those that appear to young. I think that if its bothersome, then perhaps rethinking the whole "adult theme" is in order; we are playing with children, and children still need to a safe place to play this game. So regardless of what you think, and whether this sounds unfair, it's still a game meant for teens &amp; adults.

Or do what i do, activate the profanity filter &amp; mercy boot when necessary.

*or roomies

 

[Guest]

I don't know. I don't think they should be allowed to play, but at the same time I am not going to take the time to file a report if I come across a younger kid in game. Maybe I have a soft spot for them. Maybe I'm just biased because I'm still young-ish myself, just coming up to my 17th birthday. I really doubt it though because 10/11/12 year olds tend to be a nuisance.

I'm just too lazy to report something that isn't really going to make a huge difference to the game.

My sister is 12. She is not mature enough to handle TSO. I do not know many 12 year olds who are. Even most 13 and 14 year olds are not, in my honest opinion.

I can't really think of a way for somebody to prove that they are either 13+ or have the consent of a parent other than having to insert a credit card number purely for verification purposes. Even then, most 10/11/12 year olds are crafty enough to borrow mommy and daddys card.

 

[imported_Danny Dots]

If they don't bother me, I wont bother them...

It's not my job to protect and shelter other parents kids... I just hope the parents know what their kids are doing and what is going on. I'm sure there are lots in TSO that are "kid" or "youngster" friendly but I know there are a lot that arent. Also many sims have dirty mouths, lol... I can be guilty of that sometimes.

On a side note, is it against the TOS to curse in the game? I've always been very confused by that since it is a teen game yet many people do and there are filters.

Edit - I'm a fan of SL solution to this by makin a teen world and an adult world but I don't see EAL doing this anytime soon.

 

[imported_Qute Pi]

If it was my child they wouldn't be playing this game before age 16 lol. We also play xboxlive and even then it's not always appropriate for children. I don't think parents watch close enough sometimes.

At the same time, it isn't my responsibility to decide what they are allowed to do or not. The only thing I can and do do, is try my best to remain G rated, as well as run a property for all.

I do wish EA or EAL would have better control of the situation. In the 5 years I've played I'd say I've come across no more than 10 sims with permissions set.

 

[MaxCTSO]

I think the younger kids are fine. I started playing when I was 12 and am 17 now. I remember back in the day I let my friend go on my account and he told people that he was 12 years old and they banned my account. I wasn't able to go back onto my acccount until I sent EA a letter in the mail saying that it was ok for me to play. Well my parents were supposed to send the letter but I guess EA couldn't tell the difference.

 

[imported_Dali Dalinza]

<blockquote><hr>



On a side note, is it against the TOS to curse in the game? I've always been very confused by that since it is a teen game yet many people do and there are filters.



[/ QUOTE ]

If you try to report someone cursing, the auto message says that you need to use your profanity filters. So, I think the answer is no -- cursing is not against the TOS. Hate speech is against the TOS, but is another issue.

Some of my best game friends were under 13 when they started. Some of the biggest pains in the tush have been under 13, as well. I always tell the kids not to be open about their ages, or anything else that has to do with their real life. That is as far as I go on policing pre-teens.

 

[imported_Danny Dots]

<blockquote><hr>



If you try to report someone cursing, the auto message says that you need to use your profanity filters. So, I think the answer is no -- cursing is not against the TOS. Hate speech is against the TOS, but is another issue.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for answering that for me, maybe I will get some sleep tonight because i wont have to wonder if I'm breaking the rules

 

[Guest]

I started this game when i was 13, this was in beta. I used to tell people i was 20 because i thought if they knew my age they would not talk to me. They never knew a difference.

I remember a debate a few years ago on this subject saying that some kids act more like adults in this game than adults do. and that is true. i knew someone who for a fact was 33 and he ran around like an idiot, scamming people and creating rucus in peaceful houses.

now i am 18 and i still feel that if a kid is playing this game, they can handle talk and actions made by adults. if they are 8, then maybe i would wonder where their parents were. but kids are getting online younger and younger now so you have to think about that too.

I think its fine to have kids in game until they act like idiots.

 

[imported_Phoenix_Rising]

Unfortunately, most of our issues in TSO have already been fixed in Second Life. They have an age verification system, where you can set your property to only allow people in who have verified their age on their account info with a valid ID or by some official means. They can also set their property to "mature." I think that would be beneficial to TSO, possibly. I'm lax on the whole issue anyway.

 

[Guest]

<blockquote><hr>

Unfortunately, most of our issues in TSO have already been fixed in Second Life. They have an age verification system, where you can set your property to only allow people in who have verified their age on their account info with a valid ID or by some official means. They can also set their property to "mature." I think that would be beneficial to TSO, possibly. I'm lax on the whole issue anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like the idea in theory, but when I think about how many property bios say "Mature Themes", "Adults Only", "Turn On Your Filters", etc, I'd wonder how many would utilize this feature. Would it get to the point where more properties ban teenagers than accept them?

In Second Life it makes more sense because it is really SUPPOSED to be an "adult" game. TSO is not intended to be, but it is the players that make it so.

If it could be worked out in a way that isn't too limiting to teenaged players, I'd be all for it, but I'm not going to support something that morphs this "T" rated game into an "M" game with "T" sections.

 

[imported_Phoenix_Rising]

<blockquote><hr>

I like the idea in theory, but when I think about how many property bios say "Mature Themes", "Adults Only", "Turn On Your Filters", etc, I'd wonder how many would utilize this feature. Would it get to the point where more properties ban teenagers than accept them?

In Second Life it makes more sense because it is really SUPPOSED to be an "adult" game. TSO is not intended to be, but it is the players that make it so.

If it could be worked out in a way that isn't too limiting to teenaged players, I'd be all for it, but I'm not going to support something that morphs this "T" rated game into an "M" game with "T" sections.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. Essentially, if a minor makes their way to TSO, they're going to play how they see fit regardless of who boots and bans them. That's nature. If they aren't being exposed to something controversial on TSO, then they'll see something on a website instead. It's really their RL gaurdian's job to protect/monitor them, and we shouldn't be given that burden in my opinion.

 

[Guest]

I think this question will become more important now that the game is "free".
Kids without access to credit cards will play more and more.
I suspect a great deal of the new free players are kids (based on hanging out with them a while).

I'm not taking on responsibility for someone elses kids.

 

[Guest]

But when you create a sim isn't the profanity filter automatically on?

 

[Guest]

<blockquote><hr>

But when you create a sim isn't the profanity filter automatically on?

[/ QUOTE ]Profanity has nothing to do with it. Kids under 13 should not be in TSO, period. No exception, no excuse.

It's a shame that some poor parents treat a computer as a childminder, shirking their responsibilities and then blaming someone else when things go wrong when it's their fault for not monitoring their child's internet access in the first place.

It annoys me how the blame is always put on 'internet stuff'. I phoned in a radio show just yesterday when some idiot was going on about "the dangers of online stuff'... he didn't have much to say when I reminded him it was the parents responsibility in these matters, not the fault of the internet, ISP or game companies when their little darlings end up watching inappropriate material on the computer.

 

[imported_DutchAmerica]

I believe according to the ToS, parents have to sign something for EA to allow them to play and then the kids are not allowed to disclose their ages in game?

I don't really have a problem with kids playing the game though. Some of my 'younger' friends have been the source of hours of laughter and fun.

My "Sim" dad was too cool for words and he was a youngerster.

 

[imported_Armonia]

My grandaughter who is 11 always says she is older when she signs up for game accounts. She finds out what the age limit is and she makes herself that age in her personal information. He sister does the same thing and she is 8. So as far as parents having to sign something, when they lie who would know the difference. I don't agree with them doing this but it is something that they and all their friends do so how can you control that?

 

[imported_Shirl1211]

<blockquote><hr>

Didn't I remember reading that 13 was supposed to be the minimum age? Been meeting *alot* of younger kids since the free accounts have come out.....kids without the parental controls, and I'm just wondering what your personal policy is for them...do you turn them in for ToS violation as soon as you find out they are under 13, or do you only do it if you know they are under 13 and they are also a general nuisance or pain in the butt, or a griefer of some kind. I'm kind of on the moral fence I guess you could say......some properties have 'adult atmosphere' on their bios and I dont' think that's a suitable place for a kid under 13, or even a young teenager to be, but there's nothing you can do about the young teenagers since they are not actually doing anything wrong by being around. Anyway, what's your policy when you come across one that admits they are younger than they are supposed to be in order to play?

[/ QUOTE ]


I've notice a large number of youngsters as well. Whether they are over 13 or not
I don't know but alot of times at my store it gets boring so I teach there and a couple of times I had to stop and ask them to leave because they would interupt the Qing up by trying to interact with the student. I explain this and when they do it again the very next attempt it makes me wonder if they are younger then 13 because a 13 year old can comprehend something like this being explained to them so if I had to take a guess and being a retired educater i'd say thier either 8-12 or disfuntional. lol

 

[Guest]

I dont really have a problem with kids playing the game. I try to help them when I can and if I know they are in my house I try to keep it to a child level.

Sims is a great game for any child. All of my children love the game. But I will only allow them to play pc sims. Any of you parents have kids that play club penguin? Well if you notice the same things are goin on there. I had 1 girl approach my 10 year old son wanting to be his girlfriend. Theres also webkins. That is just as bad.

All we can do is keep an eye out. Our children are going to go places they are not allowed whether they are home, at a friends house or school. We cant stop them from coming into tso. They sign up and say they are older. How does ea or anyone else know the difference. Sure we can probably stop them at home but that is all we can do. Maybe we should dedicate a city to them, one that isnt too busy. Everyone make a different type of house and have in the bio " For Children Only " I know that sounds corny but who knows. The children might flock there.

My children have been playin pc sims forever, since they were knee high to a grasshopper so to speak. I see they really enjoy it.

Children are goin to hear bad words in public. My 10 year old knows them all. He never got them from internet or from home. Some of the things he comes up with are even beyond tso. He goes on the internet and searches for sex sites. I know this cause I look at the history. I have it filtered out so he cant see these sites. Some parents dont care what their kids see. I have noticed by some of the friends my son has. I have a house in dg and am willing to use it for younger players. Anyone with me??

 

[Guest]

People that act like brats in the game annoy me, whether they are actual kids or adults who are just brats. I find that chronological age isn't always the determining factor. This game didn't exist when I was in my teen years, but I think I probably would have been okay in my teens.

I am far from a kid, nor am I a prude, but I find the conversation at "adult" lots to be a lot more annoying than kids acting like kids. Truthfully, I doubt that many actual adults hang out at these places. I think it's all kids that think that this is the way adults talk. Come on people, this game is rated "T," it's not sufficient or appropriate to think that you're safe in hiding behind a lot description of "adult."

I guess my opinion is that if I would have never guessed your age unless you told me, then that's fine (assuming of course that you have your parents' approval and supervision). I enjoy playing with people (of any age) who can conduct themselves in a socially responsible manner.

 

[Guest]

Wow this is a tough one. I have run into 1 (yes ONE) player in the 5 years I have been on who had the parental settings on. I have seen children under 13 (I have been told by a few that they were under 13.... lied and said they were over 13) who i did not report because even though they were under 13, they were very respectful and played the game and truely enjoyed it. EA cannot stop children who lie and say they are older. There is no way. I could sit here and tell you all that I am a 21 year old woman which in reality I am a 33 year old male. How would you know the difference?

It all starts at home. If I had a child, I would not let them near TSO until they were at least 16. Is there are children in this game under 13, the fault lies with the parents. Everyone is correct that this is not our issue to police but at the same time it doesn't make it right for us to turn the other cheek.

 

[imported_DutchAmerica]

<blockquote><hr>

If I had a child, I would not let them near TSO until they were at least 16.

[/ QUOTE ]

My son has been involved with online games longer than I can remember.
I have always kept a close eye on everything and everyone he has come in contact with and how he conducts himself. I also keep a watchful eye out though for pervs.

As for TSO, it's been very much of a 'family' oriented game for me. Family, friends and my kids have all been heavily into playing. I know many others who also have cousins, spouses, brothers, sisters, children and such that have played it.

I think that has a lot to do with what was so appealing about TSO besides hanging out and meeting new people.

We should start a thread...."How to spot 13 and under players...." LOL There are some sure fire signs.

 

[Guest]

LMAO... yeah i'll start the list off...

1. Text talking. All you parents know what I am talking about. Instead of spelling out words, they use abbreviations for EVERYTHING!!!!

 

[Guest]

You are very mature for your age. Very helpful here on the boards and a pleasure to be around in game.

 

[Guest]

My two cents:
As a parent of three teenaged girls... we have certain rules when it comes to computer time.
They each only get one hour/day on school days...
The computer is in the kitchen on a desk in the middle of everything.
If I ask to see their myspace page (older two in highschool) they have to bring it up immediately w/o having time to "tweak" it for me.
They are password protected pages... invite only.. and only if they know the person in real life.. no strangers (16 yr old "Johnny" could actually be 45 yr old "pedophile")

For the parents that allow comptures in kids' rooms and no supervision of what they are doing..... what do you expect? They will explore and do things you wouldnt approve of. Heck.. I cant watch my kids 24/7... but I dang well will do my best to guide them in the right direction. Letting kids have full access online in their rooms away from parents' eyes... spells out trouble imo.

I met many an underaged kid when I played tso.. many. And a lot of them ended up in heartbreak and dissolusionment when their "gf/bf or sim husband/wife" turned out to be a scammer who go their password and stole all their stuff... or at the very least... they found out their gf was actually a guy roleplaying and it freaked them out. This stuff must still be going on...all the time. The only time I let my kids play tso was when I had to real life green or check on dinner. Even then.. I told the room.. my kid is babysitting my sim.. behave your damned selves!

Unless there is a more positive way of making sure parents really approve of their playing.. kids will continue to keep signing on as older or faking parental permission.

I play POTCO (Pirates of the Carribean Online) now. You think tso is strict.. holy cow... Disney is uber strict. In game.. there is no personal info allowed to be shared at any time...ever. They ban for that stuff all the time.

 

[Guest]

<blockquote><hr>

I don't know. I don't think they should be allowed to play, but at the same time I am not going to take the time to file a report if I come across a younger kid in game. Maybe I have a soft spot for them. Maybe I'm just biased because I'm still young-ish myself, just coming up to my 17th birthday. I really doubt it though because 10/11/12 year olds tend to be a nuisance.

I'm just too lazy to report something that isn't really going to make a huge difference to the game.

My sister is 12. She is not mature enough to handle TSO. I do not know many 12 year olds who are. Even most 13 and 14 year olds are not, in my honest opinion.

I can't really think of a way for somebody to prove that they are either 13+ or have the consent of a parent other than having to insert a credit card number purely for verification purposes. Even then, most 10/11/12 year olds are crafty enough to borrow mommy and daddys card.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was kinda my point....the kid that I saw that prompted this post was 10. Acted very much 10, said he was 10, the whole bit so it wasn't just a matter of a mature person coming in and saying they were 12, but not really causing probs. This particular lot is 'adult themed' and yes Mattel we do have to be teen and adult friendly, but there's a big difference between what is appropriate for a 13 y/o to be around an what is appropriate for a 10 year old to be around. As far as monitoring language around 13+ I'm kinda like one of the other posters, I'm not their parent and I don't have a problem cussing around them, unless the conversation just gets TOO vile or graphic, but I have a problem with that for myself as well as them.....I just don't want to see that kind of crap in open chat, take it to PM once it gets past 'first base' if it must go there at all. I dunno the whole thing is just confusing....I don't wanna be guilty of being 'report-happy' but nor do I want all these 10, 11 and 12 year olds coming in on free accounts and running amuck causing all kinds of disturbances and griefing

 

[Guest]

Here's my stance:

If they have enough wit to be able to get a account (Free or otherwise) and are smart enough to NOT get banned from the game for being stupid, that's as good as 13 or 31 to me.

Besides, Age isn't a factor for maturity. I'm unfortunate to know a 27-year old with the general maturity of what a 8-year old processes. Thus, I'd allow a 2-year-old to play, if they were mature and smart enough. And, honestly, %99 of "naughty" houses mention they're naughty, and most children would simply giggle, if they weren't ready for that.

 

[imported_Qute Pi]

wtg mom! We need more parents like you!

 

[Guest]

<blockquote><hr>

You think tso is strict.. holy cow... Disney is uber strict. In game.. there is no personal info allowed to be shared at any time...ever. They ban for that stuff all the time.

[/ QUOTE ]

True that, its the same in Toontown.

I dont care how old anyone is as long as they know how to act in public. I have never felt that its my responisbilty to raise other peoples kids, however over the years I've met some great kids in TSO and enjoyed watching them grow up.

 

[Guest]

You are so right Nikki. I have had friends in the past who were very young but they were very nice. I took them under my wing, showed them how to play the game... really would like to think I had a positive influence on them. I took every precaution I could... talked to the parents online... made sure they knew I was an ok person. I became like a big brother to them over the internet. The sad thing is when kids are that young, they are also very trusting. When the first kid told me how old she was, I made sure to right away talk with a parent over voice chat. This way they knew who I was by voice and it was easier than just someone typing.

I still watch out for kids when they pop up in the game just to help protect them. I would hate to know something bad happened to some kid I know in game.

 

[Paula777]

***
It's way overrated in my opinion...
I'm sure someone out there has proven overprotecting can just be as harmful.

By the age of 12 I've seen all kinds of movies / mom didn't check games we bought / done most drugs by 14 and so on .. I bet almost all of us can say the same.. and we turned out alright, didn't we?!

Well I quit horror movies right then and there.. that's all

 

[Guest]

i think it is a shame that parents are not more aware of what their kids are doing. I am admittedly a naughty heifer but even i have cringed occasionally at some things that get said in chat lol. I would hate to think that any kid would get exposed to that kind of talk. my daughter is ten and she gets on every once in a while when my sister is on. Sis always lets everyone know she is young and calls me if room chat is getting too vulgar. But the thing is, i always KNOW what she is doing online.

 

[imported_Founder]

A lot of you mentioned that its MATURITY that counts more than the age. Well, I believe I'm still immature at 27 years old, playing EAL.

So, I guess the question is: Would you rather play EAL with immature 27-year old or very mature 12 year old?

Now I know that a lot players are concerned from a legal point of you, so just don't make any deals with 12 year olds or whoever else.

 

[Guest]

I think the big debate is actual age. There are things said and done in game that a 12 year old should not read or see. There will never be a way for EA to combat this issue. If you think there's an underaged person in the house, IM the owner and give them a heads up.

 

[Guest]

<blockquote><hr>

A lot of you mentioned that its MATURITY that counts more than the age. Well, I believe I'm still immature at 27 years old, playing EAL.

So, I guess the question is: Would you rather play EAL with immature 27-year old or very mature 12 year old?

Now I know that a lot players are concerned from a legal point of you, so just don't make any deals with 12 year olds or whoever else.

[/ QUOTE ]This is actually a really good point: You (general) have absolutely NO idea who is on the other side of the screen playing that sim you are flirting with, talking dirty to, or engaging in other questionable activities with. Someone here once gave a piece of sage advice: Unless you are 100% certain who the other people are, you shouldn't say or do anything in the game that you wouldn't do if your mother or children were watching.

 

[Guest]

I've met and "adopted" some great kids in the game as well. However, if Im running an adult theme lot and find out that a certain sim is underage I will ban him from my lot before he even gets there. I dont see anything wrong with this method because If I owned a bar in RL , no one would fault me for not letting a child enter. The heads up to other owners is something I have done in the past as well.

 

[Guest]

Well it helps when it's a adult atmosphere to just say in the house bio any kids under 15, 18, etc cant come in. If they do come in and find proof there under the age they just will get booted and banned from the house. I've seen a lot of that going on mainly love houses and entertainment houses.

 

[Guest]

Absolutely. Doing our little part of saving those kids and their parents many hours of therapy and lots of money paying for said therapy. It is what it is. Kids are smart these days and know how to work around an age restriction. They know from doing it elsewhere on other web pages. "Johnny is 9 but according to his profile he's 26!". This is not uncommon. They ask for your age and birthdate but anyone with basic math can figure our if you put 32 years old you were born in 1975 (I use this example so I can avoid using simple math. I am 32 and was born in 1975... lol). Even the credit card being verified wouldn't work because how many 13 year olds do you know that have credit cards? lol

 

[Guest]

Anyway the way I solve the problem is by the maturity level. I mean it's easy to tell if there under age by there maturity. I don't really care if there under age as long as there mature -- but I'm just guess because I grow up with parents that were not strict, but I still know if the environment is not appropriate for them and that generally when I boot them out.

 

[Guest]

You are right... where children are involved...everyone should do their part to protect them if they can.

 

[Zsazsa Zee]

Hmmm.....this is a tough one for me.
I can usually tell when a player is young. ( not all the time I'm sure )
A few years back I had a young friend who got into a "sim-relationship" with a 40 year old woman and another sim-friend who was in a sim-relationship with a very young girl. I don't know exactly what transpired between them but it was a romantic sim-relationship, and therefore, inappropriate in my opinion. Grown people were having "romantic themes" with minors.
I don't want to limit the age of players...but ...but.... what can we do about the above mentioned situations?
The young players lied about their age but weren't the adults still breaking the law?

(REAL LIFE LAW )

 

[imported_MollyG]

If the kids that wanted to play were a bit more enlightened about this it would be so much better. I was playing with a kid the other day and right in her bio it said that she was 9. Since so many houses are "mature" conversation spots it seemed highly inappropriate. It also further stated in her bio that her parents watch out for her in the game. Well, that day they didn't. The conversation in the house was definitely PG13 if not R and yet she was still there playing.

 

[imported_Founder]

Also, lets remember one thing here: even though EAL servers are on American soil, many players are not from US, which means they have to follow their country's rules and regulations as well. In Canada, age of consent is 13, so if two canadian-controlled sims get together where one of them is 13 and the other other is 50 and both of them are canadian, then they follow the rules of their country and if they get romantically involved, as Katheryne pointed out, then there is nothing that can be done by anyone, because nothing on TOS that mentions this(or does it?)

 

[Guest]

<blockquote><hr>

I believe according to the ToS, parents have to sign something for EA to allow them to play and then the kids are not allowed to disclose their ages in game?

[/ QUOTE ]

Originally, anyone younger that 13 had to have a parent or guardian sign and consent form that EA recorded. If someone stated in-game they were under 13, they could be reported for such and EA would investigate whether they had record of a consent form. Parental Controls were optional.

I do not know if the current ToS or UA include this.

 

[Guest]

Might be good to do this if we see someone who is clearly under the age of 13. That would work in the case mentioned above (youngin' at a mature house). I would have messaged that sim and asked them to leave because it was not a house for them. But, that is just me.

 

[imported_DutchAmerica]

<blockquote><hr>

LMAO... yeah i'll start the list off...

1. Text talking. All you parents know what I am talking about. Instead of spelling out words, they use abbreviations for EVERYTHING!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]


LMAO


well I guess us parents gotta suck it up on that one because one sure fire way of knowing someone is a parent of a 'young person' is that we 'try' to use 'their' lingo and do a pretty bad job of it usually.


(And kids around today are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. Most teens pretty much get bored of all the 'crap' talking and go do their own things. It's us adults that generally sit around 'seething' about how disgusting it is. LOL ...you guys know it's true!)

 

[Guest]

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Didn't I remember reading that 13 was supposed to be the minimum age? Been meeting *alot* of younger kids since the free accounts have come out.....kids without the parental controls, and I'm just wondering what your personal policy is for them...do you turn them in for ToS violation as soon as you find out they are under 13, or do you only do it if you know they are under 13 and they are also a general nuisance or pain in the butt, or a griefer of some kind. I'm kind of on the moral fence I guess you could say......some properties have 'adult atmosphere' on their bios and I dont' think that's a suitable place for a kid under 13, or even a young teenager to be, but there's nothing you can do about the young teenagers since they are not actually doing anything wrong by being around. Anyway, what's your policy when you come across one that admits they are younger than they are supposed to be in order to play?

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Personally, I think censoring kids in any way is anti constructive. If adults just give them the freedom to explore their interests, they tend to work out whats right and wrong and what they like and dislike. I'd say in this issue, its up to their parents whether or not they play, but I was always very insulted when I was 16 and couldn't enter a house because I wasn't over 18.

This is a little off topic but it relates to the issue of children and censorship;

My little sister is 9 and she's in the 3rd grade. A few weeks ago one of her classmates and a few other little girls of the same age were caught drawing something my sister is too embarassed to say, but she did tell me it was private parts and both men and women. The little girl who was caught doing this was sent to therapy and is no longer allowed to draw in school.

I think the reason she was drawing things like that in the first place was probably that she had seen or heard something about it, asked her parents, and they made it seem like some horrible sin to ask about sex. Censorship just creates a bizarre fascination with things that kids would otherwise brush over and move on to other interests.

I can understand why we would want to keep impressionable youths away from situations like houses with a love category dedicated to sexual talk, but I really don't think children should be punished for adults "naughty" behavior. Maybe we as adults should stop for a moment to think before we talk about things like that in such an open forum.

And of course, it also depends on a home owners preferences. I was recently in a house where a home owner asked a friend and I to end a discussion or take it to PM because it was getting a little out of hand for room discussion, and I apologized and quickly changed the topic. Home owners don't have to let things like that go on. They can give anyone disrespecting their home and its rules the boot.