Page:

Hullo and welcome

lepperochan
Craic-Dealer
Guardian of Shadows
Palestine 67awards
Joined 1st Apr 2011
Forum Posts: 14449

Reality is, there's an influx of very young persons. I dont know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. on the one hand, we are a community largely made up of adults.

it's no secret we've had a fair amount of creeps in the past, I guess we must take for granted there are some


on the other hand, this place/ community is amongst other things a refuge.


I wonder, if anyone has any suggestions which could help protect our much younger patrons ,


edit, thread is obviously open to suggestions from said younger patrons

EdibleWords
Tyrant of Words
8awards
Joined 7th Jan 2018
Forum Posts: 2993

I’m just a mom, as you know, happy to see this talk. None of my young poets are putting up materials yet, but it’s just a matter of time before one finds an interest. I will be reading along to see how things shape up.💖😎👍

Importantly, I feel like the open materials I see around here are great. Youth have the same obligations on this playground as downtown. So it’s not alllllll on you.

poet Anonymous

<< post removed >>
Magdalena
Spartalena
Tyrant of Words
Wales 62awards
Joined 21st Apr 2012
Forum Posts: 2993

Hey Lep. Glad you posted this. Hopefully it grabs the Webmiss' attention.

If we could have a pinned thread for the younger members/minors with guidelines and to introduce themselves so we know who they are and can look out for them on here, they can also post any concerns they have on there.

I know the internet is more policed these days because of grooming and predators who like their prey young. Also everything Boybrains has said.

If they have to give their date of birth when joining, that could come with t&c's if they are a minor which they have to agree to before they join maybe?

Valeriyabeyond
Dhyana
Dangerous Mind
3awards
Joined 3rd May 2020
Forum Posts: 2668

This site attracts the younger poets for several reasons,  which couldn't be anymore opposite,  than they happen
to be.
I do have a few,  3-4 years experience working directly wirh communicating,  and identifying younger aged poets.

First attraction, is the opening page,
and the childlike,  green book worm
icon
It acts as a lure ,followed by a brief description,  of the site
It seems,  the offer to come join,  share your poetry with us  is overlooked, because of the (adult rated poetry,)  that is available to read (with a warning)

When you warn or alert  a child or young person to the potential taboo something that  could be considered sexual in nature
They will open it,  if not then,  they WILL come back to read

A thread for young people will not work.
It will not be utilized,  they are here because they want to fit in they are looking to fill a gap within
They most certainly will not tell a guardian if something were to happen with a perp.
That would be ratting on themselves which is seen as weakness  
To suggest that,  will only make them hide further in the dark

I don't know if there are child privacy notices or guidelines posted anywhere on this site
This site I believe is responsible to post guidelines or a notice about protecting children because of the adult content
It sounds like a huge legal issue but it's not it is a statement telling that this site does or does not share or store info on minors under 16 or under 13
Don't quote me please

I would like to suggest an open door GROUP we need a catchy name that will speak to them " The Stairwell" as an example
Within the group things like personal info using only pen names How to police yourself because you should be proud of who you are. You have nothing to hide we do not judge BUT we do not tolerate either.   Poetry discussion
No ages given that is part of their anonymity to suggest they tell will prompt a lie under 18 or "teen" " minor" any one of these labels will help them to identify with the situation they have put themselves in and hopefully rally better choices within themselves
Sorry I could go on and on I will spare you all thanks Much Love V

Viddax
Lord Viddax
Guardian of Shadows
United Kingdom 31awards
Joined 10th Oct 2009
Forum Posts: 6672

I for one would like to hear more of your thoughts Valeriya. The Gods know I can ramble on for ages with a text wall of death so have no fear about doing that!

Is there an actual problem(s) with younger people visiting and staying on DU?
- Or is it just a case of young blood being noticed, causing a sudden surge of concern.

DU has no current age policy. There is almost an unspoken rule on age and maturity etc., but nothing set in stone. That is some of the beauty of DU: regardless of age, intelligence, or artistic skill, etc., all are welcomed without having to fill certain criteria.
- My worry is that by introducing an age requirement will lead to a few splinter problems.
Such as but not limited to: fake ages, losing out on potential long term users, threads dedicated to immature behaviour in spite, more criteria being introduced that is not necessary.

When I joined I was not 18. DU gave me a place on the internet that I could comfortably belong to; it filled the hole of home that I was looking for. Had it been that I would have been excluded, rather than welcomed without judgement or requirement, I am not sure I would have waited to later join. Or I may have joined but with a bad taste; having to jump through hoops rather than fly freely to where I want to roost.

Plus there is always the thing that the young are not always innocent or good; some are as corrupted, twisted and perverse as possible, and some have more backbone to them than many adults so do not need help or protection. Age is sometimes, just a number.

Ahavati
Tyrant of Words
United States 116awards
Joined 11th Apr 2015
Forum Posts: 14281

Viddax said:[ . . . ]
Plus there is always the thing that the young are not always innocent or good; some are as corrupted, twisted and perverse as possible, and some have more backbone to them than many adults so do not need help or protection. Age is sometimes, just a number.


Bravo, Viddax.

Magdalena
Spartalena
Tyrant of Words
Wales 62awards
Joined 21st Apr 2012
Forum Posts: 2993

Viddax said:

Plus there is always the thing that the young are not always innocent or good; some are as corrupted, twisted and perverse as possible, and some have more backbone to them than many adults so do not need help or protection. Age is sometimes, just a number.


Some is not all and even if putting something in place that protects one young vulnerable person, then it has my vote/support. Not everyone is the same or reacts the same to something not even the young. I am a mother of three (who are now adults) and a grandmother of five and I wouldn't like to think that they could wander into a site that has the kind of content this site does and not be shielded at all.  

Valeriyabeyond
Dhyana
Dangerous Mind
3awards
Joined 3rd May 2020
Forum Posts: 2668

Viddax said:I for one would like to hear more of your thoughts Valeriya. The Gods know I can ramble on for ages with a text wall of death so have no fear about doing that!

Is there an actual problem(s) with younger people visiting and staying on DU?
- Or is it just a case of young blood being noticed, causing a sudden surge of concern.

DU has no current age policy. There is almost an unspoken rule on age and maturity etc., but nothing set in stone. That is some of the beauty of DU: regardless of age, intelligence, or artistic skill, etc., all are welcomed without having to fill certain criteria.
- My worry is that by introducing an age requirement will lead to a few splinter problems.
Such as but not limited to: fake ages, losing out on potential long term users, threads dedicated to immature behaviour in spite, more criteria being introduced that is not necessary.

When I joined I was not 18. DU gave me a place on the internet that I could comfortably belong to; it filled the hole of home that I was looking for. Had it been that I would have been excluded, rather than welcomed without judgement or requirement, I am not sure I would have waited to later join. Or I may have joined but with a bad taste; having to jump through hoops rather than fly freely to where I want to roost.

Plus there is always the thing that the young are not always innocent or good; some are as corrupted, twisted and perverse as possible, and some have more backbone to them than many adults so do not need help or protection. Age is sometimes, just a number.



Hey Viddax
For the other commenters there is a privacy Policy in place that states age 16 need Parental Consent
It's not hidden it is there in black and white
It is not in DU's interest to protect the minor if they should enter the site
It is in their interest however to protect themselves from minors who may enter the site
They have protected themselves in their Policy and with their Warning on Adult Content which is not only erotica it could be other sensitive material .An example, I posted a poem  which I llabeled Extreme Adult Content because I felt the poem could be a trigger for some  and it was very explicit in content because it dealt with attempted murder and how I dealt with my husband attempting to kill me
The pistal whipping was graphic and my out of body experience was graphic
It's not always about erotica as some may think
To be made aware that there may be minors on site which we have all been made aware of now by the user claiming to be 13 it is our responsibility to not welcome them in that would be condoning the violation and be going directly against  DU Policy
It is the responsibility of admin to block the user
That doesn't mean they won't be back they will maybe next time they will be wiser in their attempt
Minors will come on site they will choosea pseudonym that fits the image the want to give on site they will mingle
some will be suspected some will not
I suggested earlier that a group specifically young adults could be formed where they could associate with their non adult peers this is always an option
As members on this site it is up to us to review our conscious beliefs our motives and act upon them
For me that is to stop any kind of victimization, predatory behavior, or bullying regardless of the age
As long as shields are up for Adult Content which they are then we should carry on as before
This is not a site specific for pornography nor does it provide only  Adult Content
The requirements and warnings to  those who visit the site are in place and legally sound

lepperochan
Craic-Dealer
Guardian of Shadows
Palestine 67awards
Joined 1st Apr 2011
Forum Posts: 14449

Alright, primarily the thread was started to see if anyone had any suggestions which may help to help protect our younger members from creeps n predators

wasn't necessarily about what DU is legally culpable for,  it was more about how we as a community might be able to help. so, that in mind, if anyone has any suggestions or ideas please do share

thanks much







Valeriyabeyond
Dhyana
Dangerous Mind
3awards
Joined 3rd May 2020
Forum Posts: 2668

lepperochan said:Alright, primarily the thread was started to see if anyone had any suggestions which may help to help protect our younger members from creeps n predators

wasn't necessarily about what DU is legally culpable for,  it was more about how we as a community might be able to help. so, that in mind, if anyone has any suggestions or ideas please do share

thanks much









I did shared my idea if admin is on board I will start the group

It worked before on another site only these users were 10-12 it was a sit for young people but it needed a spot for those who were at risk
Which I led  I have experience with at risk youth through a program called PALS

Viddax
Lord Viddax
Guardian of Shadows
United Kingdom 31awards
Joined 10th Oct 2009
Forum Posts: 6672

Valeriyabeyond said:


I did shared my idea if admin is on board I will start the group

It worked before on another site only these users were 10-12 it was a sit for young people but it needed a spot for those who were at risk
Which I led  I have experience with at risk youth through a program called PALS


Not trying to belittle your efforts, but it is not a guarantee that younger members join. It is all fine and dandy having a free lemonade and water stand in the desert but not much point if the dehydrated keep passing by!

Hopefully you will understand that with your idea some trust and evidence will be required for the Webmistress/Moderators. I am somewhat certain that you will not create the group for perverse ends, but it is the type of thing that needs checks and balances.

Perhaps your idea could fit into the 'Welcome Party Group'?

Valeriyabeyond
Dhyana
Dangerous Mind
3awards
Joined 3rd May 2020
Forum Posts: 2668

Viddax said:

Not trying to belittle your efforts, but it is not a guarantee that younger members join. It is all fine and dandy having a free lemonade and water stand in the desert but not much point if the dehydrated keep passing by!

Hopefully you will understand that with your idea some trust and evidence will be required for the Webmistress/Moderators. I am somewhat certain that you will not create the group for perverse ends, but it is the type of thing that needs checks and balances.

Perhaps your idea could fit into the 'Welcome Party Group'?
.

Nah dude I'm good I dont need to chase this thing this virtual monster Just an idea
It would be in DU interest to NOT cater to the younger ones safer all the way around

lepperochan
Craic-Dealer
Guardian of Shadows
Palestine 67awards
Joined 1st Apr 2011
Forum Posts: 14449

Hullo

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions both here and on the This website thread

so, for the sake of clarity, thread was posted after I looked into a couple of profiles, most likely very young and in some cases new members

first thoughts were 'holy fuck, how are we going to protect them'  which, on reflection was a bit the sky is falling down tyoe thing


I think, at the end of the day, the cotton wool and pitchforks would be a bit counter productive. ots been noted that we, as a community do alright.

probably because we all have some kind of friendships and associations just like any community.

on the whole I think it provides us a good network and, to be fair, theres a decent team of moderators

p'raps the ticket is more of the same, which could most probably render this thread kinda moot .

that said, i think theres no harm to highlight these topics now and again.

may your gods be with you




Page:
Go to: