Does anyone think we should have an age restriction on the forums?

Manhunter71 · 03-01-2005, 03:52 PM

Given the recent addition of ... er... younger people to our forums - I was just wondering if anybody here think we should have an age restiction policy?

I know it's very hard to implement but due to age problems I feel some people's recent posts have been bordering on ...... SPAM

I would just like to add that I am not AGEIST

SakSquash · 03-01-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manhunter71

Given the recent addition of ... er... younger people to our forums - I was just wondering if anybody here think we should have an age restiction policy?

I know it's very hard to implement but due to age problems I feel some people's recent posts have been bordering on ...... SPAM

I would just like to add that I am not AGEIST

Coughcoughvolcaniccoughcough

Anyway, I'd have to say no. While we may get a few attention starved gerber babies in here, banning them all would mean losing great members like DemonFox, and to me it's just not worth it. Plus, they could just lie about their age to get in.

Intrepid Homoludens · 03-01-2005, 04:04 PM

They could easily lie about their age, but their behaviour gives them away far too readily.

It's cakewalk for a grownup to act like a kid, but when a kid tries to act like a grownup it's not only particularly cute........it's also too damn obvious.

SoccerDude28 · 03-01-2005, 04:07 PM

How about we tag the main page of the website with a big M FOR MATURE. That will keep the little buggers away.

Manhunter71 · 03-01-2005, 04:11 PM

I suppose you are both right, but certain people's dumb, spam-like posts are really starting to annoy me

Obviusly I won't name names but I think you all know who I'm talking about?!?

I wouldn't normally bring this up but He does interrupt ongoing conversations with topics like " any one want to chat - I'm bored) - WTF???

Intrepid Homoludens · 03-01-2005, 04:12 PM

How a big sign saying

Do not even think of joining
this community until you've
cleaned up your room,
do you hear?!!

artwking4 · 03-01-2005, 04:13 PM

I don't know, I voted Other (not a freedom of speech issue - there is responsiblity involved, too). There are younger very mature members around here who contribute a lot to the forum. As it is, I'm sure the moderators can figure out which members are wearing out their welcome and deal with them appropriately.

Intrepid Homoludens · 03-01-2005, 04:15 PM

Yes, but unfortunately we can't spank them.

Manhunter71 · 03-01-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

Yes, but unfortunately we can't spank them.

Although some of us would like to

DustCropper · 03-01-2005, 04:26 PM

If someone's posts are malicious and damaging to the community, then of course they should be banned. But no one should be excluded based only on their age.

***fov*** · 03-01-2005, 04:30 PM

I would hesitate to suggest something like an age restriction, simply because younger people can be productive members of the community, too. Who decides how young is too young? How old were many of us when we started playing adventure games? Sure, we may not have been great conversationalists at the time... but that's not (necessarily) the focus of this site, and there are plenty of articulate "younger" people among our ranks, too. Age should not determine someone's inclusion in a community -- their contributions should.

People who don't mesh with the community tend not to stick around. On the flip side, I'm sure there are plenty of lurkers who would love to post here but are intimidated by the general tone of our posts. Which doesn't mean we should change who we are -- but we should remember that a community is not only comprised of its most vocal members.

Besides, although the occasional out of place post can be annoying (for me too, believe me! Or have you all forgotten that I poop on logs?), it's not as if the forums have become overrun with them. Not yet, anyway.

-emily

artwking4 · 03-01-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fov

Or have you all forgotten that I poop on logs?

That one still cracks me up!

I almost wish that the spammer said that to me so I could put it in my signature or member title. Almost.

Manhunter71 · 03-01-2005, 04:37 PM

Oh no!! Exactly what I didnt want!!!

Now everyone's going to think I'm a bigot!!!

I just had problems with the spam-like, off-topic parts of certain people's posts ( well, one person actually) and became worried that the whole forums would eventually be overrun by 10 yr olds

ing everyone in sight

Manhunter71 · 03-01-2005, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fov

Or have you all forgotten that I poop on logs?), it's not as if the forums have become overrun with them. Not yet, anyway.

-emily

Heehee

Sorry fovily, but I think this may have been a bit early for me ... but do you really POOP on logs

***fov*** · 03-01-2005, 04:47 PM

Well, it was written in black and white on the internet, so it MUST be true.

It was only a few weeks ago. I deleted it relatively quickly. Figured there was no reason to broadcast THAT particular bit of personal information to the world...

I understand the concern, I just don't think it's a problem of global proportions quite yet. And lest anyone thinks we mods just sit around and look cute* all day... we ARE all over this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

How a big sign saying

Do not even think of joining
this community until you've
cleaned up your room,
do you hear?!!

If that were a requirement, I would have been banned long ago.

-emily

*not too hard - we're some fine looking mods!

Manhunter71 · 03-01-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fov

Well, it was written in black and white on the internet, so it MUST be true.

It was only a few weeks ago. I deleted it relatively quickly. Figured there was no reason to broadcast THAT particular bit of personal information to the world...

I understand the concern, I just don't think it's a problem of global proportions quite yet. And lest anyone thinks we mods just sit around and look cute* all day... we ARE all over this.

If that were a requirement, I would have been banned long ago.

-emily

*not too hard - we're some fine looking mods!

I really didnt want this to come across as a one-man war against kids - I do know what it's like to be that age and have opinions, but I knew when and when not to express the correct one!

EasilyConfused · 03-01-2005, 05:06 PM

No age restriction, I think, for all the reasons mentioned: 1) it's too hard to enforce; 2) it's arbitrary . . . people don't all become mature at the same rate (coughcough look at the evidence on the forum

); 3) if we're trying to screen out drivel, we'd have to screen ourselves.

Manhunter71 · 03-01-2005, 05:16 PM

In retrospect, I really don't believe in restricting people according to age, but I do think we should keep a closer eye on the people who are posting here!

After all, some people do mature quicker than others

Maquisard · 03-01-2005, 05:42 PM

Restricting kids from coming to these forums would make no sense. If you read the "Now hiring" article, it mentions how AG wants to expand into covering kids' adventure games. If anything, kids coming to these forums should be protected from certain topics which discuss adult themes. (I wish I was protected from seeing Temporary Scars' avatar! :eek: ) So maybe there should be an age inquiry upon registration, and a certain mod-imposed limit to their movement. Which of course doesn't prevent them from lying in order to acces the "grown up" discussions. Lying, after all, falls under freedom of speech, right?

BTW, maybe this should be moved to forum feedback, or is no-one really taking this conversation seriously?

Sirus · 03-01-2005, 05:45 PM

Vote: All of the above.

View Poll Results: Should we have an age restriction policy?
Yes - these are adult forums with adult topics!!!	3	6.25%
No way - haven't you heard of freedom of speech???	38	79.17%
I think children should be allowed to post in certain areas only!	6	12.50%
Other	3	6.25%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

03-01-2005, 03:52 PM	#1
Manhunter71 Pink fluffy Xmas bunny Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lancaster, England Posts: 1,591	Does anyone think we should have an age restriction on the forums? Given the recent addition of ... er... younger people to our forums - I was just wondering if anybody here think we should have an age restiction policy? I know it's very hard to implement but due to age problems I feel some people's recent posts have been bordering on ...... SPAM I would just like to add that I am not AGEIST Share Share this post on Twitter

03-01-2005, 04:04 PM	#3
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	They could easily lie about their age, but their behaviour gives them away far too readily. It's cakewalk for a grownup to act like a kid, but when a kid tries to act like a grownup it's not only particularly cute........it's also too damn obvious. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

03-01-2005, 04:07 PM	#4
SoccerDude28 Homer of Kittens Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Francisco, Bay Area Posts: 4,374	How about we tag the main page of the website with a big M FOR MATURE. That will keep the little buggers away. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ -------------------------------------------------- Games I am playing: Jeanne D'Ark (PSP) Firefox rules

03-01-2005, 04:11 PM	#5
Manhunter71 Pink fluffy Xmas bunny Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lancaster, England Posts: 1,591	I suppose you are both right, but certain people's dumb, spam-like posts are really starting to annoy me Obviusly I won't name names but I think you all know who I'm talking about?!? I wouldn't normally bring this up but He does interrupt ongoing conversations with topics like " any one want to chat - I'm bored) - WTF??? Share Share this post on Twitter

03-01-2005, 04:12 PM	#6
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	How a big sign saying Do not even think of joining this community until you've cleaned up your room, do you hear?!! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

03-01-2005, 04:13 PM	#7
artwking4 Jack Bauer loves you Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,524	I don't know, I voted Other (not a freedom of speech issue - there is responsiblity involved, too). There are younger very mature members around here who contribute a lot to the forum. As it is, I'm sure the moderators can figure out which members are wearing out their welcome and deal with them appropriately. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. -- Robert A. Heinlein

03-01-2005, 04:15 PM	#8
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Yes, but unfortunately we can't spank them. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

03-01-2005, 04:26 PM	#10
DustCropper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,117	If someone's posts are malicious and damaging to the community, then of course they should be banned. But no one should be excluded based only on their age. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-01-2005, 04:30 PM	#11
*fov* Rattenmonster Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 10,404	I would hesitate to suggest something like an age restriction, simply because younger people can be productive members of the community, too. Who decides how young is too young? How old were many of us when we started playing adventure games? Sure, we may not have been great conversationalists at the time... but that's not (necessarily) the focus of this site, and there are plenty of articulate "younger" people among our ranks, too. Age should not determine someone's inclusion in a community -- their contributions should. People who don't mesh with the community tend not to stick around. On the flip side, I'm sure there are plenty of lurkers who would love to post here but are intimidated by the general tone of our posts. Which doesn't mean we should change who we are -- but we should remember that a community is not only comprised of its most vocal members. Besides, although the occasional out of place post can be annoying (for me too, believe me! Or have you all forgotten that I poop on logs?), it's not as if the forums have become overrun with them. Not yet, anyway. -emily Share Share this post on Twitter Last edited by fov; 03-01-2005 at 11:31 PM. Reason: typo

03-01-2005, 04:37 PM	#13
Manhunter71 Pink fluffy Xmas bunny Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lancaster, England Posts: 1,591	Oh no!! Exactly what I didnt want!!! Now everyone's going to think I'm a bigot!!! I just had problems with the spam-like, off-topic parts of certain people's posts ( well, one person actually) and became worried that the whole forums would eventually be overrun by 10 yr olds ing everyone in sight Share Share this post on Twitter

03-01-2005, 05:06 PM	#17
EasilyConfused Curiouser and curiouser Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 803	No age restriction, I think, for all the reasons mentioned: 1) it's too hard to enforce; 2) it's arbitrary . . . people don't all become mature at the same rate (coughcough look at the evidence on the forum ); 3) if we're trying to screen out drivel, we'd have to screen ourselves. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-01-2005, 05:16 PM	#18
Manhunter71 Pink fluffy Xmas bunny Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lancaster, England Posts: 1,591	In retrospect, I really don't believe in restricting people according to age, but I do think we should keep a closer eye on the people who are posting here! After all, some people do mature quicker than others Share Share this post on Twitter

03-01-2005, 05:42 PM	#19
Maquisard Citizen of Bizarro World Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Htrae Posts: 4,219	Restricting kids from coming to these forums would make no sense. If you read the "Now hiring" article, it mentions how AG wants to expand into covering kids' adventure games. If anything, kids coming to these forums should be protected from certain topics which discuss adult themes. (I wish I was protected from seeing Temporary Scars' avatar! :eek: ) So maybe there should be an age inquiry upon registration, and a certain mod-imposed limit to their movement. Which of course doesn't prevent them from lying in order to acces the "grown up" discussions. Lying, after all, falls under freedom of speech, right? BTW, maybe this should be moved to forum feedback, or is no-one really taking this conversation seriously? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ By no rocket’s blue shade am no shells dead down there, Gave no proof all day long that the flag was unwhere! No say does am spar-strangled shroud hang limply! Under land of no free! Am us home coward-leeee! ~Excerpt from the Bizarro Anthem

03-01-2005, 05:45 PM	#20
Sirus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Texas, US Posts: 227	Vote: All of the above. Share Share this post on Twitter

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