Question:
Please refer to my post in the "Post Your Quote" thread. It is an issue that has concerned me for some time now. You all know that I am anything but prudish. However, when it comes to children, I am probably over protective. And as far as I am concerned, that is a good thing. So I am prepared to go out on a limb here and set myself up for some negative response. But this is how I feel.
I think you'll have so many people out on that limb with you that it might break!
So far I have chosen to ignore some of the "in poor taste" jokes and remarks made on this board. Considering the fact that there are children here, perhaps we should all think about what's appropriate before we pass on a cute joke or quote?
Margaret
Hey,
First off: i wanna let you know that i respect you adults and your opinions and your advice and i am not trying to create problems here on the board, just merely stating my opinion like you did!
I think that you took the quote the wrong way... when it said "no ones a virgin- everyone gets screwed once in a while" i dont think it was talking about the sexual kind of screwing!!and I know that as adults you have had experiences and you have raised kids and all that stuff, but we're kids, we're still learning, and we're having fun!
Now, maybe not all of you have gotten to know Emi on the level that i have. But Emi and I have become good friends i think, and i know that she isnt a bad girl! lol, she waz just passing along something that she thought was funny!!! I'm sure she didnt mean anything by it and she definately didnt mean to offend anyone by it!!
so my opinion is: we're just kids... cant we have a little fun? how else will we learn??
xoxo Kim
(sorry if i made you mad!)
Kim it was inappropriate for a young lady to say it pure and simple .....there is no sugar coating it at all....
My mom always said this"act like a lady if it kills you"
Just my opinion, but clearly the "screwing" here is referring to life in general, and the concept of "virgin" is not foreign or obscene as far as I am concerned. I just don't think that particular quote was that bad in comparison to music that parents let their kids listen to, clothes they allow them to wear, and movies they let them see. I think that is a harmless comment in a society that is not exactly on the up swing of morality.
It's sort of ironic that all your responses have re-enforced what I am trying to get across in one way or another.
Lottie, I think that as adults we should have a forum where we can share a little adult conversation. We shouldn't have to post everything thinking that a child might be reading it. They have their own forum. And I would never consider going in there and having the same sort of conversation I would have such as we do in Deb's House or Spidey's bar. I have posted in their forum when someone has asked for advice or info. And they are always welcome to read and post the P & PA forums.
Chaim, the only funny thing about that quote is its dual meaning. And I still feel that I wouldn't want my 12 year old girl posting that sort of humor amoung adults, or visiting chat rooms without my supervision. We'll see how you feel should you have a little girl added to you clan.
Kim, there is nothing bad about Emi. Whether she appreciates the full meaning of the quote or not, it is not where she should be posting it. You all have the right to have fun. And yes you need to learn. I just feel that is not the appropriate way or place. You can get involved with the wrong people. Not everyone has pure intentions. Do you understand what I am trying to say?
My intentions are to protect the children. But if it means that we can't interact as adults in some of our conversation forums then this site will lose its appeal for many of us.
Originally posted by debber_1
Kim it was inappropriate for a young lady to say it pure and simple .....there is no sugar coating it at all....
My mom always said this"act like a lady if it kills you"
I'm with you Deb ...
And Annie, I share your concern....
The fact that Emi shared it IS inappropriate....but more so, it's upsetting to know that a young girl is posting something like that online and where are the guardians??? How is THIS OK!?...so sad.
Add me to the limb
I'm out here to break the limb! Correct me if I'm wrong, but "the children" have their own playground on this site, don't they????? Show them the door. And kids hanging around with adults other than your parents is not all that you think it is. Your life experience and intellectual capabilities do not afford you the proper framework for interpretation and could lead you to conclusions that will impact you negatively. If you think you are: this is a word to the wise. GET LOST, NO ONE IS IMPRESSED!
Too harsh you say? Thats what being an adult is about. Too many of us have forgotten our job is to make the hard decisions. I could continue waggling my finger in your face(you adults out there) but I think you got the message.
CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN NOT HEARD!!!!! And since we are in cyber space we don't have to see them either.:D
Not concerned about the flak fought this battle in this war a million times before.
Almost forgot: Too the wood shed, pick your own on the way there.
Annie,
I understand what you all are trying to say. I understand it and accept it- still doesnt mean i have to agree with it though. But everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
Robi,
no matter how much people fight against me, until the NPF puts a sign on this forum saying no kids allowed, i will continue to visit and post here as much as i want!
Denise,
are you trying to get the point across that our parents should be watching every single thing we do on the internet? maybe i took this the wrong way- but i got the impression that you were kinda pointing out that our parents werent doing their job or something...
Chaim,
I totally agree w/ everything you said!!!
My last words (and i know im gonna get some nasty replies to this):
I think that if the children on this board get in trouble for being innappropriate, so should the adults.
I know a few people have pushed for trying to keep the "kids" separate from the "adults" on the boards and in chat and that I find absurd. Let's remember that the boards and chat are a place primarily to find support and advice. No matter what a person's age is, the one common denominator here is going to be that we or a loved one of ours suffer from psoriasis and each and every one of us is do the right to have the support and advice the boards are meant for, despite age. The teen contingency here is to small to say that teens have to be confined to "their" board. Let's remember why we are here.
I say if you feel that seeing things like this posted by kids upsets you, make their messages invisible. If you have tried to explain to youth your concern, then you have more then done your part. Maybe it is best then from this point on to ignore their posts.
It seems a simple solution, to me at least. That way, everyone is happy. Adults don't have to complain/express concern and the youth can post whatever they feel they are adult enough to do, since they are going to do it anyway.
This POST IS NOT ATTACKING ANYONE, just my .02.
Take care and smile
Bella
This will be my last post regarding this issue. I don't feel that ignoring their posts is the answer as I feel responsible for what they might read that I might like to post for the adult members. It wouldn't be very responsible of me as an adult and a parent to put blinders on to the situation.
We recently had an incident here on this website where two adults involved an adolescent in a situation which was totally inappropriate. This is where my concerns are coming from. Just several towns from mine we buried a 13 year old girl who met someone on the internet who took advantage of her vunerabily. He raped and murdered her.
So I suppose the solution is that we no longer post the jokes and comments that have become a fun thing in threads such as Spidey's jokes, Deb's House. I suppose that we no longer share adult conversations in chat. Or... we set aside times or forums where adults can indulge in sharing adult experiences. And I'm not referring to baudy sexuality. But if I want to bitch about my spouse or complain about a sexual insecurity realtive to my disease process, etc.; I would like to be able to do that with my P family.
I don't think it is appropriate to do that with an adolescent audience. And if I am censored and can't share my feelings with my peers I suppose I need to look for another website.
I just feel that the solution is a bit of separation. Not totally, but I feel some separation is warrrented.
Hi Kimberly,
You understood me correctly.
It is my opinion that children should be supervised while online. So, if a parent or guardian was there when the quote was typed I'm quite certain the SUBMIT button would never have been clicked.
I'm not saying everyone should agree with my opinion, but it's mine, and I feel it strongly and think it's scarey and sad that young children girls and boys are online unsupervised..
Aren't you glad I'm not your Mom?
:D
i pretty much agree with you. i always felt if i wouldn't post/say something with my mom standing behind me, i probably shouldn't be posting/saying it!! :D
Hope she's not behind me now !!! LOL
Take care and smile
Bella
Oppositional-defiance. With parents blessing I'm sure. Next thing, we'll be hearing from some childs lawyer. I can see the future!:D
Ok Kim who is being inappropriate here? You just don't like what we have to say.....
And when we are innappropriate, what do you suggest a ban? And you know what at the risk of offenending you I don't like to reply because you have to answer each one of us and it makes me feel uncomfortable....
And just like you pointed out to Annie I understand what you are saying I just don't have to agree with it...
Children need supervision while on line because they DO NOT realise there are evil people on line who can do them harm...
But be aware there are parents who will never supervise thier childern....And we can post to this until we are blue in the face and I doubt the kids will listen!
As far as her quote being taken the wrong way it was not Kim...I am glad my 12 year old did not say it....She would not be able to sit for a week!
I'll add my two cents in. I didn't feel like the virgin comment was that inappropriate or offensive. (Of course, I don't have children myself so I may be unable to judge fairly.) At her age, I acted like an adult and thought that I could hang with them.
However, I DO feel it is inappropriate for children to be on some of the boards. Face it, psoriasis affects all aspects of your life - including itimacy. I want to share questions/concerns/etc about this and I would be really upset if children are reading it. I feel that children should NOT be involved in all adult discussions. I hate to think that my comments have to be monitored (if they are, of course, within reason) because some child might see them.
Hey Everyone,
okay, whoa- this is turning out to be more than i expected... and i dont want to reply, but i cant just let it sit here!!lol
Gumby: i totally understand what you're saying. There are just some posts that children shouldnt be a part of. And i cant speak for every child on this board, but i know that if there were a thread titled "Intimacy" or something having to do with that, i would not visit it! most of us are just smarter than that... But as far as jokes go, i think that we can handle what we say
Deb: i am saying this under your name, but others have said similar things too, im just replying to yours in particular.When you said: Children need supervision while on line because they DO NOT realise there are evil people on line who can do them harm... what does this have anything to do with it?? Are you saying that by posting a joke like that, Emi is gonna get attacked by some online internet freak? Lol- im sorry if that didnt come out right, but... i dont see why/how "evil people" relates to telling "dirty" jokes.
Bella: I totally agree with what you said. Except i set even higher standards for myself and say "if i wouldnt tell this joke, watch this movie, listen to this music, say this word, or do this thing in front of my pastor, its not right to do at all"... and i know that me and my parents will get put down by you guys for this next comment: but my parents would laugh at a joke like that.
This is it for now, till someone replies!
xoxox Kim
(ps... i would like u all to know that even though i fight against what you are saying, i totally respect your opinions and am not trying to make you mad- just trying to kind of show you where i am coming from when i say this!)
You love to argue! I am in no mood to argue with a 13 year old......
My last word.....
As a parent of a young lady, I would have great reservations in allowing her to visit some of the theads posted here. I am told all the time that I can not protect my child all the time, but I say to them "to *ell I can't" as long as I am breathing I will regulate anything that I deam inapproriate.
Growing up I was raised not to do anything that would bring embarassment to my family. I'm sure that if that CHILD's mother/father saw that posting she would have her computer PRIVILAGES taken away.
Kids today think that all things are a RIGHT to them, and they are in a hurry to grow up. Take it from somebody who's grown...Don't push the years, the older you are the faster they come.
Again...just my .02.
Louise
It's time for a history lesson. Until February 2003, the NPF Message Board was divided into two parts. A public section and a members only section. The public section was sub-divided into:
The members only Board wasn't moderated. It was more active then the "public" boards, but I think that it's a pretty safe bet that the fact that you had to become a member of the NPF in order to post there discouraged more than a few people. (This is proven by the fact that the number of posters increased dramatically once the Boards were opened up to non-members.)
The Board is open to anyone with an internet connection. People post here from around the world. It covers multiple time zones. Not everyone is what they seem. Some people have identified themselves as being under 18. Others may have chosen not to. Think about that. Lately, there have been more than a few threads and/or posts that have been in very questionable taste. (I'm sure that there's more than a few adults who don't appreciate "Adult Humor"). There's nothing wrong with asking a question about very intimate subjects. There's nothing wrong telling a joke. I'm not asking people to censor themselves. Just think before you post. If you find a thread or a post to be offensive then don't read it. Put those posters who offend you on your ignore list.
Just my $0.02.
Mike
I must admit I agree a lot with what you are all saying, I understand your concerns and whilst you are putting in your $0.02 I would just like to add my £0.02, by simply saying THIS
I was reading the thread in question and chose to post at a later time, HOWEVER I didnt even realise it was a child who wrote the reply until Annie pointed it out. I would never have known, I don't view the profile on each message I read.
Just somthing to think about.
It's a "Conversations" bb so it invites conversations from all who visit. This has been an interesting string of threads to read. I have a daughter who doesn't even read yet, and I know that I'm going to be extremely overprotective. But, when I was a teenager, I loved telling a dirty joke or three, so I know where these kids are coming from. I remember what it's like to want to join in on a fun conversation. Unfortunatley, the internet just isn't a safe place, so I understand the concern of the adults here, as well. I guess you can call this a very wishy-washy response, since I'm not taking either side... We adults do have to be responsible in what we post, but it's up to the kids in the long run to read/not read, respond/not respond, unless their parents can keep them under constant supervision or toss their 'puters out the window for good. When I was 13 I didn't know jack about a lot of things kids are experts on.... but I don't hold that against them. (I'd like to protect them-- that's just my motherly instinct kicking in.)
just my 2cents. Unless we restrict kids from the bb's, which I hope isn't going to happen, they are going to view (and possibley respond to) all of the clean and dirty laundry hanging out here...
This thread has shown a lot of interesting thoughts. I have a hard time disagreeing with any of them, even though they point out very diverse opinions. For years I have watched the children of us baby boomers get more and more inappropriate in their actions. As children, we would have been punished for many of the things that are commone place now. And before any comes back and says that children are more mature now, I say that is total garbage. They are still children. They may be smarter in many respects, but they are not more mature. The problem is that I am not sure that the parent of some of these "mature" children have ever matured themselves. I see profanity proudly displayed by adults on t-shirts and bumper stickers as they haul their children to sports and school activities. Adult make fun of proud parents with honor roll students. Does the fact that this childen posted an totally inappropriate joke on this board surprise me? Not at all. Is it ok for it to happen? Not at all. Would the parent of this child care if they new about it? I doubt it or she would never have done it in the first place. Annie, I totally agree with you, but you are not going to be able to change someone like her. Her parents are the only ones who can and I don't think that is going to happen. Respect for adults and adult supjects needs to be instilled in children from an early age and I am afraid it just isn't happening in the current society as often as it should. Adults need to show respect for each other as an example and it isn't happening either and unfortunately this seems to be widely accepted also. Ignoring it won't make it go away and standing up for your opinions will only make you the target for ridicule a lot of the time. Times are changing and maybe not for the better, but until we, as adults, start taking responsibilty for our actions, our children will only copy us and eventually degrade even further. Thank you Annie for expressing you concerns and I sincerely wish more adults felt the way you do.
Paul
Answers:
I think you'll have so many people out on that limb with you that it might break!
So far I have chosen to ignore some of the "in poor taste" jokes and remarks made on this board. Considering the fact that there are children here, perhaps we should all think about what's appropriate before we pass on a cute joke or quote?
Margaret
Answers:
Hey,
First off: i wanna let you know that i respect you adults and your opinions and your advice and i am not trying to create problems here on the board, just merely stating my opinion like you did!
I think that you took the quote the wrong way... when it said "no ones a virgin- everyone gets screwed once in a while" i dont think it was talking about the sexual kind of screwing!!and I know that as adults you have had experiences and you have raised kids and all that stuff, but we're kids, we're still learning, and we're having fun!
Now, maybe not all of you have gotten to know Emi on the level that i have. But Emi and I have become good friends i think, and i know that she isnt a bad girl! lol, she waz just passing along something that she thought was funny!!! I'm sure she didnt mean anything by it and she definately didnt mean to offend anyone by it!!
so my opinion is: we're just kids... cant we have a little fun? how else will we learn??
xoxo Kim
(sorry if i made you mad!)
Answers:
Kim it was inappropriate for a young lady to say it pure and simple .....there is no sugar coating it at all....
My mom always said this"act like a lady if it kills you"
Answers:
Just my opinion, but clearly the "screwing" here is referring to life in general, and the concept of "virgin" is not foreign or obscene as far as I am concerned. I just don't think that particular quote was that bad in comparison to music that parents let their kids listen to, clothes they allow them to wear, and movies they let them see. I think that is a harmless comment in a society that is not exactly on the up swing of morality.
Answers:
It's sort of ironic that all your responses have re-enforced what I am trying to get across in one way or another.
Lottie, I think that as adults we should have a forum where we can share a little adult conversation. We shouldn't have to post everything thinking that a child might be reading it. They have their own forum. And I would never consider going in there and having the same sort of conversation I would have such as we do in Deb's House or Spidey's bar. I have posted in their forum when someone has asked for advice or info. And they are always welcome to read and post the P & PA forums.
Chaim, the only funny thing about that quote is its dual meaning. And I still feel that I wouldn't want my 12 year old girl posting that sort of humor amoung adults, or visiting chat rooms without my supervision. We'll see how you feel should you have a little girl added to you clan.
Kim, there is nothing bad about Emi. Whether she appreciates the full meaning of the quote or not, it is not where she should be posting it. You all have the right to have fun. And yes you need to learn. I just feel that is not the appropriate way or place. You can get involved with the wrong people. Not everyone has pure intentions. Do you understand what I am trying to say?
My intentions are to protect the children. But if it means that we can't interact as adults in some of our conversation forums then this site will lose its appeal for many of us.
Answers:
Originally posted by debber_1
Kim it was inappropriate for a young lady to say it pure and simple .....there is no sugar coating it at all....
My mom always said this"act like a lady if it kills you"
I'm with you Deb ...
And Annie, I share your concern....
The fact that Emi shared it IS inappropriate....but more so, it's upsetting to know that a young girl is posting something like that online and where are the guardians??? How is THIS OK!?...so sad.
Add me to the limb
Answers:
I'm out here to break the limb! Correct me if I'm wrong, but "the children" have their own playground on this site, don't they????? Show them the door. And kids hanging around with adults other than your parents is not all that you think it is. Your life experience and intellectual capabilities do not afford you the proper framework for interpretation and could lead you to conclusions that will impact you negatively. If you think you are: this is a word to the wise. GET LOST, NO ONE IS IMPRESSED!
Too harsh you say? Thats what being an adult is about. Too many of us have forgotten our job is to make the hard decisions. I could continue waggling my finger in your face(you adults out there) but I think you got the message.
CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN NOT HEARD!!!!! And since we are in cyber space we don't have to see them either.:D
Not concerned about the flak fought this battle in this war a million times before.
Almost forgot: Too the wood shed, pick your own on the way there.
Answers:
Annie,
I understand what you all are trying to say. I understand it and accept it- still doesnt mean i have to agree with it though. But everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
Robi,
no matter how much people fight against me, until the NPF puts a sign on this forum saying no kids allowed, i will continue to visit and post here as much as i want!
Denise,
are you trying to get the point across that our parents should be watching every single thing we do on the internet? maybe i took this the wrong way- but i got the impression that you were kinda pointing out that our parents werent doing their job or something...
Chaim,
I totally agree w/ everything you said!!!
My last words (and i know im gonna get some nasty replies to this):
I think that if the children on this board get in trouble for being innappropriate, so should the adults.
Answers:
I know a few people have pushed for trying to keep the "kids" separate from the "adults" on the boards and in chat and that I find absurd. Let's remember that the boards and chat are a place primarily to find support and advice. No matter what a person's age is, the one common denominator here is going to be that we or a loved one of ours suffer from psoriasis and each and every one of us is do the right to have the support and advice the boards are meant for, despite age. The teen contingency here is to small to say that teens have to be confined to "their" board. Let's remember why we are here.
Answers:
I say if you feel that seeing things like this posted by kids upsets you, make their messages invisible. If you have tried to explain to youth your concern, then you have more then done your part. Maybe it is best then from this point on to ignore their posts.
It seems a simple solution, to me at least. That way, everyone is happy. Adults don't have to complain/express concern and the youth can post whatever they feel they are adult enough to do, since they are going to do it anyway.
This POST IS NOT ATTACKING ANYONE, just my .02.
Take care and smile
Bella
Answers:
This will be my last post regarding this issue. I don't feel that ignoring their posts is the answer as I feel responsible for what they might read that I might like to post for the adult members. It wouldn't be very responsible of me as an adult and a parent to put blinders on to the situation.
We recently had an incident here on this website where two adults involved an adolescent in a situation which was totally inappropriate. This is where my concerns are coming from. Just several towns from mine we buried a 13 year old girl who met someone on the internet who took advantage of her vunerabily. He raped and murdered her.
So I suppose the solution is that we no longer post the jokes and comments that have become a fun thing in threads such as Spidey's jokes, Deb's House. I suppose that we no longer share adult conversations in chat. Or... we set aside times or forums where adults can indulge in sharing adult experiences. And I'm not referring to baudy sexuality. But if I want to bitch about my spouse or complain about a sexual insecurity realtive to my disease process, etc.; I would like to be able to do that with my P family.
I don't think it is appropriate to do that with an adolescent audience. And if I am censored and can't share my feelings with my peers I suppose I need to look for another website.
I just feel that the solution is a bit of separation. Not totally, but I feel some separation is warrrented.
Answers:
Hi Kimberly,
You understood me correctly.
It is my opinion that children should be supervised while online. So, if a parent or guardian was there when the quote was typed I'm quite certain the SUBMIT button would never have been clicked.
I'm not saying everyone should agree with my opinion, but it's mine, and I feel it strongly and think it's scarey and sad that young children girls and boys are online unsupervised..
Aren't you glad I'm not your Mom?
:D
Answers:
i pretty much agree with you. i always felt if i wouldn't post/say something with my mom standing behind me, i probably shouldn't be posting/saying it!! :D
Hope she's not behind me now !!! LOL
Take care and smile
Bella
Answers:
Oppositional-defiance. With parents blessing I'm sure. Next thing, we'll be hearing from some childs lawyer. I can see the future!:D
Answers:
Ok Kim who is being inappropriate here? You just don't like what we have to say.....
And when we are innappropriate, what do you suggest a ban? And you know what at the risk of offenending you I don't like to reply because you have to answer each one of us and it makes me feel uncomfortable....
And just like you pointed out to Annie I understand what you are saying I just don't have to agree with it...
Children need supervision while on line because they DO NOT realise there are evil people on line who can do them harm...
But be aware there are parents who will never supervise thier childern....And we can post to this until we are blue in the face and I doubt the kids will listen!
As far as her quote being taken the wrong way it was not Kim...I am glad my 12 year old did not say it....She would not be able to sit for a week!
Answers:
I'll add my two cents in. I didn't feel like the virgin comment was that inappropriate or offensive. (Of course, I don't have children myself so I may be unable to judge fairly.) At her age, I acted like an adult and thought that I could hang with them.
However, I DO feel it is inappropriate for children to be on some of the boards. Face it, psoriasis affects all aspects of your life - including itimacy. I want to share questions/concerns/etc about this and I would be really upset if children are reading it. I feel that children should NOT be involved in all adult discussions. I hate to think that my comments have to be monitored (if they are, of course, within reason) because some child might see them.
Answers:
Hey Everyone,
okay, whoa- this is turning out to be more than i expected... and i dont want to reply, but i cant just let it sit here!!lol
Gumby: i totally understand what you're saying. There are just some posts that children shouldnt be a part of. And i cant speak for every child on this board, but i know that if there were a thread titled "Intimacy" or something having to do with that, i would not visit it! most of us are just smarter than that... But as far as jokes go, i think that we can handle what we say
Deb: i am saying this under your name, but others have said similar things too, im just replying to yours in particular.When you said: Children need supervision while on line because they DO NOT realise there are evil people on line who can do them harm... what does this have anything to do with it?? Are you saying that by posting a joke like that, Emi is gonna get attacked by some online internet freak? Lol- im sorry if that didnt come out right, but... i dont see why/how "evil people" relates to telling "dirty" jokes.
Bella: I totally agree with what you said. Except i set even higher standards for myself and say "if i wouldnt tell this joke, watch this movie, listen to this music, say this word, or do this thing in front of my pastor, its not right to do at all"... and i know that me and my parents will get put down by you guys for this next comment: but my parents would laugh at a joke like that.
This is it for now, till someone replies!
xoxox Kim
(ps... i would like u all to know that even though i fight against what you are saying, i totally respect your opinions and am not trying to make you mad- just trying to kind of show you where i am coming from when i say this!)
Answers:
You love to argue! I am in no mood to argue with a 13 year old......
My last word.....
Answers:
As a parent of a young lady, I would have great reservations in allowing her to visit some of the theads posted here. I am told all the time that I can not protect my child all the time, but I say to them "to *ell I can't" as long as I am breathing I will regulate anything that I deam inapproriate.
Growing up I was raised not to do anything that would bring embarassment to my family. I'm sure that if that CHILD's mother/father saw that posting she would have her computer PRIVILAGES taken away.
Kids today think that all things are a RIGHT to them, and they are in a hurry to grow up. Take it from somebody who's grown...Don't push the years, the older you are the faster they come.
Again...just my .02.
Louise
Answers:
It's time for a history lesson. Until February 2003, the NPF Message Board was divided into two parts. A public section and a members only section. The public section was sub-divided into:
- A Kids Board, which was meant for very young children;
- A Youth Board, which was meant for pre-teens; and
- A Teen Board, which was meant for teenagers
The members only Board wasn't moderated. It was more active then the "public" boards, but I think that it's a pretty safe bet that the fact that you had to become a member of the NPF in order to post there discouraged more than a few people. (This is proven by the fact that the number of posters increased dramatically once the Boards were opened up to non-members.)
The Board is open to anyone with an internet connection. People post here from around the world. It covers multiple time zones. Not everyone is what they seem. Some people have identified themselves as being under 18. Others may have chosen not to. Think about that. Lately, there have been more than a few threads and/or posts that have been in very questionable taste. (I'm sure that there's more than a few adults who don't appreciate "Adult Humor"). There's nothing wrong with asking a question about very intimate subjects. There's nothing wrong telling a joke. I'm not asking people to censor themselves. Just think before you post. If you find a thread or a post to be offensive then don't read it. Put those posters who offend you on your ignore list.
Just my $0.02.
Mike
Answers:
I must admit I agree a lot with what you are all saying, I understand your concerns and whilst you are putting in your $0.02 I would just like to add my £0.02, by simply saying THIS
I was reading the thread in question and chose to post at a later time, HOWEVER I didnt even realise it was a child who wrote the reply until Annie pointed it out. I would never have known, I don't view the profile on each message I read.
Just somthing to think about.
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It's a "Conversations" bb so it invites conversations from all who visit. This has been an interesting string of threads to read. I have a daughter who doesn't even read yet, and I know that I'm going to be extremely overprotective. But, when I was a teenager, I loved telling a dirty joke or three, so I know where these kids are coming from. I remember what it's like to want to join in on a fun conversation. Unfortunatley, the internet just isn't a safe place, so I understand the concern of the adults here, as well. I guess you can call this a very wishy-washy response, since I'm not taking either side... We adults do have to be responsible in what we post, but it's up to the kids in the long run to read/not read, respond/not respond, unless their parents can keep them under constant supervision or toss their 'puters out the window for good. When I was 13 I didn't know jack about a lot of things kids are experts on.... but I don't hold that against them. (I'd like to protect them-- that's just my motherly instinct kicking in.)
just my 2cents. Unless we restrict kids from the bb's, which I hope isn't going to happen, they are going to view (and possibley respond to) all of the clean and dirty laundry hanging out here...
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This thread has shown a lot of interesting thoughts. I have a hard time disagreeing with any of them, even though they point out very diverse opinions. For years I have watched the children of us baby boomers get more and more inappropriate in their actions. As children, we would have been punished for many of the things that are commone place now. And before any comes back and says that children are more mature now, I say that is total garbage. They are still children. They may be smarter in many respects, but they are not more mature. The problem is that I am not sure that the parent of some of these "mature" children have ever matured themselves. I see profanity proudly displayed by adults on t-shirts and bumper stickers as they haul their children to sports and school activities. Adult make fun of proud parents with honor roll students. Does the fact that this childen posted an totally inappropriate joke on this board surprise me? Not at all. Is it ok for it to happen? Not at all. Would the parent of this child care if they new about it? I doubt it or she would never have done it in the first place. Annie, I totally agree with you, but you are not going to be able to change someone like her. Her parents are the only ones who can and I don't think that is going to happen. Respect for adults and adult supjects needs to be instilled in children from an early age and I am afraid it just isn't happening in the current society as often as it should. Adults need to show respect for each other as an example and it isn't happening either and unfortunately this seems to be widely accepted also. Ignoring it won't make it go away and standing up for your opinions will only make you the target for ridicule a lot of the time. Times are changing and maybe not for the better, but until we, as adults, start taking responsibilty for our actions, our children will only copy us and eventually degrade even further. Thank you Annie for expressing you concerns and I sincerely wish more adults felt the way you do.
Paul
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