[(JD)]

There has been a mention and a small discussion ( in the depression forum under a suicidal posts thread!!!) about a need for a teen issues forum.

I have mixed emotions about this, but brought it here since I think others have good comments to make also.

While many of the issues a teen will deal with can be entered in one of the existing forums such as Relationships, Depression or one of the Disorder forums... if topics like riding a bus to school, getting a driver's license , handling bullies... well then maybe... OR if all a teen wants is another teen's thoughts... and will reject adult rational responses anyway... maybe it would be nice.

But if it will only serve to isolate teens from posting in the regular forums (such as mentioned above) or provide ONLY other teen's responses, which won't carry experience and wisdom very far.. then I think I am against the idea.

Ugh...I'm sure some people will hate me for this, but....there are tons of teen sites on the web. If teens want a place of their own, as *I* would if I were a teen, that's where I would go. The reason I say that is simply because I worry about the fact that we don't have full-time mods here to "watch over" a separate teen-only forum. But a website which is devoted to teens would have the proper supervision.

I apologize to the teens here who hate me for thinking they need babysitting. It's not that...teens are special to me. I would want them to have the extra protection from predators and creeps that full-time moderators could provide.

Also, how would we know who really is a teen?? And who is some 56 yr old who likes chatting with teens? The whole idea gives me worries.

old em

[(JD)]

Thanks em... I didn't put the thumbs up on my original post... because I have the same type of concerns... and because others are chatting the idea up, figured it best to get it out in the open.

I don't think it would be a bad idea. And I don't hate you for your opinion. It's yours and you're entitled to it. The thing is that in teen sites, teen's can't get the knowledge from those of us who are not teens... the experiences we've had and the lessons we learned. Not that I'm some kind of old guy... hell I'm barely out of my teens but what if an adult moderator had the teen forum and could offer advise when a teen is in trouble and doesn't feel they can talk to their parents? I think it could be a great addition to the site.

Ry

Sky, I absolutely agree that if it isolated the teens then it would be a bad idea. But a forum for teen ISSUES where anyone could post would be a great idea. You're right on track in my book.

Ry

[jmo531]

I think that teen issues can be posted in the current forums we have here already. I never actually thought of any of us in terms of age. I know that sounds weird but I think of us as all in need of love and support. I dunno. Just my thoughts.

[(JD)]

Maybe a question of the week posted mainly for teens would help? I, for one, have run into situations (especially in chat) where the member was a teen and what they were going through was, well, juvenile and others didn't relate (and unfortunately some didn't want to) to how they presented.

[(JD)]

and still another thought: teens NEED to relate to their peers.

The fact that (among others) those who have been abused as children often can relate to adults (because of the pressure to watch, respond, act on an adult level) doesn't count for NOT beginning a teen forum. imo

The thing when dealing with teens is remembering what it was like to be a teen while retaining the knowledge you've learned in your years. A teen problem, when viewed by an adult who has to pay the bills or starve, sure would seem juvenile. But to the teen the issue is as real as me working to put a roof over my head. And maybe I understand a little better just because I'm only 25. I'm not saying at all that you don't. You just have to remember that teens have different problems then adults do and with the hormone changes they go through, it makes things difficult. Toss in depression or abuse or ADHD or some other kind of mental illness, being a teen can be very trying. That's why there's such a high rate of teen suicide. I think a safe place for teens to talk about teen issues with someone they feel comfy with would work wonders for the many teens we have here. I'm all for it. Hope ya don't hate me for my opinions.

(ducks the flame throwers)

Ry

[(JD)]

Yep You're convincing me (but it isn't me ... it's DocJohn that needs the convincing LOL)

The term "juvenile" carries no offense to it, and was used as appropriate in my post, btw: </font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Not fully grown or developed; young.
Of, relating to, characteristic of, intended for, or appropriate for children or young people: juvenile fashions.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> American Heritage Dictionary

oh sweetie, I wasn't saying that you were offensive at all. Not even a little. I'm sorry that I came across that way.

Ry

So Doc... what do you think?

Ry

[January]

I have been off the site, but Ryan mentioned this site to me, and as a former teacher and youth leader. I thought I would add my input.

It is my opinion that teens need to be in the regular forums, but also have a special forum where they can post about problems that fit their age and peer issues. Their worlds are constantly changing with new pressures and situations that most of us have never experienced.

Ryan wrote:

"You just have to remember that teens have different problems then adults do and with the hormone changes they go through, it makes things difficult. Toss in depression or abuse or ADHD or some other kind of mental illness, being a teen can be very trying. That's why there's such a high rate of teen suicide. I think a safe place for teens to talk about teen issues with someone they feel comfy with would work wonders for the many teens we have here."

I was one of those teens who desperately needed help. I was abused, depressed, panicked and felt so alone in the world. Adults didn't take me seriously or understand and I quit trying to talk to them. I was terrified to tell someone the truth about my home life and if I could have found a site just like this with a teen forum with adults who were patient and cared enough to take time to help me, my life might have had a much different outcome.

Please consider the forum. Our teens need to be in the main forums, but they do need a special place to feel absolutely comfortable to post.

I also think the idea of a teen chat with a moderator is an excellent idea. I can tell everyone that has posted has given this matter great thought and it is a testament to all that we all pitched in with our yays and nays and it's all just fine.

Jan

[Dolfin]

I think it would be a great idea to give the teens here a place all their own, where they can voice their concerns (which some adults may find trivial) with people in their own age group. Having teenage cousins, I am a sounding board for many things trivial, but to my cousins, they aren't. By giving them their very own forum, they can air these concerns and get the much needed feedback from other teens, who can relate better that us "old folk".

Also, maybe their own private "session" with a mod, as we do with Doc John, wouldn't be such a bad thing. I think that many of our teen peers feel kind of left out on Doc Nite, so by giving them a chance to talk about their concerns, without all the adults around may be more beneficial to THEM in the long run.

Dolfin

[vacantangel]

I'd like to hear what any of the teens on this site feel about whether or not they would like to have their own forum. Have any of them voiced their viewpoints yet?

[DocJohn]

We hear you! :-)

This was again recently discussed amongst the moderation team and it was felt, unfortunately, that while teens certainly grapple with a lot of unique issues, so do many other specific sub-groups (older adults, women, poor, minorities, etc.). While I'd love to start a forum for every niche that arises, I'm afraid we don't currently have the resources here to support that (both in terms of person-power and technically).

There are dozens of other support forums online available specifically for teens. We're going to put together a list of them and make that available here soon. I know that's not the same as having your own forum here, but for now, it's all we can offer. I'm sorry.

Best,
DocJohn

[Dolfin]

Doc,

I think that's what most of us were getting at - a place for the teens to post to get feedback from their peers in the same age group. I think that's AWESOME you are working on this for our younger members!!!



Jenn

[(JD)]

Thanks bunches DocJohn for the input. (((hugs))) Sky now goes to find another thread topic... ; )