just wondering...

so the chat rooms are to be family oriented?
doesn't the word "chat" imply spontaneity?
doesn't spontaneity sometimes lead to breakthroughs in communicating difficult concepts?

Is age an issue regarding communication of complex ideas?

I have yet come up against a truly complex conversation in a chat room. Does it really matter who is typing the words? Just words on a screen...most people are there just trying to have a laugh...nothing wrong with that...in very short sentences using a lot of acronyms.

Age or sex should not be an issue...the only justification that you need to have to be here is that you have some type of mental or other condition. That was my understanding. The day that someone tells me that I can't go somewhere because I am young or old or a man or a woman is the day that I try to pound through that door with my boots on. If we are going to mark people because of their age...let it begin here. Hey...I am fairly old...perhaps I should have a mark by my name.

I repeat myself now. As adults you have to take responsibilty for your own actions and words...if you can't, then take it to a private room.

most people are there just trying to have a laugh...nothing wrong with that...

i notice you've only been a member since May (1 1/2 months?)
i've heard (seen?) some pretty intense conversations on chat, involving abuse, self injury and suicide..as well as some sexual joking around.
i agree if it's light hearted it doesn't matter much who is participating but when the chat turns intense, you tend to take a little more notice of who you're chatting with...that's all.

I have to say this. most of the time in social it is usually all adults so the conversations flow freely. if it were in the main room it would not be allowed there. the main room is for issues. social is just that. a place to unwind and have fun. I don't understand why people that don't go in there are jumping in here all mad.

I'd like to remind everyone involved in this thread to keep the discussion to the subject please, without name-calling or disrespecting another member. We can disagree respectfully.

In regards to the over 21 chatroom...have at it! Anyone, at any time, can create a room that's public or password protected, that will show in the list of chat rooms, etc. It's been mentioned that it's wanted, but it's already there basically.

We have to know, though, being online that anyone could see that it's over 21, come in and say they are when they could be a minor. That said, I understand that some feel a responsibility and if they question's asked and answered, then the conscience should be clear on it.

Please continue the conversation as it's a good one, but refrain from attacking another member or being obviously unsupportive to them, because they might disagree with you or another.

Thanks in advance,

KD

(((((((( mel )))))))))

I'm sorry that you felt you weren't included at a time when you might have needed inclusion.

KD

This forum started off with a discussion about sexual issues which are intense...not the other intense issues you named. That is a whole other story.

I for one tend to stay clear of both...since I have my own issues to deal with and prefer not to air them. I do not want to participate in other people's intense issues in chat such as suicide. So I vacate myself from them also.

Just because an issue is intense does not mean that younger people should not participate...they deal with the same intense issues that older people do. They also deal with sexual issues.

What you are trying to come to terms with is the idea that you may have blabbed about your personal issues with someone who was to young in your eyes. Once again...you have to take personal responsibilty for your own actions. The chat rooms are public places for members (regardless of age or gender) to participate in conversations with other members about issues concerning the members in that room.

Just because I have only been a member for one and a half months does not mean I am not entitled to an opinion. My brain did not just start working when I signed up...I used to think before this. And expressing an opinion is not "mad". You are using the term in an effort to belittle my expressions on the subject.

Someone should speak up when people are trying to impose restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of participation.
That would be me and always has been...welcome to my dose of human secularism.

I agree that the chat rooms, as well as the whole of PC, are public areas...inviting to those over the age of 13 (I believe that's the age).

In that respect, all are welcome in the rooms that are listed as public without restrictions of any kind.

If a conversation is that detailed where one has to be concerned with legal issues and a minor being involved, then it's probable that the chat should go private with those who are in agreement with the discussion as even many adults could find it triggering or offensive or just against preference and expectation.

Members here have expectations to view and participate in that which is within the guidelines. If the chat is within the guidelines, I'm sure it's an OK view for all members? If there's question that it crosses over the sexual content guidelines, then it should go private.

If you just have a preferences to chat with others closer to your own age just due to comfort, you can create a room (public or private) for that purpose. That's what that option is for. I could go in right now and create a room entitled, "Continued discussion on chat room restrictions..."

Thanks,

KD

Edited to add:

A good general guide for what I mentioned above might be...if it's not appropriate for the forums per the guidelines then it's not appropriate for public chat areas?

mojo I am sorry you seem to have misunderstood. the contents are not about "issues" more playing around joking about stuff. sorry this has offended you in any way at all but please reread the posts. again not "issues"

Bebop...in Mel's original post she brought up the words, legal and/or sexual issues at least 4 times...perhaps you should reread the original post.

Instead of picking my opinion apart...tell us what you believe the point of the original post was.

Actually the point of the original post was that Mel felt embarassed and felt like she didnt belong when she was asked her age upon entering. That is the reason she posted.

I really think the whole thing was misunderstood. nothing was being "discussed" about "issues" as was the opinion of the original poster. miswording maybe? social chat is very different than other chatrooms. if one is not in there to see what is/was happening then maybe people should not jump to defend either party.

I, too, am sorry that anyone doesn't feel welcomed at any time. It does happen, though.

We have been asked not to discuss sensitive issues, specifically sexual ones, in the MAIN ROOM, and to take them to SOCIAL, so be aware of that when you enter the SOCIAL CHAT ROOM.

We're trying to keep the guidelines here and not cause any liability issues for DocJohn, too, you know?

If a chat is discussing sensitive sexual issues and there are minors in there, well, you know, any parent can cause a ruckus over anything but... it just isn't good chat at that time, imo.

It would help if everyone who was a minor was tagged in some way so we could just automatically know, but even that would be unfair, imo. If all the minors would put their age in the profile, that would help. I often check someone's profile when I dont' know them or I'm unsure. Often it lacks any useful information.

I'm sorry anyone is offended. Being a teen and feeling left out is a common issue for teens anywhere. Something we all had to work through on our own I think?

DocJohn has posted a thread in General for all of us about chat rooms.

I hope anyone entering a chat that suddenly shuts down or if they are asked a particular question won't take offense, but realize those already in chat might think you won't appreciate the conversation taking place. Members here do that to/for me. I take no offense.

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Yep...you're right HeyJoe.

I was never going to post anything in this forum.
But me being me...and with everyone else putting in their 2 cents worth...just thought that I may as well add my 2 cents worth too. Seems my 2 cents worth is just bigger and more noticable than most other peoples.

I am a firm believer in "If we are going to go there...lets get down and dirty and go there."

What could have been dealt with simply with a hug for Mel, who felt out of place...in a place she usually felt welcomed in...wasn't.

Then other people started to attack other people for their opinions and so on and so on. That seems to be acceptable behavior here...hmmm.

I used to go into the Chat rooms but I don't anymore...Have you seen me in a chat room for a while HeyJoe? No need for an explanation...that would take a whole other forum.

In short walking into a chatroom here is like entering a mine field...never to sure where to step...a lot like this forum.

So sorry if I ruffled anyone's feathers... not really ...because I think they needed to be ruffled...but I think I did a pretty good job of handling the subject matter. Covered all the bases, don't you think???

Like I said to myself when I first read this forum when everyone was still in early spew..."I'm not touching that with a ten foot pole"...but I did. That's the one thing about people...they like to drag you down to their level and then beat you up for being there.

I could probably go on and on forever in this forum...doing the shuck and jive back and forth; but I've had my fill. Take care everyone...nice talking with you.

Since we now have a thread in General about the chatrooms, and since the thread here has deviated from Sexual issues, this thread seems done.

(((((( Mel ))))))

ray I think you are right hon. it just seems to me personally that the people that are really jumping here were not in the chatroom especially at the time. not being able to get points across just upsets people me included. when nothing is going on in social there is no issue with the teens being there imo. some people think I don't like teens and that could not be further from the truth. some of my good friends are teens and yes they do need adults at times. my whole point is that when sexual content, not issues are being flung around in a joking manner then the teens just don't need to be there. let's face it here, alot of our teens here are 15 and under and personally if my teen were to be in a chatroom where people were talking about sex and sizes and such I would not want them in there and would try my best to shut down the site. it is for their protection that people say anything at all. I just want people to understand my position on this. close it if you must.

((( bee )))
(This isn't in reply directed at you.)

After conferring with admin, I'm going to go ahead and lock this thread since we have one started in General by DocJohn. Here is the thread.

Thanks,
Rayna