Age Restrictions needed on ATS

Then there are those like me, who joke and are super bubbly, when most dont know i am....shall we say, middle age if i'm going to live to be 100.

Hmmm...anyway, i find the young ones here very informative and very articulate. Of course there are exceptions and those sooner or later get the boot.

You really cant go by personality types, imo. Some very young sound about 70 so as long as everyone abides by the T&C rules, we are ok.

My daughter joined this site in Nov 08 she was 16 then,,and has her birthday on her profile,,nothing has been said about her age,,but then she dont really come here that much now.

I think theres for's and against under age visiting this site,,sometimes if a teenager is troubled they could possibly get some sound advice here but even if they dont get good advice or read anything that helps and makes them worse,,at the end of the day their with their parents and their there to keep an eye on their child.

If an adult is troubled here 9 times out of 10 they either get ignored/mocked or called a liar,or just dont get the advice they seek,an adult who is troubled and has no-one to turn to is more likely to do harm to either themselves or others.

I completely disagree with the idea of age restrictions of ATS, a site like this can seriously help some people find out who they are and make them think about things that society doesn’t give them a chance to.

Like me I only started thinking about things like why im here in this world or where do we all come from for example once I found this site, before I was just like everyone else who cared about the less important things in life.

The more younger people ATS has the better, the more are awake and aware then.

Most likely this has a lot to do with the kids being on holiday break from school and with nothing better to do.

In the event we wanted to wean the ranks of ATS threads with these youngsters all we'd have to do is begin quizzing them with a few basic high school level questions.

Most likely they'd run away in droves !!


For example:

Answer any two correctly and you're in.....

1) Who was the protagonist in J D Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye ?

2) Who was the antagonist in F Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby ?

3) What is the formula for the Hypotenuse of a right triangle ?

4) What is the basic mathematical form of a quadratic equation ?

5) In X and Y coordinates, which plane does the x axis occupy ?


For all of you tight a**e* out there, before I get blasted with negativity, this is merely a joke, simply making light of the topic at hand !

Happy New Year everyone !!!!!!

I'm all for age restrictions!

Especially for the senile and demented like me. I should have been booted long ago and I'm only 39....corny old Jack Benny joke....tell you anything?

It's the younger members with their wit, sarcasm, and take on contemporary culture that makes this site vibrant and entertaining.

A lot of the old geezers are intellectually constipated.

I understand your concern on this issue. But I don't see why it should be essential to add Age Restrictions to ATS. We can all learn from each other, whenever we're young or old. Youngsters seek knowledge from adults, which is in their nature, but then; no adults know everything about the world from the youngsters perspective, neither does youngsters know much about the adults perspective.

Ain't it nice to know that you get to view the world in many perspectives? This is what ATS is all about: Discussion.

ATS is one whole family.

reply to post by kcfusion


Its an all ages site hence why i said considered.
I do agree partially in that I doubt a family would sit around the computer talking about conspiracy theories.
They would more then likely play a board game or watch tv I would imagine.
But again to me all ages means a family site.

reply to post by moocowman


I can't believe you posted this.This is a family(Addam's type)forum.All
ages are welcome,I learned that lesson a couple of months ago.

OK. Now, let me zoom in a little more here.

I am not talking, so much, about the input given by younger visitors.

I am talking about what they are being exposed to. By that, I am not focusing, for now, on topics and subject matter.

I am worried about the kids that are already in a vulnerable position concerning self, religion, fears, politics, sex, depression, etc. They are scared out of their wits already! Maybe even in need of real help. Then they come here, and are probably exposed to a good 500 other topics that most certainly have a component of fear involved.

And, for the sake of conversation, let's all agree that, for the most part, an over 18 restriction isn't stopping anybody that has decided to come in here.

Let's also agree that many young people just are not equipped to engage in some of these conversations, with some of these subjects.

The internet is an "Unnatural" ingredient in life today. And, to some extent, it invades all of our lives. But, it is also an Unnatural Ingredient in the raising of our children.

Having a child or young person, exposed to hundreds of different people and their views, is a terrifying prospect under the best of circumstances. There is nothing normal or healthy about it.

Now, take those same hundreds of people, and consider that they are not taking into consideration that their are young members viewing their posts.

Or, focus on the fact that in many cases, younger people are actually going to act, or adhere to views and advice from members of this board. Even if the member is healthy and sane, getting advice from anonymous strangers is not the most solid strategy.

The next possibility, is that a kid is REALLY having a problem, which I have seen in these forums. And, after airing this problem, has been exposed to, well, INSANITY from some of these members. And, the kid has taken it seriously.

DO NOT tell me that this is ok, or nobody's business, or the way the internet works, or any other blather.

For a website that seems dedicated to exposing problems, finding solutions, filled with members that (some of them) work day and night, researching subject matter, and actually CARING about problems in our world, I am feeling a lot of apathy concerning this situation.

Today, our kids are living in a "laboratory". The environments, information, obstacles, expectations, subject-exposure and tools for living, are all new and artificial. No culture alive today has any experience in the dynamics of a child growing up the way our children are growing up.

And, this is fully apparent by the obvious way things are progressing.

I wish I'd had access to this forum as a kid. The adults around me had proved they couldn't be trusted, and I desperately wanted to discover what made people tick. I knew the odd things I was seeing must have some logical explanation. Surely people couldn't be as insane as they seemed ...

(I did not have a regular childhood.)

Now, looking back, I can see there was logic to it all. The adults around me were angry, frightened, greedy for money and power.
- Just like the average politician.

So I believe we should make people of all ages welcome, if they can post politely. However mods should be stricter about removing sarcastic or belittling posts which add nothing to a thread.

reply to post by LASTofTheV8s


I understand what you're saying but ...

Kids are much more able to process apocryphal information than adults, for they don't yet have years and years of egoic positions at stake when they are confronted with life changing facts.

Now, what does that mean? Does it mean we should shelter them in a room forever?

That, in any case, is a parental decision ... not a forum operator's decision. Yes, the subject matters can often be challenging for younger members, ATS T&C protects them from all the really nasty stuff that a young'un can encounter across the internet ... ultimately that is all that can be expected of them.

reply to post by LASTofTheV8s


I see where you're coming from. Most of the ATS staff are parents. We keep our eyes open for the younger members. We know what it's like for kids today. We're raising them. I have 3 teens myself. My oldest has been a member here for years.

reply to post by LASTofTheV8s

Having a child or young person, exposed to hundreds of different people and their views, is a terrifying prospect under the best of circumstances. There is nothing normal or healthy about it.

So what do you propose? Lock the kid away from all outside stimuli and opinions. OK but please don't place restrictions on my kid to get all the information he can and make his Own damn decisions as to what advise to follow.

What you are proposing is censorship. No thanks!





[edit on 6-1-2010 by whaaa]

Originally posted by LASTofTheV8s
. . .
I am not talking, so much, about the input given by younger visitors.

I am talking about what they are being exposed to. By that, I am not focusing, for now, on topics and subject matter.
. . .
And, for the sake of conversation, let's all agree that, for the most part, an over 18 restriction isn't stopping anybody that has decided to come in here.

Let's also agree that many young people just are not equipped to engage in some of these conversations, with some of these subjects.
. . .

It sounds like the only thing that will make you happy is to ban ATS.

However it's possible that ATS could be beneficial to a child brought up in an over-protective or stultifying situation. It's better for a child to have a mature adult with whom they can discuss new ideas, than to be denied exposure to such ideas.

reply to post by LASTofTheV8s


Like many others I understand your concern. The only way to solve this problem neatly is to do what is the usual way. It is the responsibility of the parents. They should check what their child is doing on the computer.

Install a website-lock on the ATS-site for the child...just like you should do on porn-sites.

ATS or members can not be held accountable for what your kid is reading here.

Originally posted by schrodingers dog
Kids are much more able to process apocryphal information than adults, for they don't yet have years and years of egoic positions at stake when they are confronted with life changing facts.

Respectfully, how do you know this to be true? The amount of doom and gloom and fear, that is present in the world today, to say nothing of the way a site like this can literally "funnel" all of it directly into a young mind, with no filters or guidance, has never, in the history of our planet, existed before.
There is no way to say that it is good for a kid. And, if it is EVER decided to be so, that should be made by a parent. Not by hundreds of online forum "babysitters".

Originally posted by intrepid
I see where you're coming from. Most of the ATS staff are parents. We keep our eyes open for the younger members. We know what it's like for kids today. We're raising them. I have 3 teens myself. My oldest has been a member here for years.

This is a totally different scenario. You are actually involved, and can guide, explain, and in some cases divert the focus of your child.
I would imagine that if your child posted a thread about how they were going to take up "Vampirism", or they have been getting abducted on a nightly basis, or was joining a group of "Indigo People", you would be there to act upon it, and make sure that "BloodAxe272" was not advising your child. (don't worry, I made up "BloodAxe272")
But, you see my point. You are right there, with your kid. And, maybe your kid does not have some of the issues that I have seen some of the kids in these forums struggling with, or looking for answers about.
Or, showing signs of.

Originally posted by whaaa
So what do you propose? Lock the kid away from all outside stimuli and opinions. OK but please don't place restrictions on my kid to get all the information he can and make his Own damn decisions as to what advise to follow.
What you are proposing is censorship. No thanks![edit on 6-1-2010 by whaaa]

There is no way to lock the kid away from all outside stimuli and opinions. And, if you want no restrictions on your kid, and want them to make all of their own damn decisions, good luck to you guys! Enjoy.
It is not "Censorship". I am talking about filtering what these kids are exposed to. If that outrages you, you are kind of proving my point, as to how bad we need to do it.
In some cases, parents and the kids may not know what is best for them.

Originally posted by Kailassa
It sounds like the only thing that will make you happy is to ban ATS.

However it's possible that ATS could be beneficial to a child brought up in an over-protective or stultifying situation. It's better for a child to have a mature adult with whom they can discuss new ideas, than to be denied exposure to such ideas.

I never said anything about banning ATS. Not sure what you mean.
And, who is going to be there to tell the child which posts are "fact-based" and informative or healthy, and which posts "fiction", fear-mongering, or just flat out crazy?
And, what "mature adult" are you talking about? Do you mean an ATS member? Are you saying that it's ok for a kid to just end up getting advise and input from any old "mature adult" in here?
I am just going to leave that one up in the air. Because, well, Holy Crap!

Originally posted by zatara
Like many others I understand your concern. The only way to solve this problem neatly is to do what is the usual way. It is the responsibility of the parents. They should check what their child is doing on the computer.

Install a website-lock on the ATS-site for the child...just like you should do on porn-sites.

ATS or members can not be held accountable for what your kid is reading here.

This is a great way to handle it. I have everything locked down, that can be locked down.
But, it is apparent that we are exceptions, and not the rule. Plus, most kids today are as computer-savvy, if not more than their parents.
And, what this comes down to is this:
When we make the decision to leave it up to the parents, does that mean that we turn our heads when we see a problem?

It would accomplish nothing. 90% of the internet is porn, which means 90% of the internet asks you if you are 18, all in takes is a yes.

Besides, I have met PLENTY of people who are younger than me, and younger than 18 who have contributed wonderfullly to this website.

Just look at RavenShadow, she's been here a while and she was under 18 and one of our most prized contributors to the Crytozoology thread. My son who is a very popular member on this website is only 14 and some would think that he's at least 30.

I understand the concern with being a parent and exposing your children to this sort of thing, however it's all about education. I'd rather my son be reading this website and get the views of a hundred people then the views of just one on CNN and other places for information.

This is a treasure trove of knowledge even if some of it is bunk, it provides a valuable lesson to all young folk about how to identify and learn from disinformation.

As for your comments about the doom and gloom stuff, it's your responsiblity as a parent to educate your children about sensationalism and shock journalism. My children understand to take everything with a grain of salt and do their own research before putting any weight into anything.

~Keeper



[edit on 1/6/2010 by tothetenthpower]

I have to say that one of our FSME (forum subject matter experts) has been here a long time and joined as a kid (under 18). Do not short change someone based on their age.

And again, at the end of the day....it is up to parents to control their kid's online surfing. There is not much we can do as a website, since we never really know who is behind that screen name, much less know their age

Even porn sites with the age restrictions listed all over the place including "enter your birthdate here" can not prevent children from visiting.


[edit on January 6th 2010 by greeneyedleo]

This is a site for conspiracy theorists. Good luck trying to get these people to prove their age with any sort of documentation!

Well, obviously almost NONE of you have read what I have written.
I am not shortchanging, trying to boot, disrespecting, or putting down young people.
I am not saying that they have nothing to contribute. Maybe they do. That's beside the point.

I am talking about protecting THEM.

Telling me that there is a 14 year old in here that has made great contributions does not change anything.

Hey, I know some of you are going to take offense to this, but a 14 year old has no business being around some of our members.

There are a lot of you that I am familiar with, and think a kid would get a lot out of conversing with you.

But, it isn't worth the potential harm.

Honestly. You guys do NOT want me to start quoting some of the stuff I am talking about. I'm sure of that. So, at least recognize that I am correct about the stuff I have seen in here.

I have to admit, I think this is one of the more professional, responsibly operated sites of this nature. Which is why I have brought this up.

Out of respect.