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I just searched AB TOS about age requirements. Why are there so many under age people asking Qs? And shouldn't there be a flag for underage use? I like young people, but really... TOS should apply to everyone.

By cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Asked Aug 13 2009 1:26PM
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Top Answer out of 9

by BigDaddyBS on Aug 27, 2009 at 11:26 am Permalink

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Yes, it should. BUT there are problems.

from the blog at http://www.answerbag.com/blog/comments/204 (#38 & 39)
#38 - what about keeping those under the age of 14 from joining AB?
#39 - How, exactly, do you propose that be done?

People don't like to give their credit card numbers to sites JUST to prove their age. so, there's no real other way to do it.

Therefore, AB, as many other sites, rely on the honesty of users to enter their information correctly. AB DOES require a birth date. If the user enters an "incorrect" birth date, how is that AB's fault.

The other problem AB has is that sometimes a member of the correct age, will allow their younger brother or sister to ask a question, rather than asking it for them. OR the younger one gets onto their siblings' or parents' account and "goes to town". How can AB protect against that?

So, we have people, as you've noticed on this blog, who pay attention to questions and answers, and, when underage people make mistakes by referring to their age, referring to their grade, referring to various other things, they are usually reported, and taken off the site.

and

from http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/4541849

For your example (comment at http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/4541729 - "ex. "whatis the average penis size of a 4 year old" there is another one that asks about a 12 year old i believe. I think these questions are innappropriate to be asking. You cant prove that its a 12 year old or some 40 year old pervert."), it may seem inappropriate to you, but to a mother whose husband was, shall we say "small", she may be worried about her son's size when he's grown.

You're right in that we have no idea whether the person asking (or answering) is a pervert or not. By the same token, that type of question is not that titillating or arousing, so why would they ask it, and why would a pervert risk detection by answering?

AB is a self-policing site. If you feel that certain questions are inappropriate in the "normal" AB, remember that there's an "Adults only" AB. You can either use the Wrong Category flag to suggest moving them, or FEEDBACK at the bottom of the page of the question you are worried about, and on the feedback page, making your suggestion or complaint.

FYI: Minors (14-16) are PROBABLY the vast majority of those asking about "size", and many are probably doing so to get reactions such as yours. They tease and discuss it among themselves, and some are truly worried about it... And the minimum age that is supposed to be on AB is 14 (see the TOU). Again, if you find any younger on here, use feedback from their profile, and point it out.

So, should they be removed and those people who asked them banned? No. AB is a site to find answers to all questions. What about the answerers? Should they be banned? What about those who answered them in good faith, and in a true attempt to be helpful? No. If you don't like a section, stay out of it. For example, I very seldom enter into the AB4Adults section. I've placed questions in there through moderation, but...

You DO have to have a slightly open mind about many questions here. If you don't, maybe AB isn't for you.

and

from http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/5672805 (comments)

Of COURSE kids can lie about their age, just as many adults can and do.

Just because they don't, or they slip and state in a question or answer their age makes no difference.
The reason for the age limit is because of some of the conversations, images, videos, etc., on AB, are more "adult", and as in the movie ratings, it's to protect AB from legal recourse for pandering to children. It's also to help protect those children from some of the predators out there. If they lie about their age... Well, that's like lying about your age to get into the Army, right? It's not the ARMY'S fault that YOU lied.

and

from http://www.answerbag.co.uk/a_view/4653689 (comments)

The problem is, if the TOU states an age, and a website knowingly lets people in UNDER that age, they can be liable for any problems that occur, or any advice given that person. Why are YOU asking that we allow rules to be broken, and possibly cause AB to be sued/shut down for allowing those underage (by their own statements, mind you), to knowingly break them? (Think child safety online.) Now, I'm not sure of the reason for the arbitrary age, unless it's a law in another country, as in the US, they've struck down COPA.
.
But if a site makes rules, and you don't wish follow them, you're always welcome to leave.

**

(Sorry if not all of the above applies to your question. These are at least some of those places I've answered others, and I know most of it DOES apply. And, since much of it was in comments and the blog, it is not available in an answer, so... I hope I covered everything! LOL)

And, yes. The TOU should (and DOES) apply to everyone. ;-)
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Avatar cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Aug, 28 2009 at 12:01 PM
Thank you for the response BigDaddyBS. +6
I wasn't asking the Q for any of the reasons you pointed out. I come across a ton of stuff that states (paraphrase: "I'm 12 Y.O. and.....", or, "My B/F is pressuring me to have sex, I'm 12."
That kind of stuff should be flagged as juvenile (underage) or not appropos.
I do have an open mind.
If AB is a sting site (and I've considered this already) for nabbing child molesters, certainly the owners wouldn't want this known. I have answered Qs that appear to be from young people, and have had some strange responses.
Well, so much for taking some things seriously. Just call me occasionally naive.
Avatar BigDaddyBS Aug, 28 2009 at 01:21 PM
I really don't think they're a "sting site". I think they have problems with kids coming on, because their parents do, their older siblings, classmates have, etc.
.
As for any of those that state they are 12, 13, or younger, when you run across them, check the questions out. If you believe they really are under-age, report them in the blog, to a CL, or to admin@answerbag.com. That's what most of us do. ;-)
Avatar Just Plain Barb Aug, 28 2009 at 03:04 PM
Good advice as always BigDaddy!

Answer 2 out of 9

by LarryH54 on Aug 13, 2009 at 1:31 pm Permalink

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True, but logistically it's probably not practical. Unless you want to risk your credit card number here.
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Avatar cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Aug, 13 2009 at 01:37 PM
Do you mean to say make people pay to use site to avoid the kiddies?
I could see how that would work - and work NOT in favor of site.
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I have flagged some responses that were really heinous (legally and morally so) that came off kid questions. Kids will be kids, but hey, have you read some of that crap????? (probably, yes you have: "Could I be pregnant?" "What about my bunny?" "Please help me with my homework.")
Oh sheesh, I sound like an intolerant old bat.
and it isn't meant that way.....
Avatar cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Aug, 28 2009 at 12:02 PM
BTW +6

Answer 3 out of 9

by Vunessuh on Aug 27, 2009 at 11:36 am Permalink

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Stupid question: What does TOS mean?
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Avatar IntotheForge Aug, 27 2009 at 11:49 AM
Terms of Service: the contract you agree to when you use the site.
Avatar Vunessuh Aug, 27 2009 at 11:53 AM
Oh right right right.
Thanks.

Answer 4 out of 9

by gtravels loves her life penguin on Aug 13, 2009 at 1:31 pm Permalink

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The only way they're really going to know if someone is under age is if they admit it. Those who do get their accounts removed by administration.
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Avatar cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Aug, 28 2009 at 12:03 PM
thank you. +6

Answer 5 out of 9

by Wide Awake @ got 2nd house choice on Aug 13, 2009 at 1:28 pm Permalink

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One can click on the feedback button below to report an underage user.
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Answer 6 out of 9

by Firebrand on Aug 27, 2009 at 11:34 am Permalink

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Unless a young person admits they are underage there is not really any way that the Staff can know exactly how old a person is.

At one time most of the top users and by that I mean Sages because that was the top level, were very young. At least one of them was only twelve, three or four of them only 13 and they were posting more intelligent and mature stuff than most of the adults. That was in the days that Answerbag was a Knowledge Database not a Social Forum.
I suppose now we get the kind of immature youngsters that we deserve.

It is a shame that the type of questions and language now used are considered unfit for young people.

I do not think it would be worthwhile for them to put in a button for underage. I would like them to put in a button for Duplicate answers first. They have been promising that one for years. Then they would not have to be flagged as Nonsense.
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Avatar Firebrand Aug, 28 2009 at 12:45 PM
Not very much of late. That was something in the old days you always learned something even if it was a question that made you research. I loved that :)
Avatar cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Aug, 31 2009 at 02:33 PM
I've only been here about a year. I don't think I'll hang out much longer. I seem to care less and less myself, although now and then I do have an interesting conversation with someone. Thanks! Hope to talk to you another day.
Avatar Firebrand Aug, 31 2009 at 02:40 PM
Thank you very much :)

Answer 7 out of 9

by Just Plain Barb on Aug 27, 2009 at 9:41 am Permalink

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When user's sign up (or enter the Adult Area), they agree to the TOS age requirements. Here's a link to it: http://www.orangefrogproductions.com...

The only way AB will know if someone is under age is if they admit to it some way. When that is discovered, they are Penalty Boxed.

If any AB'er notices an under age user, they can alert any CL who will handle it (or use the Feedback link at the bottom of each page to notify Admin.). That is extremely helpful in keeping kids under 14 out of the regular area of AB or under 18 out of the Adult area.
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Avatar Just Plain Barb Aug, 27 2009 at 01:00 PM
I asked for BigDaddy's help on this one Therapist ... I had never been asked that before. Please see his answer!!
Avatar cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Aug, 28 2009 at 12:14 PM
Thanks Mrs C. +6
Avatar Just Plain Barb Aug, 28 2009 at 12:27 PM
You're welcome cunning!!

Answer 8 out of 9

by Civic Cat on Aug 27, 2009 at 9:11 am Permalink

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If I were a few decades younger and underage, I might avail of this site, and other sites, as well.
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Avatar cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Aug, 28 2009 at 12:15 PM
LOL. +6. A good, quiet chuckle.

Answer 9 out of 9

by Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog on Aug 13, 2009 at 1:36 pm Permalink

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I agree that there should be a flag, just like the 'nonsense' and 'spam' flags. It would be quicker than using the feedback link.
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Avatar cunning stunt now u c me then u dont Aug, 13 2009 at 01:39 PM
Yes. I am not sure how to use the feedback link. Should I be reading more? LOL
Thanks for answering. +6


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I just searched AB TOS about age requirements. Why are there so many under age people asking Qs? And shouldn't there be a flag for underage use? I like young people, but really... TOS should apply to everyone.

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