18+ section?

[rocking23]

Hey

Not meaning like member created pornography, but has there ever been consideration of a section where us members who are (legally) adults can discuss adult things that may not be allowed in the regular sections were a member who is say 14 could read it?

[Zontar]

Don't we already corrupt the young minds in all the other forums?

If you're talking about a porno section, as awesome as that would be ('cause porno's always awesome), I believe that's a bit outside the scope of the site. =p

[rocking23]

I'm not talking about a porno section at all. I would outline the section as one for (legal) adults talking about adult-related issues that may be unsuitable for a 14 year old member. Sure, topics on pornography would arise, but it wouldn't be a pornograhpic section.

---------- Post added 10th Oct 2011 at 03:53 PM ----------

One could say it's a section where certain EC rules need not apply because 14 year old members, who need the rules for safety etc, wouldn't be in the section to begin with.

[Chip]

If you can give some specific examples of the sorts of (non-porn, non-graphic-sex, non-dating-or-hookup-related) things you think would fit into such a section, but not in other existing sections of EC, I'm sure it's something that could be considered.

My issue is that when I think about it, I have a difficult time coming up with topics that are appropriate for adults that are not appropriate for teens, outside of what's listed above (which are all things that aren't appropriate to EC, regardless of age), so if you can be clearer on what you're talking about, it will make it easier to respond.

[Katt]

Personally, I don't think that would be a good idea. Younger members would find a way to get on the adult section, and thier saftey would be compromised. I think the rules provide a pretty exellent groundwork for the meaning and purpose of the site to be built off of. The idea that everything is completely private, and nothing will be taken off-site, (where members could be abused emotionally by members who don't mean well). Not to say that we all can't fend for ourselves, but I do think the site needs to stay very secure, rule-wise. If that isn't the case on all areas of the site, real issues (legal ones at that) could become prominant.

[Beertruck]

I'm also having a hard time figuring out what would be in an 18+ section besides porn or hookups. I mean, what is there to talk about that we can't talk about in front of teenagers, taxes?

If you're talking about sex-related stuff, there is a health issues section, but I don't think this is the place to kiss and tell. There are plenty of other websites for that.

[Shevanel]

Originally Posted by Beertruck

I mean, what is there to talk about that we can't talk about in front of teenagers, taxes?

Dude, taxes are way too gnarly for underagers.

[Beertruck]

Originally Posted by Shevanel

Dude, taxes are way too gnarly for underagers.

Teenagers only talk about RADICAL things like skateboarding (with proper safety gear, duh!) and how much shoobies suck.

[Jonathan]

I don't think there is a really a need for such a section on EC. If you feel like talking about "adult" things, there are always other forums.

[Lexington]

My personal feelings (and speaking only for myself here)...

First off, I've always done my utmost to treat everybody on here like an adult, no matter what their age. This site's main focus is on sexuality and gender topics, and those are (for lack of a better term) adult topics. And I think it's best to approach them in an adult manner. To me, that means talking factually and frankly, and getting neither overly embarrassed nor heavily "sensual".

Because of this fact, it's my belief that every topic on EC is potentially an "adult" topic. Sure, there are plenty of frivolous topics and even sections (like Fun & Games) here. But every area is potentially "adult" in nature, and therefore the entire site is technically "adult".

Now it may be there are some topics or conversations that won't be intrinsically interesting to your average under-18er. Be it "music of the 80s and 90s", "looking for a boyfriend after college" or even "keeping things interesting in the bedroom five years into a relationship". But I don't think such topics need to be set aside somewhere on EC, and I certainly don't think they need to be placed behind a screen so the under-18ers can't see them. Because (like the others) I can't think of any topic that would need to be shielded from them. There are basically only two categories of things we don't allow on EC - offsite contact information (and any links to sites containing same), and pornography. And I don't think these things need to be introduced into EC, shielded or no.

Furthermore, creating an "18+" area on EC would presumably have some negative effects. Picture there being an area of EC with what amounts to a NO ADMITTANCE sign on it. How would that make you feel? If you're like most folks (especially if you're like most teenagers!), you'd think that's where all the fun stuff was. And so you'd either feel left out...or you'd feel compelled to simply lie about your age upon sign-up in order to access it. And I don't think either result is something we'd want to convey, especially if (as I see it) there's no real reason to put up the fence in the first place.

Lex

[Ben]

One of the major reasons EC was set up was to give younger people a safe place to discuss issues surrounding their sexuality and sexually related things. I think that the frankness of topics discussed about openly on this forum is part of what makes it a valuable resource for people under 18. It's very rare that a topic is deemed 'too adult' for the forum when someone is discussing their sex-life, and usually it's because of the language used, not the topic discussed.

The majority of topics not allowed on the forum due to their 'adult nature' are ones which involve porn, asking people to meet up, basically things which you can find on a million other websites out there if that's what you're looking for. I don't think it's inkeeping with EC's ethos that such a section would exist, both because of the nature of the things which would be discussed and also because we want everyone to feel welcome here.

If there is something you feel would be too adult for the public forum, feel free to post in Ask The Staff and you'll get input from a wide range of staff members. If you want it on the public forum and we think that's fine, it only takes ten seconds to move it. : )

[Hot Pink]

Lexington pretty much said it all. We don't need an adult forum because this is already an adult-themed site. People already talk about porn, safe sex, STD's, and their very real personal lives a lot on the forums. There's no need to create a redundant "adult" forum, besides for porn and personals, as previously said, because the other forums cover the other aspects of the adult lifestyle.

Personally, I would prefer that porn stay off the site, as it tends to drastically change a community as soon as it appears. It would make me uncomfortable and I would probably stop coming here. Personals wouldn't make much sense because we're supposed to stay anonymous. It's literally against the rules to tell people who we are or even give people our instant messenger usernames, so those wouldn't work too well, would they?

[roborama]

There are some topics that get a little ify for the younger crowd but as much as sometimes it's awkward it's really important that younger people on the site have access to things such as sex advice. EC is safe and helpful. If there was an 18+ section, I feel like a lot of the more important topics that people have a hard time finding good advice on elsewhere online would be lost to the teens here. Just my two cents

[Chip]

I don't think anyone need worry about there ever being a porn section or a personals section on EC. As others have said, there are plenty of other places for that, places that can do that sort of thing much better than EC could, so I suspect our staff and powers-that-be will continue to keep our focus on what we're good at and where our primary strengths are.

[sanguine]

i think empty closets is good as it is, the environment isn't run by unruly characters, i post on other forums also who mixed the adult content with the teens which isnt really a major issue either, cause in all retrospect, 18+ sites dont usually prevent people from going in anyways, and finding gay websites online arent usually under 18 years to begin with

and with that said, the advice given and taken are from people around or under 18 years anyways except for the EC moderators

---------- Post added 12th Oct 2011 at 12:23 PM ----------

oh and id like to mention the boundaries, the adults from other forums respect the laws arent willing on any grounds to break them either