Actually I think "argue" was the wrong word for me to use, "debate" would be better.

Also I think many younger people come here due to curiosity, most know what they are looking for, but I agree that parental guidance is needed.

Originally posted by mamabeth
If your parents had kept a closer watch on you,while on the internet,
you wouldn't have had as many problems.You have to be careful what
you reveal on the internet.There are a lot of predators out there,hunting
for young kids.

The age releasing generally came from detail needed when signing up, not that I gave my age away. But aye you are probably right...


But I would counter with this, if my parents had told me about the 'bad people' and kept an eagle eye on my activities, then what they said would always just be a story...one I might not believe. Since I had to deal with the situation I know its true, but more than that, I have relatively good luck at spooting who is genuine and who is not, and if I'm wrong I know how to deal with it.

(I suppose I am in the camp of not 'wrapping kids in cotton wool' as my television coincidentally just said.)

[edit on 3-9-2009 by StevenDye]

Me?
A valid email address and Have At It.

Aside from adhering to and posting within the rather minimal constraints of the T&C agreed to, ALL opinions are welcomed and desired. (?)

During my 4+ years on these boards (the only that I've participated on or felt a desire to play a part therein) I've seen some rather youthful individuals blow their elders out of the water ... time and again.

Age would seem somewhat irrelevant in today's Binary age, with that which is expressed and/or contributed being mOar the focal point. One's position or point mattering moar than their tenure on this big rock we spin 'round on. (?)

Often times I've encountered or noticed an apparent youthful member Totally owning their detractors via posts, topical knowledge, understanding and/or the means by which they convey such.

Contrary to the same, I've seen much more tenured or senior members make absolute asses of themselves whilst attempting to discredit or find fault(s) with the same.

Age?
We don't need no friggin' age requirement(s).

Put forth your best efforts and allow them to stand as a testament to the same. Simple as that.

???

I love ATS because most of the time we do not know whether the post comes from male or female, old or young or any where in between.

This way I pay attention to what the poster says without preconceived ideas about where he/she is coming from.

Yes, eventually we do learn about some of the more frequent posters, but I would not want an age barrier for the young.

Iam 15 so I wouldn't agree to a age restriction lol

Originally posted by influx.destruction
Iam 15 so I wouldn't agree to a age restriction lol

Some people feel uncomfortable debating with children.Children
have knowledge,but no real experience in life issues.
Several topics on this forum are not really meant for children
to see or read.Parents really need to keep up with what their
children are doing on the internet.

thats true what age would you limit to, 18 or 21.

can it be that bad kids see alot worse things and read alot worse things.

just roll with it, i say.

Originally posted by thecrow001
thats true what age would you limit to, 18 or 21.

can it be that bad kids see alot worse things and read alot worse things.

just roll with it, i say.

Personally,I would say 18 for minimum age requirement.
But,it wouldn't be realistic,people would just lie about their
age.

Originally posted by TeslaandLyne
Isn't there a TV program about being smarter than a fifth grader.
So it might be hard to screen anyone with a barrage of questions.
There was a computer game that tried to make it adult by asking
history questions at the beginning.
You put in an age and you get three questions that match your age.
Perhaps level of education should be in question as well.

In the end the kids find all the answers and get in anyway.

This thread is not about intelligence,it's about age requirements.
I just watched,several episodes of,'Are You Smarter Than a 5th
grader',I was humbled,trust me! I didn't realize how much I have
forgotten over the years.2nd grade grammar and 4th grade math.
Boy,do I need a refresher course.

For all those who believe that younger people are not intelligent or 'mature' enough to have a right of place on this site, I ask you this;

What makes you any better than them?

You believe that people under the age of 18 should not have right of free speech on a public board that is practically built upon that right. You are saying that right up until 18, even the day just before their 18th birthday, 'children' are useless people who have absolutely no useful knowledge, insight or contribution.

You should not judge the majority of 'children' by the minority who chose to disrupt others and generally make asses of themselves. Who are you to decide whether others may read or contribute to conversations? What about those few adults who act worse than those kids you insist on silencing? By your own reasoning, those above 18 should also be blocked, simply because there are a few who are pricks.

I believe that Men and women are equal, all races are equal, the rich and the poor are equal and children, teenagers, adults and the elderly are all equal.



Roswell.

Young or Old isn't a factor... its the level of wisdom and perspective to a subject(s) that can help contribute to the forums.

perspective, perspective, perspective.... that doesn't come with age. it comes with understanding, dropping beliefs for a moment, and opening your eyes to a different light... even if its for a minute.

or two

[edit on 9/6/2009 by ugie1028] SPELLING

[edit on 9/6/2009 by ugie1028]

Wow, if there were age requirements, their would have been no TheMythLives and how sad would that be? I just turned 18 last month... Could you imagine an ATS without TheMythLives, I surely can't....

No age requirments required. Because lets face it, after all its just a number. Anyway and basically.

Say NO to age requirements.

[edit on Sep 6th 2009 by TheMythLives]

When I was a teen-ager,I wanted to write science fiction and horror
stories.I wrote a few good ones when I was 13,I was also punished
for writting them.I read one of my stories in class and my parents
were contacted by my school.
I was never encouraged to write much after that,my creative spirit
had been broken.
I don't want to be responsible for causing some kid to lose their
creative spirit,I know what it's like!

Originally posted by mamabeth
I wonder if ATS should have a minimum age requirement for members?

I ask this because of a thread I was on recently.I had a couple of exchanges
with another member,then discovered he was only 17 years old. I try to
make it a rule,not to argue with children.I will listen to a child,but I won't
argue with one.

You know, I'm tired of being treated like I'm nothing, and I don't have opinions just because I am younger than someone else. Treat us like you would someone your own age, do not treat us any different because of our age.

Originally posted by influx.destruction
Iam 15 so I wouldn't agree to a age restriction lol

Someone around my age, there aren't many of them around here.