Is this Forum for Children?

[Lote-Tree]

Hello Chaps and Chapses,

I have noticed that many posts are being edited and even deleted by moderators in order to prevent offence to anyone. Though such actions are required and necessary sometimes but I believe it should only be for deliberately malicious posts.

What say you?

Perhaps censorship is a good thing here because no gets offended? :-)

[grace86]

Hey Lote, there are so many different people on this forum. Yes, there are also many children here. I think I met an eleven year old once. So the moderators find it necessary to watch and/or edit some posts.

The mods also try to prevent debates from becoming personal attacks. It is understandable.

[Lote-Tree]

Hey Lote, there are so many different people on this forum. Yes, there are also many children here.


Then there is a need for Adult section here ? :-)



The mods also try to prevent debates from becoming personal attacks.


Deliberate and malicious personal attacks yes indeed need to be moderated.
But I have seen posts are being deleted edited for minor things.

[grace86]

Hehe I've never had any posts edited, so I cannot really say ;)

[Lote-Tree]

Hehe I've never had any posts edited, so I cannot really say ;)

Then you must be very boring in your posts :-)

Is that offensive grace? :-)

[SleepyWitch]

i think some posts are edited because they refer to current politics.
as for personal attacks, I can live with them myself. I don't mind if people offend me. after all, this is an online forum, not real life, and I like a good fight.

so personally I don't mind if people attack me. but I don't like it when they insult others because some members are easier to hurt than me.

[Moira]

i think some posts are edited because they refer to current politics.
as for personal attacks, I can live with them myself. I don't mind if people offend me. after all, this is an online forum, not real life, and I like a good fight.

so personally I don't mind if people attack me. but I don't like it when they insult others because some members are easier to hurt than me.

But did you feel personally attacked in the past?
Or what could offend you? Or any other member ........

And yes some people get offended easier than others.

[SleepyWitch]

But did you feel personally attacked in the past?
Or what could offend you? Or any other member ........

And yes some people get offended easier than others.

nope not really.. the only thing that will drive me up the wall is racial/"national"/religious prejudice... i don't know if this counts as "personal", though.
what drives me mad is when people say things like "60 years ago in Germany you would have said the same about homosexuals" (hello, Turk :wave: but in this case, it seems to have been a misunderstanding...

another thing I don't find amusing is when people from other countries (e.g. U.S. , U.K. etc) are enthusiastic about Nazi books (e.g. Mein Kampf) and don't understand that Germans think that's a daft idea.
that's something I take personally, but probably it's not a personal attack per se.

nope, I've never been personally attacked as in "Hey Sleepy, you're so dumb.
but if that happened, I wouldn't take it too seriously

[papayahed]

When I come to litnet I expect there are kids of all ages and from many different parts of the world and that some subjects might not be appropriate. If I want to talk about politics or other certain subjects I go elsewhere.

I have been attacked on other forums but I would expect that from that particular website.

[Niamh]

I think the whole censorship thingy is a great idea. We have to take into consideration that there are many young people here and we are all from different backrounds and have different ideas and beliefs. Disrespecting someone because you think that they should think as you do is not right and neither personally attacking someone. In these cases its right that the mods are here to make sure everything is kept in line and within reason. Three cheers for the Mods!:D
Sometimes i find it very hard not to get offended here. Thankfully i've never totally flipped the lid at someone, but i have been edited, which in context, i truely understand.:nod: :blush: First major booboo!

[Scheherazade]

This Forum is not for children only; it is open to people of all ages, cultural, social and religious backgrounds and we do our best to make sure everyone feels welcome here.

To achieve this, the Forum Rules (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/announcement.php?s=&forumid=9), which, I am sure, you have all read while signing up, clearly state that discussion of current politics is not allowed and personal attacks on any individual(s) or groups will not be tolerated. And unfortunately, we cannot adjust those rules for members' individual preferences.

Having said that, our Age Poll (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21084) shows that at the moment more than 40% of the Forum population is teenagers. Many come here to seek help with their homeworks. We have many teacher who bring their students here for online discussions.

[Lote-Tree]

I think the whole censorship thingy is a great idea.


LOL :-) Then you can't say a thing because everything you say would be offensive to someone. You might as well count sheeps Niamh :-)



We have to take into consideration that there are many young people here and we are all from different backrounds and have different ideas and beliefs.


And if these beliefs are expressed they will be indeed challenged won't they?
Or should we just write our opinions and go away? won't that be really boring? What would the point of it all :-)



Disrespecting someone because you think that they should think as you do is not right and neither personally attacking someone.


You don't have to attack anyone personally. But you can really trash their beliefs with an argument.



Sometimes i find it very hard not to get offended here.


I shall try with you :-)
Just kiddin :-)



Thankfully i've never totally flipped the lid at someone


Neither have I in all the forums I have visited :-)



, but i have been edited, which in context, i truely understand.:nod: :blush: First major booboo!

LOL :-)

[SleepyWitch]

heheh, I suppose I'm really lucky Scher hasn't caught on to Virgil's and my discussion of human reproduction yet :) :D


Many come here to seek help with their homeworks. We have many teacher who bring their students here for online discussions.
is there an official mods' guideline for dealing with those kids?
I think I've got to answer for the disappearance of one or two of them :blush:
i mean, some kids sign up and their first and only post is "I've got an English essay due tomorrow. I need your help. Be creative!!!!".. they don't even bother to say what their topic is exactly and don't say PLEASE or THANK YOU...
I mean, I'm willing to help people who know what their essay is supposed to be about and have done some research themselves.
but as for those who haven't lifted a finger themselves, it wouldn't do them any good in the long run if I "helped" them....
I've been very rude to this kind of people and I've even seen moderators being very straightforward/slightly rude with those kids...

[Scheherazade]

is there an official mods' guideline for dealing with those kids? Helping others is a 'charitable' act; if you are having a good day, you are more likely to offer help others. :D

However, as Sleepy has mentioned, there are some who come here simply to ask for help and fail even to do that 'graciously'... 'I need a 500 words essay on Shakespeare's use of imagery in Romeo and Juliet asap... It is due tomorrow morning and I haven't even read it...LOL!!!' is not very likely to get much help from anyone (including Mods *gasp*) It is hard to offer any sort of help to someone who have not done their readings or initial research!

[Stanislaw]

I've been censored beofre (with good reason too on some occasion heh heh)

I can see the need for keeping this site all ages, and if you do want to squable there be always the pm's and other boards...so, IMO we come here by choice, and no one is telling us to come here, so in effect we are guests and must play by the rules (though sometimes we may push the boundries we must respect them) :thumbs_up

[Niamh]

LOL :-) Then you can't say a thing because everything you say would be offensive to someone. You might as well count sheeps Niamh :-)

:lol:


And if these beliefs are expressed they will be indeed challenged won't they?
Or should we just write our opinions and go away? won't that be really boring? What would the point of it all :-)

You don't have to attack anyone personally. But you can really trash their beliefs with an argument.

Of course they will be challanged and questioned, but generally telling someone their beliefs are wrong(esspecially in a religious context) is different.


I shall try with you :-)
Just kiddin :-)

better be!:p

[kathycf]

Then there is a need for Adult section here ? :-)

Deliberate and malicious personal attacks yes indeed need to be moderated.
But I have seen posts are being deleted edited for minor things.
You know, I just don't get what the problem is. First off, how could you enforce an "adult only" sub-section of a website? I understand some websites are completely set up for adults only, but how are the folks who run this site supposed to enforce keeping kids out of the supposed adult section? They can't very well check ID cards?

To me, membership here is strictly voluntary, as is posting. If folks don't like it, they are certainly free to go elsewhere, or start their own message board. Sorry, not trying to be a jerk, but please. Yes, sometimes the rules chafe at me too, but oh well. I am too lazy to start my own message board. :)

There is an old saying that goes something like...you can't please all of the people all of the time. The site is what it is, and I don't think I would want it to change.

[grace86]

No Lote...no offense taken...assuming you were joking ;)

I have noticed all those students though creating an account, asking for help and then all of a sudden disappearing.

[Lote-Tree]

No Lote...no offense taken...assuming you were joking ;)

Of course in expectation of a witty reply back :-)

[quote]
I have noticed all those students though creating an account, asking for help and then all of a sudden disappearing.

Kids - they have such a easy life with internet these days. In my days we have to travel to a library and plod through books and books to get any help for school work!!!

Now you can type in Google and get your answers in an instant!!!
Damn you Google!!!


You know, I just don't get what the problem is. First off, how could you enforce an "adult only" sub-section of a website? I understand some websites are completely set up for adults only, but how are the folks who run this site supposed to enforce keeping kids out of the supposed adult section? They can't very well check ID cards?

To me, membership here is strictly voluntary, as is posting. If folks don't like it, they are certainly free to go elsewhere, or start their own message board. Sorry, not trying to be a jerk, but please. Yes, sometimes the rules chafe at me too, but oh well. I am too lazy to start my own message board. :)

There is an old saying that goes something like...you can't please all of the people all of the time. The site is what it is, and I don't think I would want it to change.

Everything evolves or else Football would not have evolved into Rugby (or is it the other way round?) :-)

[Niamh]

Everything evolves or else Football would not have evolved into Rugby (or is it the other way round?) :-)

think its the other way around.:p

[kathycf]

Everything evolves or else Football would not have evolved into Rugby (or is it the other way round?) :-)
So you read my post and the last line is the only thing you felt worthy of comment? :rolleyes: We aren't discussing rugby or anything of the kind. We were (I thought) discussing the site. Obviously things evolve, but if you want to "evolve" or change the rules of a site you don't pay the bills on...good luck.

The thing is, you think it should be one way, somebody else thinks the site should have this other feature and the third person thinks the first two are nuts. There are always going to be people who aren't happy with one aspect or another. It is impossible to make everybody completely happy with every single aspect of a site like this. As I say, there is no law compelling anybody to be here.

You know something, I am a moderator at a very small forum, with rules similiar to here. We maintain the site to be all ages "friendly" and thusly, rules are enforced. It is a real pain sometimes, because every once in a while people go on and on about their "freedom of speech" but the rules are there to make the site congenial. It is not a democracy, it is a privately owned and operated entity and there is no freedom of speech. We encourage people to post what they like with the understanding that it is within the context of forum rules. Most have no problem enjoying the site, the few that abuse it are dealt with.

I am not saying I agree with every single rule and policy here...because it is impossible to please everybody. I am not saying it is wrong to question policies, but what real purpose would an adult section of this site serve? (never mind how feasible or practical it would be to actually implement such an idea). Flaming? Profanity? Is that truly grownup behavior?

I am also not being a kiss*** or a brown noser. All I can say, Lote, is if you want a forum with the sort of rules and policies you think it ought to have, start your own. I apologize if I seem ill tempered about this, but you really struck a nerve with me about this.

[kiz_paws]

Everything evolves or else Football would not have evolved into Rugby (or is it the other way round?) :-)

Well, that would depend on what 'football' we are speaking of.... in Canada, the football is that oblong ball with pointed ends.... did that evolve into rugby... not lately... :lol:

[Lote-Tree]

So you read my post and the last line is the only thing you felt worthy of comment?


All your lines are worthy of comment Kath - I just picked one that is worthiest :-)



:rolleyes: We aren't discussing rugby or anything of the kind. We were (I thought) discussing the site. Obviously things evolve, but if you want to "evolve" or change the rules of a site you don't pay the bills on...good luck.


Yes, we are not discussing rugby. I was refering how things change. As for paying bills - without us there would be no forum. It is the members that make it what is. The Bill Payers may own the playing field but it is the players that make it lively and fun and we do it for FREE - how's that for Generosity :-)



The thing is, you think it should be one way, somebody else thinks the site should have this other feature and the third person thinks the first two are nuts. There are always going to be people who aren't happy with one aspect or another. It is impossible to make everybody completely happy with every single aspect of a site like this. As I say, there is no law compelling anybody to be here.


I am not asking anything to be changed. I put foward it as a discussion that is all so that we can be aware the need for rules etc...



I am also not being a kiss*** or a brown noser. All I can say, Lote, is if you want a forum with the sort of rules and policies you think it ought to have, start your own.

I am not asking Kath anything to be changed. As for starting a forum - I think it's a good idea - I will call it "Grown Ups" :-) subtitled "having amusing conversations with intellectual and amusing people or FlameFest for short :-)
Just kiddin Kath. But don't worry I am not interested in chaging anything.



I apologize if I seem ill tempered about this, but you really struck a nerve with me about this.

LOL Kath :-) You know me - I not serious - so don't take anything seriously. But look at how many intelligent answers have been given just by the virtue of this thread :-)

Regards,
Lote

[Admin]

The forum isn't for children. The forum is for everyone, and everyone includes children. The forum is also at times used to classrooms doing work together where the school district couldn't allow access to this site if it were full of vulgarity, etc.

That is the way it is, that is the way it will stay.

[SleepyWitch]

hehe, Admin, I don't think Lote meant to say the rules should be changed. i think he was just teasing us to stir up an interesting discussion :)

[kiobe]

It is my opinion that the removal of posts either partially or totally seems to be rather random. I've seen very political rants about what's happening in Iraq not removed and lesser statements about Islamic extreemists pulled with warnings. It seems childish to me. The fact that there may or may not be an eleven year old on line shouldn't matter when discussing, in a mature manner, a current event. I've had a few runins with sherezade, sorry for the spelling sher, and it has left me with the feeling that my new threads should be things like, "what's your favorite color"? or "What's your favorite day of the week"? My son is 12 and knows more about current politics than a lot of people twice his age and I am proud of him for that. Why dumb it down? Give people a little room and if they blow it, ban them. Again, just an opinion.

[kathycf]

The random part *may* be partially because there are several moderators here, each with their own individual way of doing things and individual perspective on how rules are being enforced. The politics part is just going to have to be discussed elsewhere, I think, so most political references are flat out removed to enforce forum rules regarding political discussion.

Dunno...maybe...just a thought. :)

[Logos]

As per the forum rules, if you have an issue with a mod's decision please take it up with them via Private Message. Keep it off the boards.