Age of members...

[MerryPip]

Is there anywhere on the forum that displays a members age? I notice there are more and more under 18s on the forum.

While this is great and I am pleased they are looking for somewhere productive to discuss their pigs, it's also important that other members are aware they are minor and pitch their comments and advice accordingly. This would maybe avoid some of the conflict that has arisen on a few threads recently where advice has been given and constructive criticisim taken to heart by younger forum members.

This also needs considered in light of child protection.

Sorry to sound miserable but it needs adressing for everyones safety and ease of use.

[gizmo01]

Is there anywhere on the forum that displays a members age? I notice there are more and more under 18s on the forum.

While this is great and I am pleased they are looking for somewhere productive to discuss their pigs, it's also important that other members are aware they are minor and pitch their comments and advice accordingly. This would maybe avoid some of the conflict that has arisen on a few threads recently where advice has been given and constructive criticisim taken to heart by younger forum members.

This also needs considered in light of child protection.

Sorry to sound miserable but it needs adressing for everyones safety and ease of use.

this is a good idea plus i have noticed on another forum that anything adultish (we seem quite polite here) is tagged as such in the title :)

[louise_stocker]

I think that this is a really important point, particularly where you may have under-18's being unwittingly given medical advice regarding their guinea pigs and people entering into discussions about rehoming.

It's really important the members are able to provide advice while knowing the age of the person they are giving it to, just like merrypip says.

[louise_stocker]

this is a good idea plus i have noticed on another forum that anything adultish (we seem quite polite here) is tagged as such in the title :)

Good point but if I was under 18, that'd probably make me want to read it even more :(|)

[flintstones]

I don't think highlighting under 18's is a good idea - there many people online I don't mean this forum but the internet it self who target young people because of this I feel it is important to keep there ages hidden.

Also advice should not differ because they are an adult or a child especially in terms of medical advice.

[gizmo01]

Good point but if I was under 18, that'd probably make me want to read it even more :(|)

probably but i think its more of a disclaimer more than anything :))

[louise_stocker]

I don't think highlighting under 18's is a good idea - there many people online I don't mean this forum but the internet it self who target young people because of this I feel it is important to keep there ages hidden.

Also advice should not differ because they are an adult or a child especially in terms of medical advice.

You've made a really good point there. What I meant about medical advice was just that you probably wouldn't advise a 12 year old to syringe feed a guinea pig or something similar. Very difficult issue to resolve really.

[louise_stocker]

probably but i think its more of a disclaimer more than anything :))

You're right - I was probably just a naughty child!

[MerryPip]

I don't think highlighting under 18's is a good idea - there many people online I don't mean this forum but the internet it self who target young people because of this I feel it is important to keep there ages hidden.

Also advice should not differ because they are an adult or a child especially in terms of medical advice.

I don't neccessarily mean ages should be made public but there needs to be some policing of this by moderators or similar when members join and so that peope are protected, the youngsters especially.

In terms of advice I think the advice doesn't need to change but how it is said or the conversation is managed does need to be thought carefully about.

This is a huge issue in terms of young peoples welfare as well as piggies. We can't be seen to alienate or upset young people by treating them the same way we would an older piggy owner when their ability to care for and amange their pigs is coloured by their parents or carers.

Some mums have made an effort to join here after their teens have to monitor what's being said etc and learn more but not every parent will do that. We shouldn't need to have upset youngsters as we have recently before anything changes.

Sorry that sounded really mean and grumpy but I didn't mean it that way! Just passionate baout supporting young people in their own choices & lives. (& Piggies!)

[sport_billy]

I don't think highlighting under 18's is a good idea - there many people online I don't mean this forum but the internet it self who target young people because of this I feel it is important to keep there ages hidden.

Also advice should not differ because they are an adult or a child especially in terms of medical advice.

Agreed highlighting under 18s would be a bad idea and so we should unless we know a persons age, modify our replies in case the poster is a child or vunerable person.
In real situations we all would respond very differently to a child/vunerable person than you would to an adult and I think we should take that into account when posting as a child/vunerable person cannot take it into account when reading and so may take offence when none is intended.

[Connie]

I do understand children need to be spoken to differently, however adults find it very patronising when everything is over explained. And it very much annoys me when people speak as if i have no knowledge already (even though i understand why they are doing it) Also, if i had to write a long paragraph instead of a short sentence every time i replied to someone i wouldnt be able to reply to as many posts.

[Toffeewoffee]

I think a younger person would be more likely to take criticism although constructive to heart and be offended my it, hence why i think we should be more careful where younger members are concerned.

[Connie]

Sorry, my point was not that younger members shouldnt be taken into account, it was that they can only be taken into account when the age is known. Because i for one would not wish this forum to become totally child orientated, other wise i feel i wouldnt learn as much.

(Also i think it would depend on the personality of the child. When i was younger, and to this day, If i wasnt TOLD exactly what to do, i never did it. It was no good suggesting there was a better way. I need someone to say "thats wrong, do it this way" - Im not very good at taking hints! :)) ) And to that same idea, some adults are offended by critisism.

I dont believe there is a way to win, I think its more important that members look out for clues to the ages of people involved and take it as it comes, and ofcourse be prepared to appologuise if your comments are taken wrong/come out wrong. :)

[daftscotslass]

I don't think highlighting under 18's is a good idea - there many people online I don't mean this forum but the internet it self who target young people because of this I feel it is important to keep there ages hidden.

Also advice should not differ because they are an adult or a child especially in terms of medical advice.

This is the reason that we would not have this as an option. It is not safe for children to display their ages and tbh I would remove an age if posted if they were under the age of 18. Yes, it would be handy to know if someone was a minor but you have to bear in mind that others out there online could and would use this as a target.

I would like to think that most adults on this forum could tell from the style of writing or content that a member is younger or someone who needs things explained in more simplistic terms WITHOUT the need for showing ages on profiles.

[Wiiiiieek!]

Is there anywhere on the forum that displays a members age? I notice there are more and more under 18s on the forum.

While this is great and I am pleased they are looking for somewhere productive to discuss their pigs, it's also important that other members are aware they are minor and pitch their comments and advice accordingly. This would maybe avoid some of the conflict that has arisen on a few threads recently where advice has been given and constructive criticisim taken to heart by younger forum members.

This also needs considered in light of child protection.

Sorry to sound miserable but it needs adressing for everyones safety and ease of use.

Well said! I could say more but I won't!!!

I agree with keeping everyone safe but I have friends older than me that write like 5 year olds, seriously! If you don't know someone are you REALLY going to be able to tell JUST from the style of writing? People often comment I sound as if I could be 30/35 when I write sometimes and I am 23 - my friends have been telling me that since I was 16!!!

[lolo123]

I am 12 years old, but I had no idea that there was an age limit. All of the questions I ask and what I say on the forum my parents check before I post it and I havn't come across any inapropiate language. And my parents said that I am mature enough to be on the forum. They also didn't know you had to be 18. Does this mean I have to delete my profile?8...

[MerryPip]

I am 12 years old, but I had no idea that there was an age limit. All of the questions I ask and what I say on the forum my parents check before I post it and I havn't come across any inapropiate language. And my parents said that I am mature enough to be on the forum. They also didn't know you had to be 18. Does this mean I have to delete my profile?8...

Don't panic, there isn't an age limit. We were just debating keeping everyone happy and safe.

I'm glad you've felt welcome and supported and long may that continue. Your folks sound very sensible too!

[guineagurl]

I believe that people should not say any rude things at all. They should be aware that this is a public forum and treat it like there are 7 year olds on it. Yes, the information given by the under 18's may not always be correct but if it is really serious, contact your vet.

[Lady Kelly]

I believe that people should not say any rude things at all. They should be aware that this is a public forum and treat it like there are 7 year olds on it. Yes, the information given by the under 18's may not always be correct but if it is really serious, contact your vet.

Yes I think this is a good point, whilst we all make friends on the forum and do want to occasionally chat about something other than guinea pigs I think its important to consider whether the topic is appropriate for the members of the forum as a whole. I have been guilty myself of giving advice on threads that are not family appropriate and maybe in those instances the member could think about PM'ing a friend or two from here for advice