Underage posters.

There are legal reasons for members to be 16 or over. Do not respond to such posts but use the report function. Those of you who think it is OK to tell them they should be 16 or over and then proceed to give advice could end up in legal trouble. I see people who rarely respond to posts but jump on one from a 14 year old!! Not good.

[jaglad]

Good advice osidge but will these posters be pointed toward those that can help. I fear many will end up taking bad peer advice or doing nothing which could be worse ?

[Hidden in reply to jaglad]

There are many charities supporting people under 16. At the end of the day these guys under 16 should not have applied to be able to post here.

[jaglad in reply to Hidden]

Yea, fully understand and agree with sentiment. I just concerned these youngsters will be receiving wrong or no information and all the issues that may bring.I just think when an underage poster is highlighted then pointing them in the right direction cannot be a bad thing ?

[Hidden]

If members do not wish to follow the rules of the forum they need only let me know.

[Hidden]

My role, among others, is to enforce both the rules of HealthUnlocked and of this forum. You obviously do not like that.

[jaglad in reply to Hidden]

Do you not care for the well being of young men who come looking for help ?You obviously have not read my replies to you.

Without some form of guidance many will fall foul of less well intentioned individuals resulting in possible lasting damage.

We can all follow the rules but do you not think it would be nice if the 'forum' just tried to help ?

Regards

[Hidden in reply to jaglad]

HealthUnlocked do not allow those under 16 to be members of the forum. That is their rule and applies across all forums. Posts we get from those under 16 are because they have lied in get membership. I am sure you can understand the fairly obvious safeguarding issues.

[jaglad in reply to Hidden]

I certainly understand but not sure the vulnerable will ?

[Hidden in reply to jaglad]

That is why the UK has stringent laws about young men and adult men and their interactions. Part of the vulnerability can come from such interactions; particularly in that they can go from forum to direct messaging etc. The vulnerable underage boy should be dealing with a parent, doctor or some other responsible adult and not anonymous adults on an Internet forum.

[jaglad]

Totally agree but if someone does not point them in that direction what then ?Perhaps first time posters should be checked before publishing.

[Hidden in reply to jaglad]

You got it. They should be reported using the report function.