Mature/Trusted Section?

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

@Comatose - I get that, but I guess that's what Skype is for. I mean, the forum is technically PG-13. It was something Harry himself decided, after taking into consideration the opinions of the community. So I don't think that's going to change. There are very few topics that would be completely banned at a PG-13 level, as long as you discuss them tastefully. It's just really anything overly violent, sexual or illegal that can't be discussed. And those are the kind of things you probably don't want to be posting on a public messageboard for the whole world to see, anyway. I don't think it's that difficult to steer clear of those topics. You can still have discussions/debates about things like religion, euthanasia, current affairs etc. if that's what you wanna do.

[Corey]

Few of you will know this, but there was a huge spill about this in the planning stages of the forum. It was then that Harry decided PG-13, which was surprising because he never wanted his word to be the final say, he wanted everyone to discuss and get the majority to agree. He eventually had to rule with an iron fist and say that PG-13 was the limit for the forum (it was that bad xD).

Caite is right, no one SHOULD be on the forum if they aren't 13, but I was on PE2K when I was 9 ha ha. There are tons of kids on the internet whether they should be or not, so we have to take them into consideration. That doesn't mean we have to dumb down the language we use or the content we post, it just means we have to set a limit on what can and can't be posted (PG-13). It's not solely because we want to keep the kids shielded, but also because many people find this content distasteful. As an example, even though cursing doesn't personally bother me in the slightest, the rules state that such language is allowed in moderation. Not just because kids on our forum shouldn't see those words excessively, but also because a lot of people frown upon the use of cursing.

I don't think we really need a section to put sexual, violent, or otherwise inappropriate content because this is a Pokemon forum and there's not really a need for it. xD I don't see a problem discussing/debating social disagreements such as religion, politics, abortion, marijuana legalization, pre-marital sex, same-sex marriage, or other controversial topics as long as it's kept civil. I mean, if there was a discussion on the morality of watching porn (or something to the tune of that), I think that you're right shaymin, it's be okay so long as there were no pornographic images, links, or descriptions involved. I don't even think a warning would be needed for discussion, since it's common sense that other people will have opinions contrary to your own and that you shouldn't get offended by it. No one should be offended as long as it's kept civil anyway, since we're not going to allow members to insult one another's opinions.

No one really brings controversial topics up even though we allow it, so I guess I can see why some might think we're catering more to kids. I think people just don't want to offend. I encourage people to bring those topics up, though. I'd love to have some civil discussions with other members. :)

[shaymin]

I mean, im not jumping up and down for topics like "how often do you have sex pxr??" but something slightly more mature than what we allow currently, or maybe something that'd fall within a grey area.

[Corey]

I mean, im not jumping up and down for topics like "how often do you have sex pxr??" but something slightly more mature than what we allow currently, or maybe something that'd fall within a grey area.

Yeah, I understand. xDD Discussing stuff like abortion or the legalization marijuana would be okay, I think. I doubt any of the other admins would have an issue with it as long as it was kept civil and people weren't posting pictures of aborted fetuses or anything of the like. I don't think anyone is saying they want to allow that though, and I don't think anyone would do it regardless. But I'm definitely down for discussing controversial topics and I see absolutely no fault in that. :)

[Blaquaza]

Yeah, I understand. xDD Discussing stuff like abortion or the legalization marijuana would be okay, I think.

We did debating stuff like that back in our Trusted section. I think it was so that immature members who could post offensive comments on such touchy topics weren't able to.

We had other kinds of topics there, too; advice ones,and ones that gneerally related to things that you wouldn't want EVERYONE to know. For example, our 'How do you look?' thread was in the Mature section.

[Dragon Master Mike]

All though considering I'm 15 I have no idea if you would let me on to a section like this, and I don't think my say is going to mean that much, I just wanted to say that I agree with Shaymin, and I do think that a sub forum like this would be good. Corey does have a point though.

Just another quick idea: What if you made a sub forum for civil and respectful debating and conversation on the kinds of controversial subjects Corey is talking about?

[Corey]

Just another quick idea: What if you made a sub forum for civil and respectful debating and conversation on the kinds of controversial subjects Corey is talking about?

There's not really enough activity in that department for a whole sub-forum, so if someone wanted to post a topic, they'd just post it in Other Chat. :) If there is ever so many debates/discussions, then the forum staff would probably consider a sub-forum. But as of now, there's zero, so. xD

[Grassy_Aggron]

All I know is I am going to raise a fuss with some people with my stories XDDDD I like to touch on iffy subjects because it makes it more "real life" :P

As a whole, I'm neutral. As long as it doesn't really impede stories, roleplays, and such, then it's fine being as it is.

[Lord Celebi]

All I know is I am going to raise a fuss with some people with my stories XDDDD I like to touch on iffy subjects because it makes it more "real life" :P

As a whole, I'm neutral. As long as it doesn't really impede stories, roleplays, and such, then it's fine being as it is.

My general opinion on content in stories/role plays has been that as long as its tasteful, well-written, and works with a story there's no point in banning it. IF that kind of content is present in those stories following those rules, I don't think children would really even be *interested* in getting to said "mature" parts. I guarantee you no eleven year old wants to wade through all the political drama crap in my current story just to get to the few sex references I made.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

Pretty much what Corey said. Debates on "mature" topics are currently allowed (in general chat or in a relevant sub forum). It is possible to discuss most topics (even if they're generally considered "mature") appropriately for a PG-13 audience. It's all in the use of language and details. There really aren't many things that are off-limits, so I guess I don't really understand what the issue is here. :(