Kids on OCC

J-Mech · #1 06-20-2018, 12:23 AM

Ok... so I want to give an opinion, and I want to make a suggestion.

We seem to be seeing more and more of the "younger" generation on this site. And by younger I mean under 18. We've always had a few kids floating around on here, and for the most part that's cool. Well, I just found out that we have a 10 year old kid on here now. We have a few more new members who are also under 18. I want to say, I have no issue with members who are younger, and in some ways it's cool. I probably would have thought it was cool to talk to guys who had an interest in Cubs like I did back when I was 12 and playing with our old 71, cultivating the garden and tugging things around I had built. But.... the internet didn't exist back then. Times have changed.

So, for the sake of argument, lets just use the age old "law" that at 18 you're an adult. That being the case, I'd like to know when someone on here is a minor, and not by having to ask.... or figure it out 15 posts into a thread while trying to help them fix a tractor, and getting frustrated because they just don't understand.

Here's my suggestion: Could we ad something to the profile of a person under 18 that denotes it? Just like under all our names we have "New Member", "Senior Member" and such. Something nice that just calls attention to the fact the a member is a minor? That way if they are asking questions in a thread, we know who we are dealing with? Or if they try to give advice to someone,( and they do) the OP can see that it is a younger member trying to help? I know, I know.... people will just lie about their age. Happens all the time. But eventually, it usually becomes obvious that they are a kid. If someone lies about their age, and it comes out, just add the "marker" to their profile and go on. Just hard to try and remember who is who with new members sometimes.

Just a suggestion.....

R Bedell · #2 06-20-2018, 12:50 AM

(A) when people sign up, it is the "honor" system of the date they use for their birthdays. There is NO way to validate or confirm the data they provide. I have seen entries as little as one day old, to 115 yrs old. Most applicants "appears" to be honest about their DOB.

(B) "Junior Member" could be used as a distinction, but then it would be the honor system to know when they reached 18.

I know this can be an issue. I do watch for the youngin's. If a 10 yr old slipped through the cracks, send me a PM and ID this person(s).

Open to suggestions.

cooperino · #3 06-20-2018, 07:22 AM

Excellent idea and thought Jonathan.

olds45512 · #4 06-20-2018, 08:59 AM

Plenty of forums have something like this in place but I'm not sure how they go about doing it. Having to put your age in when you register is the only thing I can think of but they could easily lie. On most sites they are marked as "junior member"

R Bedell · #5 06-20-2018, 09:05 AM

Found a recent new member this morning with interesting data.

(A) DOB was in 1984

(B) Using a High School Student e-mail address

J-Mech · #6 06-20-2018, 10:16 AM

Roland,
I've got to get to a meeting. I will PM you the info I found out last night as soon as I can.

I like the Jr. Member thing.

cooperino · #7 06-20-2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Bedell

Found a recent new member this morning with interesting data.

(A) DOB was in 1984

(B) Using a High School Student e-mail address

Maybe he is a high school teacher?

DoubleO7 · #8 06-20-2018, 01:00 PM

We always see out-of-schoolers show up in forums everywhere every year.
I guess they are too bored telling the world their every move on Fbook.

Some might come here legitimately seeking help.
Some just sign up to see how long they can keep a thread going.

Cub Cadet 123 · #9 07-03-2018, 12:24 PM

Jonathan, when I read your title I thought it was about some kind of behavioral drug for yutes. I assume you are referring to their chronological age instead of their mental age or else a lot of us, myself included, probably should have the Junior badge. I like your idea and it would certainly help with our patience in explaining something or our terminology used. It makes perfect sense in the educational field, so why not in the forum where we also work to educate our yutes on the finer things of life, like cub cadets!!!!

Now, would someone please explain this to me again.....I think a comma was left out.

Cub Cadet 123

DieselDoctor · #10 07-03-2018, 02:47 PM

A good teacher teaches to the ability of his students. We, as the teachers, should do everything we can to educate our youth, for they are our future. Having a "youth" marker is a great idea. I'm sure all of us can do a better job of explaining if we know the member is a youngster. Good idea Jon.
And as a side note perhaps they can help us old timers with our computer issues!