Reporting Underage Accts

I agree.

In RL I was a "mandated reporter" for some years. That means that because of my job I was required by law to report any suspicions I ever had of any child being being neglected, abused or otherwise in danger. I still feel it is the responsibility of all of us to protect all children.

I put my 17-yo daughter on the main grid, because I felt that there, I'd be able to give her more help learning SL, more help financially, and keep an eye on her myself, instead of having her on the teen grid, that I'm unable to access. She will frequently come to the club I manage because she feels comfortable there...while we have strippers, they don't get naked very often...and if they do, she goes somewhere at that time. But most of the regulars at that club know she's 17, and are ok with it, because she carries herself appropriately. Ironically, a couple of them will contact me if she's there and someone is making obvious moves on her, just to let me know, and they are protective of her. Overall, I really feel she's better protected on the main grid.

I agree that there are certain areas of SL that minors shouldn't be in...hell, there are many *I* shouldn't be in. But unless you see a minor being extremely offensive, or in an adult situation that could harm them emotionally...I'd stay out of it.

You did in this RL circumstance KNOW they were children, of course.

And I find the whole idea of policing other people to be disturbing. But all in all if it comes up for me again that someone tells me they are under-age I think I'll probably follow the rules and report it.

If you are underage when you join, but then become 18 and then they find out you were underage can you be banned?

Brought on by the 17 yr old daughter post...my though process might be odd lol

I suspect not, but I'm not sure. I know that if a user with a Teen grid account turns 18, they are transferred to the Main Grid, and there's even a special area where people can have "transfer parties".

Is there actually a rule that we have to report it?

FROM THE KNOWLEDGE BASE

We take the problem of underage Residents who aren't allowed to be here very seriously. If you find someone under 18 years of age who shouldn't be on the Main Grid, here's what you need to do:

First, make sure they've actually admitted their underage status within Second Life, in their own words in chat. For example, "I'm 14" is clear evidence. We can't accept hearsay or rumors, so "I heard that so-and-so is a young teen" or "That griefer behaves like they belong on the Teen Grid!" don't count. "Confessions" on external instant messaging programs or any areas outside of Second Life itself can't be investigated either.
Inworld, use Help > Report Abuse to bring up the abuse reporter tool.
Click Select category and choose Age.
Enter the required information as indicated, and please be specific. If you recently heard an underage admission in chat, copy-and-paste the snippet into the Details field. If it happened earlier and you don't have a chat record, just mention as much as you remember to help us know what to look for.
Click the Report Abuse button and our Abuse Team will investigate it and take appropriate action. Thanks for your help.
In most cases, teens found on the Main Grid will be transferred to Teen Second Life, and their inventory will be cleared. This is done to discourage "shopping accounts" created for the purposes of bringing stuff across grids.

Accounts found to be 12 years or younger are too young to be on Second Life, sorry.

*shrug*

She's my child, and I feel far better having her with me in a situation I can control, than on the teen grid where I can't. She'll be 18 soon enough.

So sue me...it's a decision I made for my own child.

According to Caroline.

Yes, she lives in my home - computers in different rooms.

Yes, other adults I am friends with know that she's 17 - so they keep an eye on her as well. So far, she's received no grief. If an adult male tries to make conversation with her, she's mature enough to keep him at "arm's length" and tells him that she's taken.

I will admit that if she were say, 14 or 15, she would not be on the adult grid. Her birthday is just a couple of months away, and knowing that she would have to give up any friends she made on the teen grid until they crossed over, it was an easy decision to put her on the adult grid.

I'm hoping some of my fellow residents can help me out on this one.

Recently it has been brought to my attention that someone not of age is playing in SL...now ..this of course is not unheard of....but what DOES concern me is this child is engaging in deviant sexual practices (also not unheard of) in game.

Aside from rumors about this person being significantly underage...there are of course the obvious signs....

No payment info
Only on during after school hours
Child like voice.
RL pic in where they appear to be 15 or 16

I have never been one to report someone as I always felt it wasn't my business....and theres always the "what if I'm wrong!" factor.......but is there any way lindon can intervene and make sure this person is of age?

Thanks in advance.

...it was an easy decision to put her on the adult grid.

Plus, if this person is 16 or so, then being in SL can do them no harm. The average 16 year old these days has done pretty much every sexual act there is, so seeing it in a video game is really no big deal.

I resent that hugely... NO. WRONG. A lot of 16 year olds maybe.. the same ones that do drugs, etc.. but the average 16 year old I seriously doubt it. I personally didn't do *anything* until I turned 18, and I know literally 100-150 people in my school that I am 98% or more certain that were the same way.

'pretty much every sexual act' is the part that really gets me though... thats a hell of a lot. Even the most experienced 16 year old (That isn't selling their body or a nympho...) hasn't really done all that much, unless they've been at it a few years.

I'm sorry.. But I'm offended by that. I probably shouldn't be but oh well

I accept your apology.

Hmm.. didn't realize it was you who posted that o.o

Doesn't really matter just surprised at how little i pay attention

...Ironically, a couple of them will contact me if she's there and someone is making obvious moves on her, just to let me know, and they are protective of her. Overall, I really feel she's better protected on the main grid...

...If an adult male tries to make conversation with her, she's mature enough to keep him at "arm's length" and tells him that she's taken...

The fact still remains - there is nothing a normal 16 year old can see on SL that can possibly damage them in any way whatsoever. It's not our responsibility to make allowances for the mentally feeble ones who would be damaged either. The OP is the one that needs to grow up.

Well there are many things in SL that could 'damage' a 16 yr old. Could 'damage' anyone if you think about it...

But its true there is nothing ONLY in SL. Can be found all over the internet, tv, and so many other things

Guys... Its not about what they will see or if they will be damaged. LL is not a parent!
Its about not getting into legal hot water.

DUH.