Bad news of the day: They're thinking of merging the Teen Grid into the main one

http://www.raulcrimson.com/2009/01/20/the-merging-of-the-grids-teen-and-main-all-in-one/

Will somebody think of the child avatars? ...and no, that question wasn't a joke, it's entirely serious.

[Insert stream of epic obscenities here.] (T_T)

When I saw the title of the thread, I did a doube take. Surely they couldn't do it. I mean, they already do have underaged people playing on the main grid, but to allow it I think is wrong. I have seen some things in SL that have made me shudder in fear... i would be afraid of how a 12 or 13 year old would take it.

Mind you, I am sure they will limit where the teen griders can go on the main grid... but won't that lead to other issues?

I've seen the merger coming ever since they introduced their really pathetic age verification system using that outside service that people were complaining long and loudly about.

So this comes as no surprise whatsoever. However, there are some very serious legal repercussions in sight, and not for LL. For those who use the grid. Watch your back and watch your step, everybody.

They have been moving toward this for a year. And nothing we say will stop them. We will be forced to age verify and turn on the 'only those verified to be over 18" feature on our parcels to keep them out.

Also I think they will make any mature indicated parcel age verified entry only by default.


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I expressed a little alarm in the chat at the Metanomics interview, and was told offline that LL's idea is not to merge the grids exactly, but to create 'safe' areas on the main grid for minors. They want parents to be able to be on the same grid as minors, among other things.

*shrugs dubiously*
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That sounds less like a horribly, horribly bad idea than just "grids merge!"

I hope these safe areas are clearly defined and patrolled by the most vicious people LL can find. Absolutely have fun but keep it PG or risk immediate & certain banning and a call to the RL police.

You know, I like that LL up to this point has kept the child predetors at bay with the rules and such stopping them from even acting out things with "minors". This is going to change alot of things. How do you control someone's IM? For me, it isn't the actions on screen that make me raise an eyebrow, it's what is said in IM that gets me.

Agreed, despite the politicans trying to make out there's a big issue with predators here, evidence suggests otherwise. Predators are more than likely put off by the fact that it is supposed to be 18+, even if a few minors sneak in.

If the safe places within SL work on a basis that the kids can't TP out and unverified adults can't TP in, that may work. Alternatively adults can only enter the safezone if they have a kid who has an account might work too but it's all a bit uncomfortable, I don't want kids here on the main grid, it's not suitable for kids.

The fact is, what this will do is put every adult in danger. All we need is one actual 15 year old to say "Konu IM'ed me something bad" and I go to jail. Now of course there would have to be proof but just like in real life, being accused is just as bad as actually doing it.

Konu, when it comes to corrupting the morals of a minor, the accusations seem to come first, followed quickly by an arrest, followed slowly by exoneration or conviction. This is a BAD idea. Period.

No.

The gteam will check the server logs when they get an AR about something involving text. They won't just take peoples word on what was said. I've asked them this question a couple times and made sure I was very, very clear - they give the same answer every time.

SL is less enjoyable as it is thanks to adults acting like juveniles.

You are absolutely correct... but know I don't want to deal with the crap that comes with the accusation. I would never interact with a child in an inappropiate way. But, just being accused of it would be horrible.

There is a reason there is a teen grid. I say they need to leave it the way it is. If it's costing so much to keep the teen grid up, then find another way. if they really want to allow rl parents and children to play together, then let the parents make a joint account with their children... proof they are related in some way... and let them play on the teen grid. No reason they need to come to the main grid.

And we all know LL does exactly what they say they will.....

Nope. Not a good idea, in my opinion.

Worst Idea Ever.

One benefit is for those in the education industry to offer curriculum targeting high school age students. Language Lab for example has over 20 sims and limits access by Group. There is a huge demand for English Second Language (ESL) instruction at the high school level and SL would be, for some, an exciting option for providing that instruction. But what HS Administration in their right mind would approve letting students onto Second Life’s Main Grid when it currently is restricted to 18 yr olds and older. Allowing limited access in “safe” areas to students would make sense.
Whole scale access to the Main Grid for teens though, even to just PG areas would be a nightmare. Hell Ahern Welcome Area is PG and I certainly wouldn’t want my teen going there. Also … Ahern aside … there seems to be less tolerance for immaturity and I would hate that some rambunctious teen ultimately be banned from SL simply because they were acting like …. a Teen.

If anything can drive me to OpenSim, this would be it.

I will not "age verify" with any data-mining corporation.

If it comes down to age-verifying or leaving, I will leave.

Awful idea.

No children on the main grid, ever.

I've raised this issue before because where I work we have students ranging from 14 to 90. The implication was that we'd have to go on the teen grid but I'm not sure exactly how that works, maybe someone who has put a college on the grid could shed more light, it certainly is a quandry for education.

Looking at this from a wider point of view, if they can do safe places for teens and adults to merge, then surely they can do the same for all kinds of business ventures, maybe that's the plan?

What I'm more concerned with is how far they're gonna Disney-fy the main grid for these teens to be on the main grid. Neopets was once meant for adults (err college aged adults, but still adults.) It's now so fluffy PG it makes my brain bleed. I come to SL because I can be an ADULT. I can make my choices about going to those mature places with XXX in their name, if that is my desire. *rubs forehead*

But I'm all for the idea of policed "safe zones" for the rugrats, if it means that I don't have to give up my nudity!

I just wish I could be more optimistic about the idea, but this is LL we're talking about. They never did anything half-assed when whole-assed would do. Especially when it comes to new policies or opening flood-gates.

i thought they had forgotten the idea..bleh

Bad ideas never are fogotten... just put on the back burner hoping others would forget.

If you stick your head out your window, you can probably hear Immy screaming her head off at this one.

What i like about SL right now is that everyone on the main grid SHOULD be over 18. Now, i know there are a few out there who have beaten the system and are in the main grid... though people are reporting them as they find them. I like that other adults can get together and just talk and relax. Can't wait to see how that will change when the 15 year olds get here looking for sex lol