Section for discussing adult topics?

Someone suggested making a section on this site for discussing adult topics. If such a section were made, it wouldn't be for sharing erotica, but for candidly and maturely discussing mermaids with respect to sex and kink. The section and it's threads would presumably be invisible to nonmembers and to members who do not choose to make it visible. I'm a bit ambivalent about the idea. What do you guys think?

*just to be clear, this isn't a formal vote on the idea, I'm just curious what people think of the idea.

I think that's a great idea. There seems to be a huge amount of new younger merfolk on here, and if that kind of stuff was put into a separate section, people can avoid if they want to.

*Agrees with Marina*
I've seen quite a few new Merlings, and it would probably be a good a idea to segregate(I hate using that word) some content away from them.

No offense to you young people, there's just a level of decorum and appropriateness that needs to be upheld when it comes to minors.

I totally agree with Shawn.

There are potential legal issues when children under 16 / 13 start posting with their email or contact details as has happened recently. I visit another forum which has age limit of 18 but has no mature content. There are younger people on there - they behave in mature way and noone complains. From memory the COPPA laws are relevent in many countries - and yes there are recent members at age 12.

Everyone finds there inner and outer mer at different ages of life - and im glad i found this site when i did. For me an over 18 section should not just be "mature content" in terms of sex or kinks. It should also be a place where juvinille content (look pretty colour) can filtered out. I really value the technical content of this site; the collective experience and wisdom of many mers; the experience of conservation and swimming with our cousins; techniques for breath holding etc.

This is my personal view; but whether the mature section goes ahead or not wont stop me enjoying mernetwork.

just to interject, mlparena had two such restricted boards, one was what's your problem which I recall was age blocked, and people vented and bitched about things that were not appropriate to younger people, the other was slaughter house which was age blocked and post blocked. I.e unless you had 1000 (eg) posts and 6 months on the forum you could not view the forum.

that being said I would encourage people to still vent and whine about things where the younger mer's can read and contribute as denying them the chance for input and venting of their own is unfair. lets assume that those at an early stage of merhood have maturity and if they do immature things then deal with it then.

Unless there is an age limit for people to sign up to to this forum... Is there one? Then yes a separate group would be required for a more adult natured conversation. I have seen on other forums, a "group" you can join that labels your page as an adult page, and I'm guessing it takes the limits off of certain sections of the forum that have been restricted from minors and anyone who chooses to not be part of that group. This kind of separation and approval process might take more moderation of the forum than you are used to, but it's an idea I've seen before.

I say it would be nice to have a more mature section. Mature relationship advice (since our age of dating differs quite a bit from teenagers), any strange questions we might have but are too shy to ask anyone else, and a place we can have slightly more "sailor mouths" without fear of consequence. And so on, I'm sure there is plenty we'll think to post. As for an adult "B!TC# out" style thread over there, I say let the big fish have their own, and the little fish have theirs. Let us posters choose where we want our rant to fit, whether it be more suitable for mature eyes, or acceptable for all to see and gain advice from ALL ages.

My only question is, how would you secure the adult section without too many kiddos bypassing. IE: "are you over 18? Click yes to continue" it's easy to click yes no matter the age.

I thought that the gender and sexuality section was, by default, a "mature content" section. I am supportive of having mature content here, but I confess I'm not sure I see the neeed for a separate section.

I think its a great idea! There are some topics that should probably be adult only on the network already, and having one location that can be secured would be fantastic! It would be nice to be able to discuss adult topics without worry of any young merlings becoming involved. And I agree that merlings are great but that there are just somethings that shouldn't be discussed around them, not necessarily for moral purposes, but for legal ones too!

I'd agree fully with some workable form of adult section around here as it can often feel as though there are some comments that I simply cannot make for fear of offending the younger members or getting the back up of those who are of a more conservative mindset to myself. For those of us who have always considered mermaids as a part of our sexual identity and wish to be able to express that in an appropriate place, then this would elevate the usefulness of the site a great deal, so long as the restrictions were good enough to ensure no one who was not supposed to was exposed to the content generated as a result.

Legally I believe you're required to make it a separate mod approved part. It's not a matter of who is mature and who isn't, it's illegal to expose minor to certain things. So yeah, I'm cool with it, just set it that users can't access it unless they're 18+

I think it's a good idea, but with having a limit on age, people can lie about their age. Is it still okay that we have that limit on there, and are the admins going to check an age? I'm all for having an adult section for sure. :)

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I think it's a good idea, but with having a limit on age, people can lie about their age. Is it still okay that we have that limit on there, and are the admins going to check an age? I'm all for having an adult section for sure.

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As far as I know, legally mernetwork is not held responsible if someone lies about their age, same with things on FB. FB can't expose kids to mature content so they have an age restriction of 13, but many kids lie about their age.

As a newer member (but older in age) I think separation puts into place an 'us and them' situation, I think we should just be courteous, avoid cursing and talk to younger members in a mature way as we would expect to be spoken to by them. Mabye there should be a 'cutesy' part of mernetwork for them to post what they like but we shouldn't segregate ourselves there's not many of us!

It's not so much cursing, it's more that there are other adult topics not suitable for younger merlings.

I'm in favour. I mean, let's face it: merfolk have always had sex appeal latched to them, haven't they? It's part of their entire mithos. For the adults among us, I see no reason why we couldn't discuss such things, especially if an age rating is all it'd take to keep out younger members. Doesn't sound very difficult.

I think it would be a good idea. If the young person is mature enough to participate in the conversations then they may, but some may feel (as I do every great once in a while) that the topic makes them uncomfortable. In which case, warning labels are quite handy.
I don't know how you would moderate it though, unless you regulate it by an age given at signup.

I can see the pros and cons, I agree with traveling Merman that I can it is putting us vs them mentality. What about nudity? I know my avatar technically is pushing the limits because I am topless.