Coyote3855
Member
Given the crap available on the internet, THR is a very benign experience. My only child is 37, but I would have no problem with grandkids browsing here.
Children in an adult gun site?
- Thread starter Impureclient
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General Geoff
Member
FYI, modern message board software automatically wraps text, no need to manually return every line. Folks with small monitors or resolutions will have shorter lines of text, people with larger monitors and resolutions will have longer ones. Furthermore, the text will automatically re-wrap if you resize your browser window. 
As for SHTF scenarios being discussed with children, you must understand that you are being a responsible adult and parent by being concerned about emergency plans at all. Most parents can't even be bothered to raise their children at all, let alone discuss emergency planning with them. So just take it the consensus here as meaning some children are wiser than their parents.
As for SHTF scenarios being discussed with children, you must understand that you are being a responsible adult and parent by being concerned about emergency plans at all. Most parents can't even be bothered to raise their children at all, let alone discuss emergency planning with them. So just take it the consensus here as meaning some children are wiser than their parents.
ezypikns
Member
I understand the OP's concern,
and I believe he's being sincere. The problem is, with so much worse information about firearms out there MOST of what's offered here is OK.
I'd rather a kid learn that firearms are to be used responsibly, and handled safely, and treated with respect. I think this is a pretty good place for this.
I don't think he'll learn those things from movies, music, or most any other form of popular culture.
and I believe he's being sincere. The problem is, with so much worse information about firearms out there MOST of what's offered here is OK.
I'd rather a kid learn that firearms are to be used responsibly, and handled safely, and treated with respect. I think this is a pretty good place for this.
I don't think he'll learn those things from movies, music, or most any other form of popular culture.
Erik M
Member
I think under the supervision of a responsable parent that THR is an great resource for teaching young ones about firearms and the rights associated with them. It is the responsibility of the adult to ensure that the content is used in a positive light.
WardenWolf
member
If a kid is asking about a SHTF gun, I still would consider that good foresight. Considering that they're effectively asking for info on a good quality gun that will work well for a long time, rather than the latest whiz-bang tactical gadget, that expresses far better taste than most kids their age. They're seeking quality, not gimmicks. And also given that it would be the parents' ultimate decision whether or not to buy said gun, I really don't see a problem with the kid asking around to figure out what he / she likes. And believe it or not, kids that age are not that innocent. They hear worse in the school yard than anything that is said here.
The only time you run into problems is if you have deeply disturbed kids who are intent on committing violence, but if you're at that point you have bigger problems to deal with, and they probably already have access to guns or will figure out a way to gain access even if they never found this site. In other words, it doesn't matter. We're not going to "corrupt" kids here. This site encourages responsible gun ownership and usage. It's parents' responsibility to monitor their kids' web use. Shame on them if they don't.
The only time you run into problems is if you have deeply disturbed kids who are intent on committing violence, but if you're at that point you have bigger problems to deal with, and they probably already have access to guns or will figure out a way to gain access even if they never found this site. In other words, it doesn't matter. We're not going to "corrupt" kids here. This site encourages responsible gun ownership and usage. It's parents' responsibility to monitor their kids' web use. Shame on them if they don't.
I disagree there is a lot of useful informaion here that you won't hear on the radio or see on TV. I know what you meant though. My feeling is like much of the others, the kids are probably better served here than other places. If their family doesn't want them on this site or think they may not be mature enough for the content of this site, then its time for some supervision by the parents.
buck460XVR
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Exactly.....and the use of the internet by a child is the responsibility of the parent.
Sad, but most of the childish behavior exhibited here on THR is done by us adults.
murdoc rose
Member
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I have noticed a lot of kids on here especially being young myself and at first it struck me as strange but this site is full of info and a great place to ask questions. Some one brought up that some kids my be interested in fire arms but don't have anyone to ask that is knowledgeable. If my grandfather wasn't still alive Id be the only one in the family that knows anything about firearms. I had my uncle call yesterday asking about a pistol hed received. So over all the kids being here is a good thing
CoRoMo
Member
I didn't know this was an adult gun site. Coulda fooled me.
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Summer Months
We do see an increase in younger members during the summer months.
We could probably keep that number down if we would try to turn this place into a "place of learning" and teach at them. They would stay away in droves.
Imagine, coming to THR, discovering that, after your first hundred posts, there's a test you have to pass before you can post any more. Grades are posted publicly.
We do see an increase in younger members during the summer months.
We could probably keep that number down if we would try to turn this place into a "place of learning" and teach at them. They would stay away in droves.
Imagine, coming to THR, discovering that, after your first hundred posts, there's a test you have to pass before you can post any more. Grades are posted publicly.
I pretty much agree with rbernie.
We have no way to screen out children, or for that matter some adults(?) we could do without. So far as kids are concerned, they are their parents' responsibility. Regardless of the content, the parents should be watching and supervising what sites they can visit. If necessary, parents can install software in the household computers to block that what they deem to be unfit for their (not our) kids to see.
So lets put the responsibility where it belongs.
We have no way to screen out children, or for that matter some adults(?) we could do without. So far as kids are concerned, they are their parents' responsibility. Regardless of the content, the parents should be watching and supervising what sites they can visit. If necessary, parents can install software in the household computers to block that what they deem to be unfit for their (not our) kids to see.
So lets put the responsibility where it belongs.
Impureclient
Member
So I guess so far the consensus is that they should be allowed just so as long as they keep it civil. Of course you could say that about any adult in here. I think where it differs is that as the adults we need to really be careful as to what information we are giving them. If they are able to come in here, lie and pass off as an adult, and fit right in then so be it. The intention of my post wasn't to call for an thorough ban of youngsters in here. However if they come out and say they are a child or by logical reasoning we are able to figure it out by what they type then I think we need to realize they may be on here without the parents permission. No matter how we feel about crappy parents letting their child go onto any site that child feels like, I think we should look out for that child in here also. Somewhat of a back up parent. Just as somebody mentioned something about it taking a village to raise the child. So when it gets a little SHTF/public announcement of straw purchase/fantasy, maybe we should answer more carefully instead of just blurting out an answer to, for all we know, a loon.
theotherwaldo
Member
I am typing this while manning the children's department desk at a public library. I have not entered anything that a child should not see. I rarely see anything here that is not highroad enough for a child.
The exceptions rarely last very long.
The exceptions rarely last very long.
mljdeckard
Member
I don't care what age our posters are. If they are reasonable and sincere, I will treat them as adults. If they are not, I will treat them like children. If someone starts talking about things they obviously don't unerstand, it will be obvious no matter what their age is.
As for the S in SHTF and what it stands for, ok.....but.....if the SHTF aren't we way past that?
I think the reason we try to keep the language PG or better in here has less to do with stealing the innocence of kids than it does with being gentlemen, and making sure that we can be taken seriously. If an anti surfs this site and sees nothing but profanity, pictures of splattered jackrabbits, and threads about the coming revolution, we will be on the news as "The REAL face of gun ownership." This is why I don't whine to the mods on the rare occasions I get locked or deleted. It's their call, and if I don't like it, I can go somewhere else. Above all, I want to avoid being asked to DO their job.
ANY discussion of illegal activity, (meaning, encouraging or enabling such,) is immediately shut down. On The High Road, we follow the law, PERIOD. I have never seen a thread discussing breaking ANY law tolerated. I have reported some, and they were shut down PROMPTLY. If someone has a question about the law to make sure they FOLLOW it, we absolutely encourage it and try to contribute.
I don't see how kids looking for information in here is a bad thing in any way. I would let my 11 year old look at anything in this board.
Would the OP care to point out threads he has seen encouraging illegal activity?
As for the S in SHTF and what it stands for, ok.....but.....if the SHTF aren't we way past that?
I think the reason we try to keep the language PG or better in here has less to do with stealing the innocence of kids than it does with being gentlemen, and making sure that we can be taken seriously. If an anti surfs this site and sees nothing but profanity, pictures of splattered jackrabbits, and threads about the coming revolution, we will be on the news as "The REAL face of gun ownership." This is why I don't whine to the mods on the rare occasions I get locked or deleted. It's their call, and if I don't like it, I can go somewhere else. Above all, I want to avoid being asked to DO their job.
ANY discussion of illegal activity, (meaning, encouraging or enabling such,) is immediately shut down. On The High Road, we follow the law, PERIOD. I have never seen a thread discussing breaking ANY law tolerated. I have reported some, and they were shut down PROMPTLY. If someone has a question about the law to make sure they FOLLOW it, we absolutely encourage it and try to contribute.
I don't see how kids looking for information in here is a bad thing in any way. I would let my 11 year old look at anything in this board.
Would the OP care to point out threads he has seen encouraging illegal activity?
General Geoff
Member
I don't think this is really a children specific issue; bad advice for a child is usually bad advice for an adult as well.
I am sure we have children who come here without a parents' permission or knowledge. But there is nothing I know of that the System Administrator or Staff can do to prevent it. A parent can, and it's their duty and responsibility to do it. The same can be said about any other site on the internet.
If the kids that show up have irresponsable parents there is a problem far larger then anything on The High Road.
If the kids that show up have irresponsable parents there is a problem far larger then anything on The High Road.
Actually aside from the History Channel or Discovery Channel (correct me if I'm forgetting one, I haven't had cable for a while), all the other material on guns on TV and radio would probably be misguided.
I would also say that IMO, 99.9% of the posts on this site that reference killing are stated in the context of defense of life or hunting.
I agree that the responsibility of what the kids are checking out on the internet is up to the parents. Let them make the choice of the content viewed by the minor/child.
I think this is going a little far. Up until a few years ago, I was legally one of those children and my parents never restricted what I could or could not do on the net. I'd like to think I turned out better than most. Implying that my parents are "crappy" for that is not High Road in the least. You can put parental blocks and passwords on websites all you want, chances are, your kids know how to take them off and put them back when they're done.
RobNDenver
Member
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How can you stop them? What difference does it make if children visit this site? Frankly, it's a lot safer than some websites I have seen.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I would wager that 90% of the SHTF/TEOTWAWKI fantasy crap is posted by adults.
Any post that strains credibility should be reported to the mods. There should be no place in THR for content that we would be ashamed to have viewed by ANYONE, for any reason, at any time. If you would not want your children, your spouses, your bosses, or your parents to see what you write - don't post it here.
In the end, THR is about factual and truthful data. And we should never be afraid of exposing that to anyone, for any reason.
"Can't stop the signal, Mal."
oldfool
Member
I agree with OP's concerns (and am well aware of recent post which is the obvious and likely inspiration)
Even the "old people" here often disagree with one another on what constitutes support of the 2nd and what does not, or falls short of. To be expected and respected. Adults can disagree and still respect one another, even if it happens too rarely.
The role of parenthood is also to be respected. Far too little of that is all too commonplace in our society.
We, all of us, I hope, want to encourage youngsters to take an interest in firearms and learn responsible behaviors to go with.
But it is not for me to substitute my judgement, fair or foul, for a parent's judgement, not "parents unknown, and I don't care". Nor, IMO, for other any member here to do so. I have taught some youngsters some basic shooting skills, and I hope yet to teach more. But never absent their parent's knowledge and explicit agreement beforehand. That is both their responsibility and their right. If the child says "it's ok"... you guessed it, I ask mom and/or dad anyway.
"Technology" changes nothing in that, never has, never will, never should.
Moderators are not clairvoyant. But when someone states plainly that they are very clearly and beyond doubt legally not old enough to buy their own firearms, smoke, enlist, or vote, etc., then responsible adults exercise prudent discretion and respect the rights of parents. It is not about respect for constitutional rights, it is about respect for the natural rights of people.
The moderators here have a difficult and mostly thankless job to do, and they do it well. But it is wrong to edit out "SHTF" from a post title so that a youngster can more "easily" converse with cyberpersons specifically about "SHTF" guns. You do not have to be terribly astute to recognize the difficulty in making any meaningful assessment of what the motivation may or may not be. That's dad's job, mom's job, and it's tough enough without strangers from cyberspace making those decisions for them. Just because too many will try to do so, is no excuse for becoming part of the problem.
Welcome the youngsters, encourage them all you can in a responsible manner, which begins with "talk to your Dad, talk with your Mom".
Even the "old people" here often disagree with one another on what constitutes support of the 2nd and what does not, or falls short of. To be expected and respected. Adults can disagree and still respect one another, even if it happens too rarely.
The role of parenthood is also to be respected. Far too little of that is all too commonplace in our society.
We, all of us, I hope, want to encourage youngsters to take an interest in firearms and learn responsible behaviors to go with.
But it is not for me to substitute my judgement, fair or foul, for a parent's judgement, not "parents unknown, and I don't care". Nor, IMO, for other any member here to do so. I have taught some youngsters some basic shooting skills, and I hope yet to teach more. But never absent their parent's knowledge and explicit agreement beforehand. That is both their responsibility and their right. If the child says "it's ok"... you guessed it, I ask mom and/or dad anyway.
"Technology" changes nothing in that, never has, never will, never should.
Moderators are not clairvoyant. But when someone states plainly that they are very clearly and beyond doubt legally not old enough to buy their own firearms, smoke, enlist, or vote, etc., then responsible adults exercise prudent discretion and respect the rights of parents. It is not about respect for constitutional rights, it is about respect for the natural rights of people.
The moderators here have a difficult and mostly thankless job to do, and they do it well. But it is wrong to edit out "SHTF" from a post title so that a youngster can more "easily" converse with cyberpersons specifically about "SHTF" guns. You do not have to be terribly astute to recognize the difficulty in making any meaningful assessment of what the motivation may or may not be. That's dad's job, mom's job, and it's tough enough without strangers from cyberspace making those decisions for them. Just because too many will try to do so, is no excuse for becoming part of the problem.
Welcome the youngsters, encourage them all you can in a responsible manner, which begins with "talk to your Dad, talk with your Mom".
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