This is a valid take that I hadn’t really considered. While I still prefer not to engage with literal children, I will concede that it may help for future interactions.

I still l think they could gain experience in online interactions through age-oriented platforms though. Lemmy does not strike me as a welcoming place for minors.

Have you even read my other responses? I’m genuinely engaging in good faith and you’re calling me a troll. Have a look at my profile. You have no clue.

If that’s directed at me you can go fuck yourself. I’ve substantiated my opinion and it’s not based on “bigotry”, which I’m not even sure is thing regarding age.

Does a 15 year old have a nuanced take on tax policy? On worker’s rights? On social security or welfare? My gut tells me no in almost every situation.

I’m not necessarily opposed to younger people being able to view discussions around political topics, but I question their ability to interact with informed opinions on said subjects.

Tbqh, I’d prefer to have a place where adult conversation can take place without immature people chiming in. If they want to lurk and observe, fine. I, personally, don’t want to converse with children on the internet.

There are plenty of online resources regarding this information that don’t require young people to interact directly with random older people who may or may not be acting in good faith. All of what you described, with the exception of online interaction, is available without placing children and teens in a place where they can be groomed or exploited by bad faith actors.

As for the other side, middle aged adults have no need to be directly interacting with teens and younger that they met online. There’s no benefit for those individuals and too much room for exploitation to occur without moderation.

I don’t see a situation where the benefits outweigh the risks for teens and children interacting with random adults online. I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree here.

So, if we’re done with the snarky comments and insults, answer me this. What benefit does it do either party for under 16s to have direct interactions with random adults in their 30s/40s+? Because that’s most of the user base here. Not everyone is out to engage in good faith and many younger folks may not see dangerous situations ahead of time.

I don’t see a situation where a random 15 year old and a random 40 year old need to interact here. The maturity levels, intersts, and life experiences are completely different between them, and I’m having a hard time seeing why a middle aged adult would want to have serious interactions with a literal child. Sure, they’re a teen, but they aren’t legally adults.

Shouldn’t you be in class somewhere?

Did I say that? I don’t believe I did.

This isn’t a place for 15 year olds.

Honestly, good. This isn’t a place for children.

Rust in piss.

The only manual labor those hands have ever done is massaging his little orange pecker.

Sure, except he has a history of using it to avoid paying contractors for the work they’ve been hired to complete, aside from his criminal charges. Most other rich people will at least honor their side of a contract (citation needed).

Because his MO has always been to weaponize the judicial system to the point where the other party either gives up in frustration or can’t afford to continue litigation.

Sour beers / goses. I keep coming back every couple of years to see if my tastes have changed and they always taste awful to me. I’m glad most brewers hopped (pun somewhat intended) on the IPA train because I much prefer them over the sour options.