Banning Again Already??

[pizzacam]

While they were younger members which I usually don't approve of I see we've ALREADY after "fixing" staff issues and "went back to the drawing board..." BANNED another member "CECGirl365"... I think "Toonygirl" was already banned but still...

Now, I don't know the issue at hand and IDK if she's permanently banned but that sure seemed fast what gives...?

I think you need to start posting why members are banned so we don't have to come and ask why, like I'm doing now.

[ChuckEZone]

She was banned because of her age. If you read the updated Code of Conduct (http://rock_afire.tripod.com/help/forumconduct.html), you would see that the cut-off is for everyone under 15. Any member who isn't old enough has their account re-activated once they reach the age limit. Plain and simple.

Banning info isn't made public because it isn't a public issue. We figured it would be embarassing for those members who were disposed of for reasons other than age.

[CEC3066]

by Banning her doesn't that techically go against our motto "where EVERYONE can be a kid"

[pizzacam]

LOL right... more like "Where a clique can be a kid" Did anyone even bother to let her know WHY she was banned...?

[MatHat13]

I personally know her since she visits my CEC all the time. Banning her, well I know you've got the rules but I am gonna come out and agree it was a dumb move this time. I pretty much also agree with Gabe's last message.:ohwell:

[VegaNova]

No, see here's the part where everyone has to understand that there's bigger issues at stake than just a violation of our motto. We (actually I) made the decision that anyone under 15 is no longer allowed to use the forum. They're more than welcome to enjoy the rest of the website and are encouraged to do so. And as soon as they're 15 I'll be glad to welcome them back here to the forum myself.

The truth of the matter is this, besides the fact that most of the kids around here have been an annoyance to people and also an administrative nightmare (not all, I'm generalizing here) the bottom line is that allowing children is a legal issue. It's not imposible to think of a predator soliciting a child online - especially here on a site with a CHILDRENS theme. That being said we simply want no part of it.

Since we started allowing children we attempted to work out some COPPA methods of keeping everyone safe and guarded against, but even that was a stretch. Simply put, we don't have the IP logging and backup capabilities of say, MySpace. So if something were to happen we frankly are lacking certain security features. The best we can do is create a policy about not allowing children at all, and then when they turn up, simply turn them away. This protects them as much as it does ourselves.

So I'm sorry if everyone thinks this is just a power hungry "dumb" move by the staff - it's not. Another reality is that the well being and preservation of this website is a little more important than your views of the matter.

And a final note, nowhere is it stated that "being a kid" has anything remotely to do with coming on a forum and having a discussion. There is an entire website here too...

[theradocaster]

Well, then if this is all true, then why haven't I been banned for being 13? I'm just wondering here? Is it because I haven't lied about my age?

[pizzacam]

LOL well nice knowing you kiddo! It's because someone did shotty work and didn't go though and weed out ALL the kids. THAT'S why I was originally pissed it just seemed unfair to her. ;)

[MatHat13]

The truth of the matter is this, besides the fact that most of the kids around here have been an annoyance to people and also an administrative nightmare (not all, I'm generalizing here) the bottom line is that allowing children is a legal issue. It's not imposible to think of a predator soliciting a child online - especially here on a site with a CHILDRENS theme. That being said we simply want no part of it.


Ah I see, sorry if I sounded a bit hostile there Travis, I agree, and since you take a real good look into facts about internet safety and online predators I can see where you're coming from.

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

People...

Look at it this way:

It's just "Kid Check" for Showbizpizza.com.


;)

[CEC3066]

yeah your right

[chuckrules]

And that makes both perfect sense Travis and Jenn!:D

[RAFE CEC Guy]

Clarabell (Howdy Doody): "Goodbye kids.....:bbsad:"

[VegaNova]

Jenn - thank you. I was thinking SP.com kid check all last night at work and then came on here today and I see you beat me to it.

And Matt, no problem. I know what you meant and believe me, it wasn't an easy decision to make. I hate the thought of chasing people off because of something they can't help such as their age. It was about a month ago when one of our staff caught a message in the chatlog from a 9 year old that was something to the extent of "sorry my mommy doesn't want me to meet a 23 year old stranger". That was the final straw.

Now I gotta say that I'm taking that comment out of context, and the rest of the conversation seemed regular and legit - not anything different than the rest of us talk about meeting up at CEC's. But you know, given the wrong set of people and that's a recipe for disaster. That was my wake up call that we need to do something to protect these kids, even when it may come across as a punnishment.

So my appologies to those on here who are under 15 - there's several who I think are as intelligent and mature as some of the older members. Some of you I've spoken to personally about the matter and even made advance appologies to.

And the reason there hasn't been a thourough sweep done yet is that we still have some behind the scenes work going down. I've got one more "code" to finalize and a group of people to assemble and then we'll be good to go. Once this is completed I'll let everyone know what the changes are and so forth.... ;)

[RAFE CEC Guy]

Well, then I guess this is it. For now. Also, I'm wondering how to stay in contact when it comes to CV5. If I'm not gonna be here until September(My bday), how will I stay in contact with the rest of the members for CheeseVention?

[Vega III CEC]

Well, then I guess this is it. For now. Also, I'm wondering how to stay in contact when it comes to CV5. If I'm not gonna be here until September(My bday), how will I stay in contact with the rest of the members for CheeseVention?
Well, you could always try asking for their email adresses....:cecwink: What I'd like to know is why a nine year old would even decide to get onto the chat function if they didn't want to meet "older strangers" as you posted?

[menutia]

The Cheesevention information will be posted so anyone can obtain it. Registration is done through e-mail. Your only caveat might be the need of your parent to accompany you and provide supervision/transportation. (And sign a fieldtrip form!)

The rules and restrictions are not final for this year's CV... when they are, you'll still be able to find out all about it through www.showbizpizza.com.

[Rockerchick]

by Banning her doesn't that techically go against our motto "where EVERYONE can be a kid"

exatly good call on that one i think everyone should be able to come on he and share their love for "showbiz" and the cecfamily i say let her back

she seams like a cool kid

[Vega III CEC]

exatly good call on that one i think everyone should be able to come on he and share their love for "showbiz" and the cecfamily i say let her back

she seams like a cool kid
That, and she keeps making new accounts, which spams up the forums...

[Rockerchick]

exatly see please let he back...i'de sign a pitosion but i have no way of getting every one to sign it

[VegaNova]

Apparently everyone decided to skip over the part about the saftey thing. She didn't get banned because she was causing trouble - it was simply due to a change in our policy aimed at protecting youth. A petition isn't going to change this. If we had better means of monitoring things it might be a different story, but unfortunately we don't.

And to clarify what I said earlier about the chat session - I meant that they were wanting to meet up "in person", not just in the chatroom. We can't be having that stuff here.

So my end comments on this is that everyone needs to understand where we're coming from here. I know you may feel justified in your positions about letting ANY fan on here, but if something bad were to happen it's not your problem to deal with. It's ours. Therefore it only makes sense that we make the decision about it.

Everyone against the policy is free to feel angry about it, as long as you understand that it's not your responsibility to even be concerned with it.