I hope none but, that isn't realistic. Especially since the Tantacrul video, which he didn't bother or choose to age restrict for a time. There seemed to be an explosion in young people joining following that but things do seem to be more settled now.
Honestly speaking, I have so many mixed feelings. I was a suicidal minor. I started having ideation when I was 10. So, I feel desperately sorry for them. In a lot of ways, it feels cruel to exclude someone who is in pain. Pain is pain. Doesn't matter how old you are. It still hurts!
The worst thing about it is- this site- in my view provides two main services. On the one hand, it provides detailed method information. On the other, it provides a support system. A unique space where someone can express pretty much anything they like and they will mostly be accepted and supported. Minors deserve and need this just as much as adults! More perhaps. My frustration and anger really is- Why can't they find this anywhere else? Clearly they can't. These people know how to use the internet! They are likely the most tech savy of all the generations.
I wish the people- mainly parents and governments who are so anti this place would instead put their efforts into providing a safe space for their children to be honest about how they feel and be listened to. Give them a place where they can be themselves and not receive platitudes and judgement but... don't provide method information there- simple.
Imagine that- instead of investing all their time and money into things like DDoS attacks here, they had set up something for good? Why can't these people see that the massive amount of interest in this forum is because people can't find this kind of support anywhere else? This is your responsibility! These are your children!
I do think it's sad that many people here would (and actually do) take younger people under their wings- and not to coax them into killing themselves... By actually listening to their problems, taking them seriously and trying to give them comfort and advice... Which again- they should be getting elsewhere. (Step up pro-lifers- that's your job!) But to deny one, you deny the other.
This site does also have another side to it though. By it's very nature, we are a group of very unhappy and pretty cynical people. I would agree with the criticism that this place is somewhat of an echo chamber. Youngsters finding their way here are going to get mostly one side of the coin. Mostly negativity and cynicism. I don't know what that kind of environment can do to a young mind. I doubt it gives them much hope though.
But... that's what infuriates me about people like Tantacrul. He seemed to think we should act more as a helpline for our younger members. That somehow, suicidal people themselves can put on a happy face with our younger members and 'save' them. I'd argue that there actually is more emphasis on recovery when it comes to younger members. Still- that isn't what this place is. We didn't sign up in order to become free therapists for your children! (Sorry- you need to provide that for them.) Which I'm afraid is another reason I don't think children should be here. We can't give them hope and, it shouldn't be up to us to 'save' them. By this point- surely someone in their life ought to have noticed something was up with them and done something about it!
Obviously, the main issue for everyone really is the accessibility of method information. We're simply not qualified to assess one another's mental capacity and an age verification system would reaveal someone's identity somewhere. Plus- let's be real- they'd simply fake documents if they wanted to.
Still- the counter argument is- this information can be found elsewhere on the internet. I'd also say- simply to create an account. To research methods. To acquire all the necessary equipment- which can take weeks- surely shows some amount of mental capacity- no? I'd actually find it surprising if anyone here failed a test to ascertain capacity.
But yes- personally, I don't like the idea of minors accessing method information in particular. I don't like the idea of discussing a method with someone I believe to be an adult, when they're not. Which is partly why I try to avoid it more now.
As to why. It's not 100% that I actually agree with it. I'm not so convinced that my ideation at age 12, 15, 17 was so very different to it is now, at aged 44. Still- I do accept that we aren't legally allowed to make other decisions like drinking alcohol till that age. So- I accept that as a point of maturity in a person's life and I agree with age restricting certain things. Obviously people more clever than me have worked out that that's when the brain has developed sufficiently to make those big decisions in life.
The last reason is a terribly selfish one. It's pretty much always suicides amongst minors that the media, governments and parents focus on. Associating children's deaths with this site is I imagine the strongest reason to get it shut down. I and many others value this site very highly. It's a tremendous support to us. So, selfishly, I'd hate to lose that.
Plus, if I'm brutally honest- while I do sympathise with how awful and alone they must be feeling, it annoys me, if I'm honest. They lied to get an account here. That's the simple truth of it. Then, they continue to deceive everyone on here by pretending they are an adult to get what they want. Then, their parents will come at as with pitch forks if they do commit because apparently- we should have known.
I'm old and we didn't have the internet back in the Dark Ages but- I was so square too! I don't think I would have broken the rules to join somewhere like here until I was allowed to. While I do still feel bad for them, it's undeniable that minors on here puts the site at most risk of being (legitimately) criticised and taken down, so for that selfish reason- I don't want them here either. But- I wish they had a good alternative and I think it's up to the people who rattle on about how much they care to provide that.
Seems simple to me guys- look at this place. Look at the type of unhinhibited space it provides and replicate it- minus the method information for all of your children and young people. Don't try and take support services away from people without providing alternatives... and that isn't 'helplines' with disinterested operatives, reading from a script.
Sorry for the essay... again!
