Animation Source Forums

This is why I have ALWAYS been very up-front and honest about who I am, how old I am, and even the location in the U.S. I live in (without too much detail...no one needs to know the exact town and address. Internet predators take advantage of adults as much as they do kids).

I have always wanted to be honest about it. I am an example of the other side of the fence...the good, decent, honest adult, who has no criminal or civil record, and not even a bad DRIVING record (beyond a few speeding or moving violations tickets in my past), who also happens to be a positive contributor to a mixed online community ("mixed" by means of age, sex and nationality).

By doing so, no one has any doubts about me. Or, there are very few one CAN have. It's far easier for an adult, after all, to pretend he or she is a kid than it is for a kid to pretend he or she is an adult. And I can't imagine that there are that many kids out there who are passing themselves off as adults (except when they're trying to access sites with "adult content", because their curiosity gets the better of them, or because they mistakenly believe that they have the "right" to do so).

An adult passing himself (or herself) off as a kid is a far greater danger (even if he or she is NOT a pedophile) than an honest, up-front adult. And it IS easier than most people think to discover that a "kid" is actually an adult. Who knows? There might be some lurking around here. I don't know really. Because I don't care to spend my time finding that out. And let's be honest...there are even some clever kids (teens in most cases) who know how to use the internet to take advantage of adults. But there are undercover police, FBI, and Interpol agents online, doing their own "preying" for predators. Those who would hurt children, or take advantage of adults.

But really...giving your first name, even the state you live in (or territory, or whatever) is hardly enough for a predator to take advantage of. It's up to the individual. But those who are paranoid about it should not be on here, finger-wagging and doom-speaking about what "will" happen to those who reveal anything about themselves. That's not their responsibility. The individual who posts any information about himself or herself must decide that, and live with any consequences (however unlikely they may be).

As to meeting people I've only ever talked to online? I probably wouldn't do it either (except under some very specific and controlled circumstances). But as an American Civil War living historian, I belong to a world-wide community of other living historians, and we often talk about get togethers...even if we've never really met. Usually at events or special activities. And I've arranged special private tours of places like Gettysburg battlefield for families and so on, and sometimes done so online...and it's all happened without any hitches.

Would I ever ask to meet a minor? PFF. I'm not crazy. I know the implications of doing so. And if a minor were to ever ask to meet me, I would never consent to it without first talking to his or her parents, and arranging it through them IF there were a legitimate reason for doing so (like a Balto Source get-together, or a road trip to Nome, or something cool like that). And NEVER in a secluded, private place. Only ever what would be acceptable to that person's parents. And again, only for a legitimate reason. To meet simply for the sake of meeting? I don't know...

Yep! Forever and ever. Until we're old ladies with our canes. LOL!

For minors, it i s not recommended to meet people that you may meet on the internet.. Perhaps for Adults there is still a possibility of danger, but, i think if you really want to meet with someone, it could be because you know him from long ago, you have seen him on cam as a verification, and you had the time to really analize the person.. etc

perhaps, Internet is another tool of Socialization.. the times are changing and perhaps the paranoia should be wiped out with formal instructions for a safe meeting. STill it has somewhat a spice of dangeras people behind the screen can lie ALOT about how they look, their age, their gender.. etc, but thats why you must use the proper peripherials to verify his comments and looks (webcam, pics,etc).

i think that if you REALLY want to meet someone, some safety measures must be taken... like meeting in public spaces like some of the members here already said... going along with someone else just incase, self-defence articles, and again.. COMPANY.

So true...do not meet someone, but what really ticked me off one this topic was you bashing devil. So what if hes older then any of us...hes a really sweet person. You had know right to say things like that. I met an older person on this site then devil. And no devil is not 15...Okay kk you need to give proof when you say hes 15.
Devil is not a lie either...sure he got banned before so what.

IF you do meet someone from online, here're some tips if you're unsure of the person:
Meet in a public place (Mall or restaurant, etc)
Stay in that high populated place.
Don't accept offers of food or drink
Take a friend with you to watch
Go with some sort of defense method (mace, knife, gun if legal to carry a concealed weapon)
Get phone communications with the person for a while before you meet.

As of now, I've met about 10 people from online, all 10 of them are real good friends of mine now, I haven't really had a bad expirience with it all.[/list]

My mom has me alot of people over the internet, and some of them are still really good friends with her! Of course she [nor the people she was meeting] didn't go alone, though.

I don't think I would ever meet anybody over the internet, but if I ever do, I will make sure to follow Alpines tips. XD

I say that not everyone is dangerous. But if you're going to meet somebody take a Parent or friend with you, a cell phone, go to a public area, and follow the other tips listed in this topic :3
Anyways I've only met one person from this site in real life, and she was very nice.