Changes to UA?

[nerdymom]

Would anyone mind pointing out the changes made to the UA? I can't see any differences, but I haven't commited it to memory either. Most of it sounds familiar. Is this the same version that was announced a couple months ago? Because I saw the changes made then.

Thank you.

[JessicaS]

The changes are the changes we presented a couple of months ago.

There are a few exceptions.

We added

Protecting children's privacy is especially important to Mothering.com. It is our policy to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and all other applicable laws. Due to the adult focus of our board and in order to protect children's privacy and personal information, members must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to register and participate at our website.

and the part about medical advice

The opinions offered at Mothering.com and MotheringDotCommunity are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking care because of something you have read here. Discussion should focus on requests for information, personal experience a nd support rather than requests for a diagnosis, prognosis or personalized treatment plan that could be construed as medical advice.

[nerdymom]

Ok thank you very much.

[Ruthla]

When will these changes be taking place?

And why weren't these changes made 2 years ago, when they first clarified the rules about "no members under age 13"? Why the sudden change from 13 to 18 now?

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

When will these changes be taking place?

And why weren't these changes made 2 years ago, when they first clarified the rules about "no members under age 13"? Why the sudden change from 13 to 18 now?

Because the rules are being rewritten now? We haven't had a UA change/Revamp since 2006.

We go over each aspect and discuss it among the staff and Peggy O'Mara. It was decided that this forum was created *for* parents and adults and that it should be utilized by parents/adults.

If someone is under 18 and is pregnant or about to become a parent then they can still join.

[mamajama]

Originally Posted by abimommy

If someone is under 18 and is pregnant or about to become a parent then they can still join.

Oh that's great! That was my concern.

[Ruthla]

I'm still puzzling over exactly how these changes will work.

Will the software be set up to recognize certain birthdates as "too young to join"? If so, how will a pregnant 16yo be able to join? If not, what's to keep a "not about to become a parent" teenager from joining?

Secondly, I'm wondering about the other goal of MDC. It's not just about parenting, it's about natural family living. Surely a teenager can benefit from learning about all-natural alternatives to conventional body care products, or a "crunchier" approach to female body hair. There are quite a few "non parents" on these boards, and I don't see what their ages have to do with their participation on this website.

Is there really a problem with 13-17yos disturbing other MDC members or disclosing personal information on the board?

[vbactivist]

I personally think men should not be allowed....it is 'mothering' not parenting or fathering, after all.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I'm still puzzling over exactly how these changes will work.

Will the software be set up to recognize certain birthdates as "too young to join"? If so, how will a pregnant 16yo be able to join? If not, what's to keep a "not about to become a parent" teenager from joining?

Secondly, I'm wondering about the other goal of MDC. It's not just about parenting, it's about natural family living. Surely a teenager can benefit from learning about all-natural alternatives to conventional body care products, or a "crunchier" approach to female body hair. There are quite a few "non parents" on these boards, and I don't see what their ages have to do with their participation on this website.

Is there really a problem with 13-17yos disturbing other MDC members or disclosing personal information on the board?

It is a board for adults, the forums were never intended to be a place for young teens to hang out. It isn't really appropriate and makes a lot of people uncomfortable.

If we did decide to welcome younger individuals, we would really need to restrict the accounts pretty severely. I am opposed to adults having the ability to private message teens on here and we would want to limit forum access as well. However it has been decided otherwise.

[amydidit]

Thank you for pointing out the changes. And thank you very much for the age restriction change! I've been hoping that would be looked at closely again. I've never felt children needed to be here (maybe a spin-off board, completely seperate, for kids 13-17 if there is a high demand for a natural living children's forum)?. With the exception of children who have children. Though I do wonder how under-18 moms and moms-to-be will be able to join. Has that been looked in too?

And I also want to say I definitely do not agree that men shouldn't be allowed here. Sure the name is "Mothering", but fathers are parents too and have the same questions, concerns, etc as women. Why should they be denied access to the helpful information here?

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by amydidit

Thank you for pointing out the changes. And thank you very much for the age restriction change! I've been hoping that would be looked at closely again. I've never felt children needed to be here (maybe a spin-off board, completely seperate, for kids 13-17 if there is a high demand for a natural living children's forum)?. With the exception of children who have children. Though I do wonder how under-18 moms and moms-to-be will be able to join. Has that been looked in too?

And I also want to say I definitely do not agree that men shouldn't be allowed here. Sure the name is "Mothering", but fathers are parents too and have the same questions, concerns, etc as women. Why should they be denied access to the helpful information here?

Is the board about parenting or also about natural family living? If it's both, then of course a 17 year old could benefit from the information here, as well. I'm just saying, my personal preference would be no men. That's all. Really anyone can join, of any age or gender, if they wanted to (just lie, I suppose).

LLL meetings are generally closed to men (some groups have couples meetings) and I can see how that is helpful. There are some things one might not want to discuss with/in front of men. That's all.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by amydidit

Thank you for pointing out the changes. And thank you very much for the age restriction change! I've been hoping that would be looked at closely again. I've never felt children needed to be here (maybe a spin-off board, completely seperate, for kids 13-17 if there is a high demand for a natural living children's forum)?. With the exception of children who have children. Though I do wonder how under-18 moms and moms-to-be will be able to join. Has that been looked in too?

There is a note when joining that they can contact admin for access.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

Is the board about parenting or also about natural family living? If it's both, then of course a 17 year old could benefit from the information here, as well. I'm just saying, my personal preference would be no men. That's all. Really anyone can join, of any age or gender, if they wanted to (just lie, I suppose).

LLL meetings are generally closed to men (some groups have couples meetings) and I can see how that is helpful. There are some things one might not want to discuss with/in front of men. That's all.

The SA forum is women-only but there are no plans of restricting things beyond that.