Should there be an age minimum for posting on the Internet?

Question

It seems like there is a preponderance of ignorant, ill-mannered, and uninformed opinions on the Internet. It has gotten to the point that all intelligent expression is being drowned out by a cacophony of stupidity. And it seems like a good portion of this stupidity is being spewed by young people.

Now don't get me wrong, I think young people are great. They're full of energy and excitement, etc. But they also are very ignorant about a great many things.

Perhaps they should be allowed to peruse the Internet but not post their opinions upon it until they receive an Internet license. If you have to be 16 to drive, 17 to see an R-rated movie, and 18 to vote, maybe we should have something similar for posting on the Internet.

What do you think?

Or do you think there should be an I.Q. minimum? And if so, how would that be implemented and enforced?

Answer 1

I totally agree with you. They have ruined yahoo chat and make a a mockery of yahoo answers the net wasn't intended for this chi canary

Answer 2

I agree that most foolish, ignarant answers do come from young people. Putting an age ban on the internet? That seems a bit drastic. There will always be one person out there or in ones life that says something horribly foolish and annoying. The internet is meant for everyone too use for education, recreation, and many other things.

Also, keep in mind that while a lot of the stupidity being put out there is from teenager/younger people, I think that it is because 1) they're young. Give them a break, they will get over it 2) adults don't always have the smartest idea's either.

Now, considering that I myself am under 18, I hope you'll gain more hope in the young people that can spell other then like 'ThEy Cant tuch the keybord11!!11'. And yes, in case you haven't ever seen things like that before, it's common.

Answer 3

I think that there should be a few limited forums where those more ignorant can express themselves, however, I also believe that there should be logons created for internet access that are tied to an individual, thus disallowing anonimity, and making it possible to ensure who can go where.

There should be a basic license for both accessing and posting to the internet - just as drivers licenses have different classes, so should internet licenses. Anyone can browse and look at most sites, with exception of adult oriented sites. Then those who pass their initial Internet license exam (verifying that they are, in fact, semi-intelligent beings) they are able to post to the basic forums (basically the kiddie rooms as long as they are not over a certain age to avoid pedophile problems). Then once they can pass the level 2 test, they can post to any forums they want. A level 3 license would simply cause a second verification of age for adult oriented sites. All levels of licenses would include the user's age to help regulate interaction of minors and adults in non-proper ways.

Just a few thoughts.

Answer 4

I think they should pass an IQ test before they can post online. I don't really care if they're ill-mannered because everyone has their ups and downs. I just want them to not be total idiots. And that goes for adults as well.

There shouldn't be an age for things because everyone is different. Some mature faster than others. Some are smarter than others. Some are more well-mannered than others.

By the way, I'm not able to vote yet. Am I well-mannered enough to be posting on the Internet?

Answer 5

i totally agree with you because some of the younger kids walk around acting tough then when it comes down to it the just talk a lot of **** and a lot of people are getting fet up with it so i do agree with you

Answer 6

LOL that is soooo funny--- a bud and I were just talking about that---no age minimum needed just an IQ minimum for a license....

Answer 7

yes 49 :)