Question For the Regulars Here...Adults ONLY Please?

Question

I responded to an obvious minor who asked a question on here about feeling depressed and then she added a comment saying she had considered jumping off of a roof.

I went into concerned-mom-overload and wrote an answer about urging her to talk to her mom, find a church official, a school counselor~ but cautioned her about mentioning thoughts of suicide, as this could bring unwanted ramifications.

I offered a suggestion and link to go to a suicide hot line, so she can talk through her feelings with someone and remain anonymous.

Today, she privately messaged me to say that~ oh, she's NOT suicidal or really depressed, she was just bored that day and then once she jumped off a roof onto some pillows.

I am feeling as though I could have inadvertently caused myself some legal trouble here? Somehow I feel as though I crossed some boundary trying to help a child? Why are there no guidelines on these forums, such as "must be 18 years or older to participate" ???

Thank you for your thoughtful responses and input.

Answer 1

I understand your concerns.

However, sometimes young people post questions here relating to their homework or requesting information they need for school. I would hate to discourage that.

Also, it appears that there are a lot of young people who ask some very basic "birds and bees" questions that they apparently cannot ask their parents or teachers. It might be a good thing that they have a forum where they can get information of that sort.

There are some young people who post pretty outrageous questions dealing with politics, religion and other controversial subjects. Discussions of that sort among friends can often lead to serious dissagreements and fights. Perhaps asking here is safer and the responses might promote some understanding, tollerance and even respect.

There are probably many other reasons to keep the young ones with us. As a former teacher, I rather like the idea that young people have a place to converse with adults. You would be surprised how many of them have almost no communication with their parents. In these times, with both parents working and schedules so hectic, opportunites to bridge the generation gap are sadly lacking.

You are right to be concerned, but I hope you took it as a good sign that the young lady contacted you to assure you that all was well with her. That seems like a ray of hope. The attention you gave her might be just what was needed to alert her to the consequences of playing around and being overly dramatic online. In a world full of strangers, she found someone who cares.

To quote Martha Stewart..."That's a good thing!"

Answer 2

First of all, this is open forum, sensitive subject like that should not be taken seriously. Time and time again, people post things like that may be just joking around.

In most cases, a desperate and depressed individual will not have mood in posting in forum. Even if they seek help, they will go to their friends first. In a public forum like this, they have to compose their thought. After the whole process of writing, this can't be serious. I am not sure in all cases. However, I only trust 1% of 100% of those who claim they are suicidal.

Basically, those people are just seeking for attention. You can just play along with them, but not be so serious about it.

No, you are not into legal trouble at all. No harm done. This is only yahoo forum. You don't post your real information, and then you are safe.

Yes, you learn something in here and you help people. However, some people are just plain too stupid and bored to come here. They are not here to seek help or help others. Just spread around their boring thought. That's all.

So, I won't take it seriously if I were you. Of course, I interpreted dream seriously whether it is taken or not.

Answer 3

You did the right thing, there was in a live forum a friend of mine was in about a year and a half ago. One of the people there was talking about being depressed, suicidal thoughts, and the like. One of the people in th forum got a suicide counselor (never did find out how) to join that channel, he was able to "talk the kid down" and get real help. So as you can see sometimes it isn't a hoax, and if you let the hoaxes get the better of you, you might miss your chance to do the REAL good.

Answer 4

First, I feel your pain at having been "used" for amusement it seems to me. I've also responded to similar questions with similar answers, so I certainly don't feel you did anything wrong AT ALL.

Second, I feel that everyone on here should be at least 18 or 21, something like that. But according to Yahoo, 13 is okay and even younger with parental approval. How sad. Many times, I've resisted answering questions unless I can verify age either stated in the question or in the profile. Let me amend this to add that I agree with Susan ONLY IF Yahoo required clear statement of age for everyone posting questions.

Third, I think answers to any question on here should be considered under the "Good Samaritan" laws, which generally protect a volunteer who renders voluntary aid to someone in need. My opinion is that this would be reinforced by showing that you were within the guidelines of Y!A and Yahoo Terms of Service.

Answer 5

I agree with you totally. Today already there was a question about how to kill puppies and a man who is looking for a date at an elementary school. I am really tired of these bogus questions that are just causing total upset to some of the readers. I can understand your being upset but I think that since you are not a professional and the advice that you were giving was one of plain concern that there is really no legal ramifications. You are not working in the capacity of a trained professional and thus cannot be held liable for having concern with regards to the safety of a child. I think that if you want to participate in answers that you should be willing to give proper identification so that when you post some horrific question that is threatening to another, it can be dealt with.

Answer 6

I feel your pain on this one, but the fact of the matter is this is the internet and it is a big ambiguous place. You say she was obviously a minor but you really have no proof whatsoever of that.
I understand your desire to help and believe me you should be very proud of it but to be honest yahoo answers is not the place for you to help suicidal teens

Secondly I can't imagine why you think there would be ramifications for what you did. Legal trouble? For what exactly all you did was answer a question on yahoo answers (and very well I might add).

I wouldn't give the matter another thought. Also I would block people from e-mailing you through yahoo answers as well.

Answer 7

There are a very few people on this site who are taking things seriously.

For doing your best in helping a child with good intentions, you definitely don't get into any legal complications and I am sure that the good intended deeds are always taken into God's books.

Like the other answerer said, don't take it seriously. Leave it off and they can always cheat about their age.

Personally if you take this site seriously, like a few others, don't answer silly questions and when you do your best to provide the best answer or a solution, don't have a second thought. Move on.

Answer 8

because even if there were a thing like that, the kid will just lie and say they are 18. I think what you did was just fine, this site is just for fun, there are no legal bounderies or anything, at least you have a good heart to help someone on here even if they were really depressed or just goofing off

Answer 9

yea i wondr the same thing answering some of these quiestions... like the legal issues... when you tell someone somthing and you wonder if that was legal or not.. yes, yahoo needs this to be 18+ or you need some reassurane that even if you DID tell someone to kill themself that you are not liable... because now a days people want to sue for anything they possibly could.. oh, well, i guess in return id just sue yahoo.

Answer 10

you did what you could to help...you crossed the line when you messaged her privately.

none of us actually know each other here, and it is tempting to think we do. this could be a kid goofing off, it could be a messed up kid...you just don't know.

but having a private relationship...even just via email with a minor you have never met is risky. I never accept messages from people I don't know.