[amazinglygraceless]

Read through this entire thread and would first like to say, Apollo,
considering how honorable a gentleman you are, I am sorry this
happened to you. Some of us have been there a time or 2 but
it still an arresting (no pun intended) experience when it happens.

Pete: I love your wit.

Crucial: I and no one else could have said what you said better.
Perfectly on point!

[Hazysky]

Some youngsters are very brazen these days, well done for sussing her out Apollo

[sam123gil]

To be honest I don't blame CB. We have many so many post of what's you pin. So you're bound to have a few that shouldn't be pinning people at all. I blame the parents, if you buy your child a BB, then you need to monitor them and what there doing.

[hannibal.king]

To be honest I don't blame CB. We have many so many post of what's you pin. So you're bound to have a few that shouldn't be pinning people at all. I blame the parents, if you buy your child a BB, then you need to monitor them and what there doing.

Sam, I could not have said it better myself!! I am a strong advocate of parental- not governmental censorship. And thank God, that Apollo was smart enough to figure out her age- that could have turned into something VERY ugly. And unfortunately, its the word of a 14 year old girl against a 40-something year old man, and I gurantee you, anything more, and there would have been no saving her if she cried 'stalker' or something.

I in turn, don't blame CB at all- though there should be some sort of credit-verification for the site- filter out the age a bit more. Ya know?

[inkwell]

I didnt think CB is for picking up people via blackberry IM? Its for learning and sharing experiences with other blackberry owners no matter how old they are.
If they are old enough to have a blackberry or get their hands on one then they are allowed on this site.

Theres a reason why my PIN isnt visible for people.
And if it was and people pined me, id atleast ask their name and age.

Its not E Harmony. Its a blackberry forum.

I completly agree with this post, but if you do meet someone here (with everthing being equal) I can see relationships forming.

[benzworm]

i only us BBM for my blackberry buddies!, but even I have had random strange requests after only a short hello..... but EVERYONE knows i am QUICK to delete the creeps...

[jerry12]

i don't see this as CB's problem if people are having trouble then just remove your pin from your profile. people can lie about age and so forth if it was me i wouldn't flirt with them even if i thought they were in collage. you can always change your avar that might help to. its sad but with the things going on now days we have to be real careful of our actions and i don't think their should be a age limit on here i have gotten some good pointers from very young people.

[Duvi]

Apollo, you know you and I usually agree. However on this one we don't. I don't think younger people shouldn't be able to come to CB and learn about Berry's or even just talk about them. I also firmly believe that any precaution that was setup would be bypassed.
I believe this problem begins in the HOME. No 14yr old can get a contract for a Blackberry. And I believe it is the PARENTS job to monitor what their child is doing. My son is 10 and no way would I NOT monitor what he's doing online(if he EVER gets that privilege). And my daughter is only 11 months, and it will be MUCH WORSE for her() I believe parents need to pay more attention to what their kid is doing, and block certain settings.
I personally don't give out my PIN for this very reason, but at the same time, you shouldn't have to worry about if you do. But..it is what it is...

No disrespect Apollo you know we usually align in our opinions and beliefs but I just feel this is a issue the PARENTS should solve and not CB.

My brother from another mother. All I have to do nowadays is look for a Crucial post and give the two thumbs up. No disrespect as well Apollo, but it's starts at the parents. It's also good to protect this sort of information if this is a concern to you. I myself have never had this happen (knock on wood) so I can't really see your point of view, but I do know if it did, I would kindly let the user your thoughts and then delete them.

[ScandaLeX]

I think there are several things that need to be addressed that havent been touched on. I agree that its NOT CB's responsibility to monitor ages. We are now dealing with the "New Generation." When I was a teen, there was no way I was going to have a cell phone. Most of you seem to forget that things are very different now - we cant compare today to 40 years ago.

Now lets get to the gritty - PIN messages have there place, but WHY is it necessary to accept EVERY pin request sent your way? I cant begin to tell you how many request I have rec'd. I'm not that curious to talk to every one that tries to hit me up. At the very least, PM me 1st and ask me if it's ok.

Most of the time, if I KNOW I dont know the person or have never seen them around CB, chances are very high that we have nothing to say to each other. JoJo said it best - this is NOT eHarmony.

Since its your PIN that's being invaded, I feel each of us should take on our own responsibility. I really dont care how old a person is, if I decline the request, thats just it. I dont feel that I MUST accept - its called having choices.

I welcome all ages to the site. Not every teen has the mindset of a flea. ecooper for example is the only teen to date on this site that I have the utmost respect for; but not every teen is like him and shouldnt be expected to be.

We need to get rid of the ridiculous notion that you have to be of a certain age to have a BB. If thats the case, you'd have to be of a certain age to do most anything. AC, if you dont want your daughter to have a BB or any cell phone for that matter, thats your business. The internet isnt just available via phone and BBM is just one of many instant messaging programs.

If you get solicited by a child, you delete them and move on.
Is it OK to be solicited by someone your own age? What makes that OK?

[ScandaLeX]

You have a good point but kids should not be contacting adults on CB and asking for a date. Sadly, this still happens, which is wrong! FYi, kids can lie about their age on the net!

I say the same about some adults around here. How about someone sending multiple PMs; then emails all for you to "get at them." Why?

[Apollo_Creed]

I think there are several things that need to be addressed that havent been touched on. I agree that its NOT CB's responsibility to monitor ages. We are now dealing with the "New Generation." When I was a teen, there was no way I was going to have a cell phone. Most of you seem to forget that things are very different now - we cant compare today to 40 years ago.

Now lets get to the gritty - PIN messages have there place, but WHY is it necessary to accept EVERY pin request sent your way? I cant begin to tell you how many request I have rec'd. I'm not that curious to talk to every one that tries to hit me up. At the very least, PM me 1st and ask me if it's ok.

Most of the time, if I KNOW I dont know the person or have never seen them around CB, chances are very high that we have nothing to say to each other. JoJo said it best - this is NOT eHarmony.

Since its your PIN that's being invaded, I feel each of us should take on our own responsibility. I really dont care how old a person is, if I decline the request, thats just it. I dont feel that I MUST accept - its called having choices.

I welcome all ages to the site. Not every teen has the mindset of a flea. ecooper for example is the only teen to date on this site that I have the utmost respect for; but not every teen is like him and shouldnt be expected to be.

We need to get rid of the ridiculous notion that you have to be of a certain age to have a BB. If thats the case, you'd have to be of a certain age to do most anything. AC, if you dont want your daughter to have a BB or any cell phone for that matter, thats your business. The internet isnt just available via phone and BBM is just one of many instant messaging programs.

If you get solicited by a child, you delete them and move on.
Is it OK to be solicited by someone your own age? What makes that OK?

Getting solicited by someone your own age Scandal is more acceptable in the time that we now live in. That alone is what sent off a red light in my head when I found out the age. It's also hard as it goes with pins. I send anyone a pin, my first name will show up and not Apollo Creed. So whomever was to get it wouldn't know who I was until I identified myself and vice versa. We all tend to disagree on things at time and I guess that's what make this country a great place. I do value your opinion as I do many of the other well known regulars on the site. By the same token, a lot of people do pin me personally for help. Sometimes a relationship starts up and sometimes it doesn't. when I say relationship I mean as a Messenger buddy type of thing.

[RedWings]

This is what happens when you'll talk to any chick off the net.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[ScandaLeX]

This is what happens when you'll talk to any chick off the net.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

And let the people say AMEN!!!

[rameal999]

When they said Texas I would have deleted them right then and there. Don't Mess With Texas... right?

[cr105]

My 17 year old daughter has a Pearl and I pay for our family plan. She can have BIS when she pays for her own phone and her own plan. In fact, none of my kids even get a cell phone until they go to high school.

I agree with those who said it is the parents. I don't believe children NEED to PIN anyone-sorry.

[bmcclure937]

<cut>

THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR USERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21, SIMPLE AS THAT!! Before a member gets caught up in something like I almost did, CB needs to FIX THIS QUICK!! To all legal aged CB users, BE CAREFUL WITH WHO PINS YOU AND ASK THEIR AGE!!!

Sorry, but disagreed! This site should not be limited to age, but specific threads could be.... such as dating threads, PIN sharing, etc etc. This would be for the protection of minors, but even then... should it be CB's job to police this... or parents?! This is a big debate that I am not going to partake in. Personally, I feel the age restriction of 21 is ridiculous... this is not a porn site or anything close to it, and even if it were... the legal age for "Adult Material" is 18, not 21.

This site is full of useful information for all ages. There may be "inappropriate" threads at times... but that should not be policed by CB, as this is a public forum!!

I'm still trying to figure out what would make parents (so-called) anyway buy a child something like a Berry anyway with all of the sexual predators and everything in this world??? Can someone please answer that one for me?? Please!!!!?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

The debate about parents getting children Berries has been a long-standing one. I refuse to get involved, because it will only spark arguments...

The thing I feel most strongly about is the way parents handle children these days. It is hard to believe. But, BlackBerries are not used for sexual reasons or a major medium that sexual predators use... what parents need to do is watch what their children are actually using their cell phones and other "toys" for (including Berries)...

[John Yester]

Well the monitoring would be easier in certain respects. You see when dealing with people in discussion on the forum normally it can be difficult to make a judgment call, after all you have some people being happy about something and others that pm you complaining about things. Unfortunately it's a very difficult thing to keep everyone happy. There are many other forums with out these problems.... And you suggesting it's a problem is you own opinion...

Obviously there would be 2 simple rules:
No Porn images/Warez (This could mean Banning from that forum or the overall forums)
No people under a set age. (They've already got access to the whole forums here, one small little sanctuary so certain members can talk about their drives, goals, ambitions and fantasies without having us moderators have to "ride their ***" (or Donkey).

I mean look at the dating section.... Man you want to talk about off topic.... this isn't a dating site..... but it's open to everyone..... Kids go on these video game forums now days and worse stuff goes on there then here.....



Otherwise the alternative is people will just have to put up with the "Subjectivity" when moderators make a decision rather than grinding them.


If this place puts in an "Adult Section" and relegates all discussions of "adult" matters there or starts requiring a "Not Safe for Kids" disclaimer for posts, that's when I stop coming here.

I can't stand capitulation to unnecessary censorship and political correctness.

Actually If I was to pull up on rules right now, everyone that singled out abercrombie would be I am suggesting banned for a duration(But I don't make that call). Since a number stalked her, abused her and pretty much went against forum rules/policy in doing so. (This is not a statement of being pro-abercrombie but the fact that the sites rules which are suppose to exist have been ignored.) And now a good member is gone.....

abercrombie wasn't the first person that people Ganged up on and Chased off, there was of course others. Again it's not about what content these posters placed on this forum but the fact that they were ganged up on. Now it's Anti-Moderator semantics, which of course is appearing again when people tend to lose direction in regards to what they are arguing about.

Just my .02

We are all responsible for our own actions remember that Apollo!

[ScandaLeX]

Oh boo hoo Abercrombie! Her approach to certain long standing members here wasnt stellar either. So please wave that flag elsewhere! She helped chase herself away!

[John Yester]

Oh boo hoo Abercrombie! Her approach to certain long standing members here wasnt stellar either. So please wave that flag elsewhere! She helped chase herself away!

So this is what this place has come to, us pushing others away for what reasons.... And like I said she was not the only one, just the most recent...

But you seem that it was right no matter what...

You think it's right to bash people and harass them!!!! If so you got to rethink before you speak...

If this is what this place is really coming to... then I feel I won't be hear much longer either..... People treat each other like crap now days on here and the past few weeks, its gotten worse for me as well... I used to be happy coming here...

[ScandaLeX]

So this is what this place has come to, us pushing others away for what reasons.... And like I said she was not the only one, just the most recent...

But you seem that it was right no matter what...

You think it's right to bash people and harass them!!!! If so you got to rethink before you speak...

If this is what this place is really coming to... then I feel I won't be hear much longer either..... People treat each other like crap now days on here and the past few weeks, its gotten worse for me as well... I used to be happy coming here...

No I dont need to rethink anything. You bought her name up. Had I not witnessed some of the nonsense 1st hand, I might have a kind heart that she is gone, but I dont.

One site cant please everyone and she did nothing to make her stay pleasurable. I dont see you saying one thing about any of the things SHE has said to members around here.

[Garz]

Oh boo hoo Abercrombie! Her approach to certain long standing members here wasnt stellar either. So please wave that flag elsewhere! She helped chase herself away!

Whether somebody brings it on or not, that is not a good attitude to bring about it. We get too many people asking us to cancel their accounts because they get abused in the forums. Sometimes we can rewrap them and save them but sometimes we fail. People should always be treated with respect.

[pashan]

I am a bald 62 year old married white guy who has drunk too much beer and not done enough exercize largely due to serious asthma as a child in the 60s. Am I gonna flirt with you? Nah.

The last time I was sexually predated was by my neighbors small dog who seemed to like my leg very much.

You could also take your muscles off your avatar.

Pete, I haven't laughed this hard in a LONG time!! That is hilarious!! :-)

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[John Yester]

No I dont need to rethink anything. You bought her name up. Had I not witnessed some of the nonsense 1st hand, I might have a kind heart that she is gone, but I dont.

One site cant please everyone and she did nothing to make her stay pleasurable. I dont see you saying one thing about any of the things SHE has said to members around here.

So. let's put it this way... With me possibly leaving... What have I said to others?

Have I offended you, did i make you upset.. no.. Have I harassed and bashed others.... no....


Have others got upset with me, yes at this present time some, but for their own reasons.. and I can not control that..

[bmcclure937]

Oh boo hoo Abercrombie! Her approach to certain long standing members here wasnt stellar either. So please wave that flag elsewhere! She helped chase herself away!

that is not the welcoming CrackBerry attitude that makes this the place everyone loves to come to. It is sad, but I have heard a number of members ask me thru PM how to cancel their account because of "abuse"... and they then go on to say "other BlackBerry forums" are "more friendly"

[bmcclure937]

Honestly, I feel that it is very very sad to see such a wonderful community become tainted and partially ruined by a select few members

The many reasons that lead me to become an active member and a part of such a great community are quickly fading away... and many new members are not feeling welcomed. Honestly, many members are being treated like crap and being scared away.

The "other forums" that CB members love to bash so openly are becoming more and more appealing to the CB "outcasts".

I really feel everyone should exercise open-mindedness and refrain from saying things if they are not helpful. So many times I have seen people jump into a thread and make off-color and rude remarks just to boost their post count (and whatnot)... even if they have no knowledge or do not care about the topic at hand.

Seriously, if you do not care... and you are not concerned about the topic being discussed, then let it go... and move on.