gnostic-heretic:

y’know since a lot of current events that have put me in a really bad place mentally have had a similar pattern i would really like to get this off my chest.

there’s so many posts on this website about how adults should talk or not talk to kids, to be mindful of this or that, and i think it’s extremely important that we acknowledge that fandom as a virtual space will see those interactions happen and it’s important to act accordingly and call out inappropriate things. i’ve been a teenager in fandom, i’ve had adults act inappropriately towards me (and i’ve had other teens do the same; but this is another story for another day). i know what y’all are talking about. 

but you know i damn wish there were some guidelines for minors on this website on how to not act inappropriate with the adults on here so here’s some.

1. please do not lie about your age or omit to say that you’re a minor when you contact someone who could be old enough to be your teacher. please understand that this is already a breach of trust and a bad start for a conversation. we are going to find out your age eventually anyway. the harsh reality is that adults are going to talk to you differently than they would talk to their peers. yes, that sucks from your point of view, but understand that no matter how “mature” you feel you are, there’s a reason for that. and it’s not, it’s never a good excuse to lie. 
2. please do not act as if someone who is fundamentally a stranger on the internet to you is suddenly responsible for your overall wellbeing, and should act out of the blue as a teacher, a mentor, even as a counsellor to you just because you’re a minor. the great majority of adults on this website are not therapists and cannot act as such. if you receive “no, i can’t help you” as an answer, instead of pitching a tantrum and invoking the fact that the adult you’re speaking to should be responsible and has to coddle you because you’re a minor, go talk to your parents, guardians, or any trusted adult in your life who actually *is* responsible for you and can help you. 
3. for the love of god stop asking adults online to let you access, discuss or view content that is inappropriate for your age. do not send adults comments or content, even content you created that would be inappropriate considered your age.  please understand that not only this makes things incredibly uncomfortable and awkward for the person on the other side of the screen (who does not and should not want to talk to a minor about such things) but you’re putting the other person in danger by even just bringing up certain things. it’s a matter of legal responsibility. 
4. this means: don’t ask adults to review or beta your fic just to find when they open it that the fic contains violence or sex. don’t send adults messages or leave messages in public spaces (like discord servers where adults are present and responsible) about inappropriate things out of the damn blue… and don’t lie about your age to access nsfw content made by adults or to trick adults into making nsfw content for you… 
5. TO CONCLUDE: kids on this website loudly demand to be treated as you would a kid, appropriately for their age. cool. legitimate.
   however as an adult responsible for some public servers and with a small following that includes minors, i would love to ask yall kids to be responsible as well… and act accordingly to your age while keeping in mind that adults online are 1) not your peers 2) not your parents or guardians 3) not mental health professionals.
   if you have a tumblr account, you’re not 5 years old anymore and you have to understand the concepts of acting appropriately for the situation and owning up to your own actions.