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18+ Section?
Topic Started: Sep 22 2011, 07:28 PM (660 Views)
ZetaBuilder-ZNS
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Is there any way to alow 18+ content on a forum? Or is it totally prohibited please explain.
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Geoffrey-ZNS
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As long as you don't violate the Terms of Service, such as posting pornography, etc., I see no reason why it wouldn't be allowed.

If you can give more detail about what you mean by 18+ content, you can get a more detailed answer.
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ZetaBuilder-ZNS
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yeah no pornography, but zetaboards doesn't particularly want a vulgar chat area.. If anything it would be a lounge where certain members can curse a lil bit and just chill out. Maybe occasional discuss a few sexual topics without exposing pictures but idk what to do.
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wissaboo
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I've seen it tried before and it didn't go well. The younger set were rightfully pissed that the interesting conversation was going on where they couldn't have access to. And certain elements took the 18+ rating as a triple x and posted ideas and images no one wanted to see. Once you crack pandora's box it's pretty hard to draw the line as to what is and is not acceptable.
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Ryan
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A forum may not contain posts, uploads, links to, or send via email any Content that contains, promotes, gives instruction about, or provides prohibited Content. As the creator of a forum, you are responsible for ensuring that no prohibited Content exists on your forum and that no part of your forum violates the Terms of Service. Prohibited Content includes any Content that breaks any local, state, county, national or international law. Prohibited Content also includes:

  • Content that infringes upon any rights (including, but not limited to, copyrights and trademarks)
  • Abusive, threatening, defamatory, racist, or obscene Content
  • Viruses or any other harmful computer software
  • False information or libel
  • Spam, chain letters, or pyramid schemes
  • Gambling or Illicit drugs
  • Terrorism
  • Hacking or cheating for internet/online games
  • Warez, Roms, CD-Keys, Cracks, Passwords, or Serial Numbers
  • Pornography, nudity, or sexual material of any kind
  • Excessive profanity
  • Content that is invasive of privacy or impersonation of any person/entity
  • Hacking materials or information.


http://www.zetaboards.com/tos
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JuliaW
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Ryan, there is a small problem here, and that is what exactly constitutes "nudity", to use just one example out of many possible.

All in all I would tend to err on the side of caution, but there is a world of difference between posting a nude image and writing something like "he was in his birthday suit". Would the latter be okay? Would it still be okay if it was "he was naked and sweaty from the hot night he had with XYZ"?

I realize Zeta has to cover all angles, to avoid any potential (and potentially very costly) liability for any content whatsoever because one single lawsuit could cost millions, but perhaps it would help if Zeta actually refered to some established rules like the grading system used for movies, and defined the allowed content in terms of a PG rating or 13+ or 15+ or whatever, complete with a link to someplace that gave a solid definition of those terms? Perhaps not as part of the ToS, but as a guideline made just as prominent as the ToS?

Also people from all over the world can sign up for a board here, but cultures differ in what counts as offensive. Some things an American might find offensive wouldn't bother a European, but some of what they might find objectionable might not worry an Asian, who would be offended at what an African finds troublesome, etc. etc. etc. And that's just painting the picture in very broad strokes of continents, not countries and smaller social groups. Same with what's illegal. There are almost 200 countries in the world (depending on how you count them). Something is probably illegal somewhere in the world, including the word Pokemon, which might be a deadly curse in some place or another. (Okay, maybe not. I made that up, just to illustrate the problem.)

Now... asking about 18+ stuff... that's pretty explicit - or at least it sounds like it. But what is 18+? In this case it is just one person's shorthand for what might be talked about. It could mean anything and nothing.

Again I know that Zeta/Invision can't be too explicit in what they put into their ToS (because mention of something there might actually offend someone by just being mentioned, even if it is not allowed on the boards), but sometimes I wonder if a sort of "Miller test" published somewhere by Zeta/Invision outside the ToS would be a good idea, maybe some list of why a certain board has been taken offline. I know that could mean at least hinting at material that would be in violation of the ToS, but right now it is a big, fat gray zone there.
Edited by JuliaW, Sep 24 2011, 08:48 AM.
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Geoffrey-ZNS
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Julia, it would be safe to assume that all content should be rated PG 13 or less because you have to be 13 to register on a forum under the Child Online Privacy Protection Act. If they are under 13, that should be considered as their own fault for not following the rules.

Albeit, that PG 13 recommendation is just that, a recommendation. It is in no way an official rating requirement, but it's a wise way to make sure your content is okay for your audience since your audience has to be at least 13 years old to legally be a member of your forum.

I hope this helps, if you have any questions, just ask. It's early here and I tend not to make much sense until afternoon. ;)
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