Membership Age Limit

At present there is an age limit of 13 years to be a member of this forum. As I would have thought that one of the reasons for having a forum like this is to encourage people's interest in photography I wonder if it would be possible to review this rule.

This last week my 9 year old son Jonathan had real pleasure in taking some photos which he wanted to post here. In the same week, 'justgetoutandride' has posted a photo by his 10 year old niece Sophie, in the competition.

I therefore wonder if it would be possible to change the age rule or, if this isn't possible, to introduce a junior category where younger people can post their photos and gain both experience and encouragement. I have never seen anything posted on the forum of what might be construed as adult, with the possible exception of some of the lens 'porn'

Steve

As far as I know it's a standard feature of phpBB forums so there may well be a legal reason for it.

I have a feeling that it might need a letter of authorisation from a parent or guardian for an under 13 to register.

I'll check and get back to you.

It's just a default, and can be changed:

http://www.phpbb.com/kb/article/changing-the-registration-agreement/

G

Go ahead and register - as long as he's being supervised we're ok with him being a member

Pete, thanks for that - I know he will be delighted to be able to post in his own right. I will of course supervise him - in part because he is mildly dyslexic and so at the moment needs a bit of help typing. This is another reason why I want to encourage him to develop his photographic skills and participate here - so that he doesn't grow up thinking that he is 'stupid' just because he has some difficulties with reading and writing.

Thanks again, Steve.

So am I! And my early belief that I was 'stupid' was as a direct result of my father! I am sure you will have a great influence to the contrary - as did my mother!

May I suggest using the iSpell add-in if you are a MS Explorer user. Very useful!

I also have learning disabilities.
dylexia, and discalculia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalculia), and memory problems, and aspbergers.

I also have a son with adhd, and another with autism.

I had grade 8 (didn't start reading till very late, then rocketed to reading at a university undergraduate level in one year, too late to learn to function in school...).

I spent a year and a half posting here every day straight, to practice my typing skills, before going to college.

Now it's a habit.....javascript:emoticon('')

Or, better still, use FireFox - which has full spell checking built in
Matt

I was joining forums at the age of around 13, with alot older people on the forum. I've found its made me more mature in the long run, its similar to spending time around older friends, it makes you act increasingly more mature, until its no longer an act

Steve!

Don't worry about it.

I'm actually stupid AND immature, and I'm still tolerated here!

See?

I look forward to your boy's visits.

Cheers

I distinctly remember (shock horror!) lying about my age the first time I joined an IT forum.

Admired and respected actually.

javascript:emoticon('')

My goodness,

Right back atcha, Don!

See, Steve, your boy won't find a better forum than right here!

I have to say that for the internet you have to lie about you age for face book and such like but lots of things have the 13 age limit!

David