From a concerned mother here on imgflip. What guidelines would you add?

The recent outcry over Jeffrey Stone's inappropriate behavior on imgflip has me wanting to point out some things that concern me about the kids behavior which does not help matters.

1. I've been seeing kids posting their pictures here. Remember that Jeffrey is a creep who chooses to make himself visible. There's many, many more who are prowling around the internet unnoticed. Many of them purposefully following kids' streams. Once your photo is online it's there permanently. Even after you "delete" it. The safer option is to make these streams private but it's still wise to not post yourself.

2. This should be a given. Would you hand out your phone number and email to random strangers on the subway? So why are you doing it here? Kids now complaining Jeffrey is sending our asking for nudes via email or text. Guess why? (If indeed it's true)

3. Moderators really don't have a way to keep track of private messages or even capture predators if they send you something inappropriate via text message or email. Before you block or delete ALWAYS screenshot and report and get feedback from a site moderator. Also let your parents know. Then by all means, block and delete, don't reply, don't communicate with anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable.

4. Jeffrey Stone is unique in that he makes pretty clear he's a creep. Most actual predators hide themselves pretending they're anything to earn your trust and get you to talk to them. They'll pretend to be another 8 year old or 12 year old or even a trusted adult like a teacher, a counselor, a coach. Not that everyone who claims to be these things are actually criminals but just take what they claim with a grain of salt and be cautious. Never share personal info.

5. This site says it's for 13 and up. Personally I still think that's too young. Maybe 18 and up is more appropriate for the content that can be found here. And I see kids as young as 7. I'm not sure how many of you are here without your parents knowing but I think they need to know your whereabouts online just as much as in real life. I'm sure they wouldn't approve of you going to a bar or strip club or 18 and up event by yourself if at all. Some stuff on here is not for kids. And it's safer if your parents know.

Sorry this is so long. I really hope the kids read this and think about it. I'll welcome any discussion on this.

Well... some of use joined as 12-13 tho...

ya man like me

Sacrifice Jeffrey Stone to the sun gods to help stop global warming!

Kate, you’re ruining the fun again

What fun?

I was joking pika

Oh, okay. Sorry, can't tell.😅

You’re too busy destroying worlds that’s what

Yeah.

This is absolutely necessary

The internet is a dangerous place, and more abused than used.
Now when it comes to Jeffery, I think he's more of a troll than an actual bad guy. At least judging by what I've seen of him. If he's really a pedophile giving himself away on an open forum like imgflip would be pretty stupid. But as Kate rightly noted, most pedophiles are just pretending to be nice people or even somebody your own age in order to set up a trap.

The power of moderators does not go further than the community/network they moderate. Having moderated many communities myself over the years I had many issues in which people were e-mailed with all kinds of harassment stuff, varying from just trolling to sexual stuff. Although the misery started on the website it went over to e-mail, or MSN (doesn't exist anymore), or Skype or ICQ or whatever networks we had back then. And indeed to even phone calls. And what can a moderator do then? Nothing at all. Bans may normally only be given for misbehavior on the website the moderator in question moderates. As soon as the bullying passes over to another network a moderator is powerless.

I can also say this in the other way around. When I moderated site A, I was sometimes warned about people who did bad stuff on site B, however I wasn't a moderator of site B, and all I could say then is that what happened on site B was at the responsibilities of the moderators there and that I had to keep my mind focused on site A. Since site B wasn't an associate of site A, I wouldn't get any data from them, so no way for me to act. All that could be done was keeping an eye on them and make my own judgment.

When it comes to point 5 in Kate's meme... Yeah, I know all people younger than 18 are gonna hate that. I would, for sure. Now in my case that wouldn't be fair to compare, as we didn't have internet back in my minor years, and the relationship with my parents is.... I better not talk about that. But still, I know it's incredibly nasty when your parents keep an eye on you when you feel you can act on your own. It's part of growing up. And normally I'd say, go on, meet your misery and learn the hard way, but as the damage the internet can cause is permanent and can ruin the rest of your life or worse. A very famous story (because it involves a YouTube video which went viral) is the story of Amanda Todd ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_of_Amanda_Todd ), who got herself so deep in misery, thanks to the internet, she eventually committed suicide.

Probably good not to share your full name either

if you share your full name that's it. There are internet sleuths and they can find you in real life and do stuff to you

Mm-hmm, so keep it secret

Well I’m under 18 and my parents don’t know I’m here. My username isn’t my real name and I have never shared any contact information

By making a private image that you didnt submit then sending the link

Ah, thanks for that explanation. So an anonymous meme, unpublished with whatever detail intended and a private link given to the 2nd party.
Good to know, simple really.

You can access someone else's meme comment that way to message them/open a dialogue.

Bear in mind it's not necessarily totally private, as anyone else can peep in if they look also.
One memer spent hours a few years ago looking for dirt on a troll clique and found it.
I've accidentally bumped into two convos, one while Googling for a comment I read here once and another while trying to message someone myself.

Okay yes got it.

Normally to message someone more quietly {as opposed to with any privacy} is I spot a meme that is older so there's less traffic through the page without everybodys eyes on it and use comment.
Another way would be to create an email address somewhere for the purpose of creating a private channel of communication and then disclose the address to everyone. And then privately message on set up address where you disclose your actual email address and then cancel the purposely set up address.
or leave it working and see if trolls stalkers appear.
Thanks

Do not cyberbully anyone. I think that is a main one you forgot.

definitely

I’m only about a month underage and only my dad knows I’m here

why can't you obey the rules? You can not be trusted!

I am literally about a month and two days until my 13th birthday

I got nothing to hide.

Hey kate

*me just casually following all of the rules except for 5*

Ah, I suppose I'm breaking the rules then?

I’m here and my parents don’t know and I’m 14!!! it kinda nice. My therapist thinks that it’s great that I’m interacting with others.