@DingleberryClock
While I do agree that there are things children aren't supposed to know, nothing should stop them or anyone to choose how they should identify themselves as.
The problem we're referring to, and has been the point of discussion is that groomers have become a common problem, and it all roots to internet pornography. Whether you like it or not, there's no bounds how it is spread, and it can easily be seen. Even if a filter blocks it, it's only optional. Young people are constantly exposed to it, whether by media, influence or shared, nobody is safe. This alone builds curiosity to learn something that they aren't yet supposed to, and the constant consumption by not just them, but for anyone can lead to disturbing situations. Kids with social anxiety are the most commonly targeted because they are easy prey for perverts, and they don't know any better. In turn, they can become monsters themselves, which has unfortunately happened, and there's hundreds of video essays about them. And no, I'm not saying this is a problem exclusive to NG, it's everywhere and it's inevitable.
Pandora's box was opened.
Just to be clear, this isn't an issue of the platform or any, but the people that exchange it and enable to others.
goncalves2341
I may not be aware what you originally said in the forum post that prompted you a ban for "lashing out", but if this is what you were banned for, the moderator is in the wrong.
The problem with social media sites like Newgrounds, is that anywhere can be "a meeting place" for child predators unfortunately. It's not fair for being punished for voicing your concerns. It should be the predators.
While the mods here may excuse it as an uncomfortable topic for the forums, and in a scenario where predators would be more common place that may spark an uproar in the community, while the moderators do their best to keep them away - should the people that are upset about it be punished for it? No. I'm not saying the mods here do a lousy job at keeping weirdos away, but they should be loose about the community's concerns. As much as they try to be drama free, it can't be ignored.
Nobody deserves to be censored if they care for the website. I've been a NG member for almost 11 years, has also played a part in my youth, and I want these groomers away from our website.
DingleberryClock (Updated )
Thank you. In their defense, I am a bit volatile. They banned me from reviews for expressing my opinion on artists' uploads. I made a semi-joking post about it, asking why P-Bot won't release the Epstein list, and was banned from posting on the forum for a YEAR. Maybe I'm getting old, but I just find the hours and hours of time spent over this highly detailed erotica to be disturbing. I legitimately wonder how many transgender youth on this site face gender dysphoria because of the message behind this kind of art. How many of these images depict a woman taking on multiple partners, possibly in bondage and implicitly by force, with speech bubbles and facial expressions that communicate an existential fulfillment?
Maybe the medium isn't the problem, but a societal illness. I know I probably sound transphobic or prejudiced, but we all have to admit that internet chatrooms and the availability of explicit material have enabled children to explore these things beyond what is appropriate for a young person coming of age. Is grooming a young person more acceptable when they're close to the age of consent, or even when they reach it? Porn sites all over the internet have made this content less freely available, with account registration necessary and even entire states blocked from their platforms.
Maybe I'm a prude. Or maybe the "in your face" chapter of the post-sexual revolution is enticing and alluring to children. We all grew up with adult media, but was bondage fetishism and slave/sub relations as freely available? Young people seek validation and open themselves up to predation to find self worth, and those feelings of self worth are tied in to the media they consume and a goal they feel they need to reach. That goal leads to zero time to reflect before pursuing new relationships, blurred lines of consent, exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, and to excusing and defending abusive tendencies in their partners.
I'm just really weirded out by the constant daily consumption and hundreds of hours of artists poring over what is designed to be disturbing and outrageous. Maybe somebody can correct me and give me valid arguments for sexual dominion as a life goal. Maybe I'm wrong. But the conversation hasn't been allowed.