CONFUSION (Generation Gap) - Comments

To true! Values are becoming oudated and there is probably nothing I can do about it but that doesn't make it easier to accept. I admit I am probably more testy about the subject now that my son has turned 12. He's the baby. He has three older siblings. For as long as I can remember he has always asked "When can do this or that?". Having older siblings he always wanted to keep up with them. Up until now we have been looking over his shoulder. We told him that when he turned 12 we would loosen the reins (that's when he entered middle school). Now I'm tempted to eat my words and rescind that. Why? Because he is now asking me "Can I use this word or that?". Offensive language is so frequent here that he's trying to learn whether it is acceptable or not. These are our children, they learn from us. Keep in mind that when I say "us" I am not referring only to parents but also the environment surrounding them. I guess I could take comfort with the fact that he comes to me with these questions. However, if it wasn't so widespread he woudn't need to.

@ amybh33
It's a lot less widespread on the Russian-speaking side of the internet, which would be difficult to know unless you knew the language. I do mean more offensive, I know I would feel more insulted if someone who rarely swore cursed about me as opposed to someone who swears constantly. Values are becoming outdated and there's not much anyone can do about it.

@ njet
Or bring it forth, to light so to speak. If you live somewhere it is considered vulgar and antisocial, even online, and I agree with that, why is it so widespread? More meaningful when they do? Don't you mean more offensive? You are definitely younger than me. When I hear foul language I consider it an offense and walk away from it. In my opinion, if you can't state your point without relying on this then you have no faith in yourself. Why should I give you mine? The problem is, although I, someone from an earlier generation, may walk away from it, younger people are drawn to it.

@ amybh33
Which was my point regarding culture, as I live somewhere where swearing is still very vulgar and antisocial, even online. Many people swear very little so it's more meaningful when they do. The eras and contexts are very different but the same values exist. I accept that the internet makes it easier for people to act in an unacceptable way because they don't see it as 'real' (real actions and real consequences), but there isn't much anyone could do about that, except prosecute where necessary.

@ njet
When I quoted those words I was trying to convey that although we were raised in a different technological era, it seems we were also raised in different word (language) eras. With the advent of the internent there is more connection online "virtual" rather than in real life "actual". When it comes to language anything goes, there is noone there to tap you on the head when you are using unneccessary or uncalled for language.

@ amybh33
I'm from a developing region where access to technology was very limited, but if you want to consider me part of the privileged Western youth you can think that. I understand how using curse words will affect the author, I was simply providing an example which contained swearing without bashing. I agree that they are unnecessary, but it is not against the rules.

@ njet
I really don't think that "I'm a part of your generation" is an accurate statement on your part, regardless of the part of the world you where you were raised in. You're right adding "f-cking" will not change the meaning of the sentence. It will, however, change the perception the reader has as to the integrity of the author. I can understand using those type of words when writing a story, accuracy is paramount, they made be needed to add to authenticity. when it comes to a blog, however, they are unnecessary.

Swearing and profanity is basically the same thing (the rules were referring to curse words), the only rules we have with swearing/profanity in blogs is that it is not allowed in titles but it is allowed in the content of the blog.

As for at people, I'm thinking you may mean bashing. It is against the site rules to bash anyone on any part of the site. Bashing means severe criticism or basically being very rude and insulting.

I'm a teenager but culturally, I'm part of 'your' generation, or even before that. That's just life in Eastern Europe, though it makes me feel so old too.

I'm surprised that you think Mibba is so difficult to navigate. I don't really understand the problems you have been experiencing but I'm sure an Admin or relevant staff member would be happy to help if you can't figure it out. As for the swearing/profanity, there isn't much distinction but from my understanding swearing is just using curse words (which is allowed except for in the blog title, even if you censor it) - which is a little different from profanity because you could add something like 'f-cking' to any sentence without it changing meaning, and profanity is in relation to bashing, being really rude about someone or something whether it includes swearing or not. Of course you're allowed to say you don't like something as long as you're not nasty about it.

I'm glad you like the site even if it's not exactly what you were looking for. I'm sure you'll get used to it, if you have any more problems you'll probably have a harder time trying to find someone who isn't willing to help

There's actually a tiny bit of a distinction between what words are considered swear words and what's profanity on Mibba now.

Our swear words are things like B*tch, F*ck, *ss, D*ck, C*nt, P*ssy, Sh*t, and C*ck.
Profanity is considered swear words plus words like Sl*t, Wh*re, W*nker, etc. Vulgar slang falls under profanity.

Profanity is prohibited in article titles, swearing is prohibited in blog titles, both are allowed in story titles as long as the story is appropriately rated. That's pretty much the difference.

With the profanity rule, you can use profanity to express yourself as you please really so it leaves room for a lot of usage. You can use it to express anger, just not anger directed at someone. The ect covers things like bands, fandoms, websites, corporations. Anything that you can specifically name you shouldn't use profanity towards in a negative way. People use profanity in many ways on Mibba, but we only prohibit it when it's bashing.

If you want to send a private message to user, you can click on their username and then click the 'send a message' button in the upper right hand corner of their profile. So like, if you wanted to sent one to me, you would click my username to the right of this comment to be taken to my profile and then you could just the send a message button in the upper right hand corner of the info section.

As far as I know, swearing and profanity go hand in hand with each other. Both are allowed on almost every portion of the site, except in articles and in blog titles. Swearing/profanity can be used in blog content though, it's just not allowed in the titles of blogs. When the staff says profanity can't be directed at someone else, what they mean is you can't direct it at another user. For example, you can't call another user a bitch or an asshole because that would be directing profanity at them as well as harassing them. But you can use profanity in comments to another person as long as it's not directed towards them. I hope that made sense. ^^' There was a time on this site when profanity wasn't allowed at all in blogs, but so many people hated the rule that the staff finally compromised with users about it. What can I say? We young people enjoy expressing ourselves with profanity.

You could try asking for advice in a blog or on the forums. Most of us are still fairly young around here, but maybe some of us can help you out with our experience as teenagers. Some of us are wiser than most teenagers haha. ^^' Worth a shot, no? Anyway, I'm glad you're liking it around here even if it's not what you were looking for.