Censorship In The Story Section

[depp]

Recently there has been a debate amongst myself and the moderators about some of the content in the story section. Many feel that some stories cross over into bad taste. These stories often involve kidnapping and/or rape.

While I am not a fan of kidnapping or rape I really don't like to see censorship of any speech. As of now stories that depict illegal activity are sometimes removed by the moderators when they feel that the story goes too far.

I am hesitant to allow this but understand their reasoning. The way I see it is that if we have a rating system, stories that are a little extreme are fine as long because they would be labeled as such.

I am really curious how all you guys feel about this issue. Please use this thread to voice your opinion so we can come up with firm policy.

[Marc]

Difficult to know - what one person may think is over the line another may not!

Clear labelling of 'dodgy' subjects might help - but would be dependent on the author, and the direction the story takes.

[kellock]

I think as long as it's labeled properly, it should be ok.

[Powerstrip]

I think that as long at is clearly stated that it is Illegal, not to be done etc etc then it ought to be OK.

Then again if some people are sensitive to this kind of activity, they may feel hurt or angered. It's a very fine balance and as long as the risks are shown (say a part in bold that isn't part of the story explaining to the reader that this is not ever to be done irl) then it could be OK.

I'll vote in a bit when I have pondered the question further as Marc says, it's a very fine line.

[JoMo]

Yep, some sort of [extreme] label on story posts would be good, to be perfectly fair we have a master/slave section and the stuff that is talked about ont hsi site would be considered by alot of people to be going "too far" so to label something as gross is starting the slippery slope to removing the non-judgementality which gives this site its charm, however some people might be offended by it so just a simple label maintains the integrity of this site and stops people getting offended.

[the Bean]

the labelling idea is the best thing to do. however, this site is full of 'illegal', or potentially 'disturbing' scenes. Most people would be sensible enough to understand what site they are on. Kinda hard to put into words, but if they find something disturbing then they shouldnt be on this site, they know wot its about. I say to the leballing idea, and if people still complain, then it is up to the mods to remove it.

[17.m.uk.master]

filters? if you add a rating option to the posting and allow people to choose wheater or not they want to veiw 'illegal' rated stories? or age limit them.. this is all easily achievable using some nifty php and a little sql :) i had a simular system on my game once. users who had certain things enabled could view certain objects, which others couldnt .. could prove to be very effective here

[Fiendish]

I say a rating system would be fine, or something like the poster above me said, some nifty php coding would be good too...

But don't censor the stories, some of them are good.

[TrekBoy008]

I would suggest setting up a rating system and warning when stories contain topics such as rape. It is far more fair than removing a story because one mod thinks it "crosses the line." Reminds me a bit of the "I know it when I see it" definition of porn.

[Bored]

i truly dont think it is that bad. people are smart enough to know what should and shouldn't be done. and people are not going to rap or kidnapp someone because they read it here. it is a good idea but i think it is not neccary. but if you do it is ok. but before you delete a story you should ask the author to change it.

[sjsully06]

I disagree with the rating and blocking idea, however stories of rape and kidnap just are not needed so i see why you want to impoe that, personally I think this website should be banned to all people under 18 seeing as it deals with mostly sexual acts, I think an age varification is required....

[JoMo]

why an 18 age limit? There is no pictures of nudity so on there is no way you could link it to pornography and in england the age of consent is 16........and really, who are you to tell people when they're old enough to enjoy stuff like this without it being harmful? Aslong as the website has no legal liability then I think an age limit is once again restricting the culture of the site.

[xxxMichellexxx]

The ratings would most likely just be suggestions. When an age limit was put in effect for the slave/master section, it left some members unhappy, lets say. We didn't want to enforce an age limit (because of this) but we did want to do something. The details of the rating system have also been discussed...

[bobo]

i agree with powerstrip a label would work
maybe one like the [fiction]/[non-fiction] one

[Powerstrip]

The problem really is responsible use of the system. People may be too eager to get it posted and forget parts of the info required (T or D stories section seems to be well kept, but you can see from other sections, ie new users forget bits)

I suppose the only way of really making an effective system is to get a set of drop down menus (similar to the master slave section) to add in info about what is contained in the story.

Nice to be able to talk about it, but the solution is going to be tough :\

[Musty 21]

well by the poll isn't i clear? lol but depp makes the final choice

[depp]

The problem really is responsible use of the system. People may be too eager to get it posted and forget parts of the info required (T or D stories section seems to be well kept, but you can see from other sections, ie new users forget bits)

I suppose the only way of really making an effective system is to get a set of drop down menus (similar to the master slave section) to add in info about what is contained in the story.

Nice to be able to talk about it, but the solution is going to be tough :\

I think what I will do is make a thing like the slave/master section has. I'm way to busy at the moment to do this so I would say wait a few weeks until I have free time.

[Maverick]

A rating is only going to be useful if people take it as a warning. There are still people who complain about whats on TV despite its rating because they don't want you letting your kids watch that stuff.

The 18 restriction is also a concern because many places have laws about minors reading erotica, its not only a pictures sort of thing. And it might be cruel to get someones hope up that thats what life is like once they hit 18.

An easy thing to do is impose a warning system, or a content system. Some sites have content markers. If the story contains bondage, you put a bd tag on it. if it contains sex, you put an mf, mm, or ff, or fffmmm, depending on who it involes. There are a dozen other examples. Or you could just put a simple rating for some of the more extreme stuff.

Either way, the best thing to do is to tell people: If it offends you, don't read it. I know thats how America used to be, and it worked.

[andom4444]

i think some of the sicker stuff should not be allowed, that like having child pornography and then saying its not our fault we allowed it to be posted, its your fault for reading it. sick things should just be deleted.

[Powerstrip]

I think what I will do is make a thing like the slave/master section has. I'm way to busy at the moment to do this so I would say wait a few weeks until I have free time.

If your talking about the how it is posted by using drop down menus, that would definitely help as people getting it wrong are either stupid or out to actually go against the flow.

Good Luck on getting it going (Recently discovered how busy you are so good luck and take your time over it :))

[depp]

Thats the plan. I should find the time within the next few weeks. In the meantime just put something in your thread title to warn others.

EX: My Very First Rape Story [FICTION][EXPLICIT CONTENT]

I'll see what people do and base my applet on it.

[Musty 21]

when i write more stories i'm gonna rate it like the dice dares

[Smile Guy]

Hmmm...

It just doesn't seem right to allow people to write about rape, sexually-motivated kidnap, and child pornography like this will allow people to do. I fear it will lower getDare's safe reputation... but I guess the voting has spoken and I have no choice but to follow orders.

[Powerstrip]

Hmmm...

It just doesn't seem right to allow people to write about rape, sexually-motivated kidnap, and child pornography like this will allow people to do. I fear it will lower getDare's safe reputation... but I guess the voting has spoken and I have no choice but to follow orders.

Getdare continues to have a safe reputation. Just because there are stories of something gross/wrong/illegal does not mean that we condone it. It is simply an outlet for this type of thought. We can all differentiate ourselves from a story and real life can't we?

Reading a story does not mean that you should go and do one of these acts.

[depp]

My current plan is to have a section for these stories that will be age restricted. I am still thinking about ways to do this however.

[Wcbrown514]

Now I know just like most everyone knows there is a line, but as most everyone has said the line moves for everyone. Rape wouldn't seem over the line to me, but something that would deal with children in a sexual way would seem complete unreasonable. I would say rating system is the best way, but please be sure it is a fair rating system. Well I just thought I would put in my two cents.

[the Bean]

i think depps final idea is certainly the best one in most cases. But dont even think about censoring the whole site to over 18's. you would lose loads of members and possible talented people. anyway, half the mods arnt over 18... or some of them arnt anyway, i dont really go around checking....