Sorry, I don't really know where to start.
If you saw in the Discord earlier today, I raised a concern about Pokemon Go giving away locations and the risks that can come with sending screenshots to others on the app, and eventually, it lead into the topic about creeps and general internet safety.
I know the database is for Pokemon, but nonetheless, there's children on here, some as early as 9 years old, and that's just what I know about. I've been here for maybe 8ish years, including my dupes, and I will admit I have met p*dos and creeps on this site. It is the internet, after all.
I believe there should be a page related to the risks of talking to internet strangers. Kids trust people, so, so easily, regardless of age, and they're also extremely vulnerable to be taken advantage of. I'm pretty much 18, but that hasn't stopped multiple of our younger members from sharing their ages, locations, names, and faces with me. I'm so scared for them, not gonna lie. What if I were a really bad person, just pretending to be nice?
I have tried to talk about internet safety as much as possible with our younger members, in pm and in chat, explaining the risks and warning signs, and the general "never really trust anyone" speech, and even have warned a few about the risks of internet dating. I feel like I'm constantly trying to explain in a G-rated way about why you have to be careful, even here, to new users who simply don't understand. But, there's so many new users weekly, it's almost impossible for me to give them a whole rundown of how to be safe. and let's be honest, all of us think we know what we're doing, but we really don't, which can put us in even more danger.
I think it would be important for there to be a main page or a thread linking to the rules called something like "Internet safety: What it is and why it matters" or something, with a complete rundown about how to be safe and why it's important to be careful online, even here. I don't want anything bad to happen to any other kids here, so I'll happily write the entire thing if needed.
before you say anything, I know that isn't the purpose of the site, as PX once said "this is a Pokémon chatroom, not tips on how to get your life together", but I believe it's important due to the amount of young members we have, especially considering the chatroom. Please consider.
edit: typos