Scientologist ASBOed for being over 36

And Vista begs you to understand

By Robin Lettice • Get more from this author

Posted in Letters, 27th May 2008 12:53 GMT

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Social networking website Faceparty has come up with a simple solution to the problem of online sexual predation: ban everyone older than 36. That's right, if you're too far into the latter half of your fourth decade (or heaven forbid, even older), you're an unacceptable risk, and your account (if you had one) is terminated.

I smell bullpoop!
However I see the reasoning, child abusers are often not children, therefore all adults should be placed in interment camps until they can prove that they are not child abusers.

Anonymous Coward

How is this going to protect children? Obviously it's not. As for anyone over 36 being a paedo, words fail me. Why 36? There are plenty of offenders in their teens and twenties. And there are plenty of over 36s on Faceparty who use it to meet over over 36s.
Can't wait for the first age discimination suit.

Rob Briggs

Sounds great, here's more possible deranged ideas:
a) men are more likely to be sex pests than women, so ban all men

b) students between 18-25 are likely to pretend to be younger than they are, so just ban all of them

c) younger members of the public are most at risk, so to protect them better, ban anyone under 16

I know someone will say 'but think of the kids!' I don't condone sex offence and I can suggest a few things that should happen to such offenders, but the usual response always seems overkill, and always makes the innocent feel guilty. Sex offenders don't care, they'll just go elsewhere, use a fake email (not like there's no way of getting any kind of mailinator account or anything), etc, while people who genuinely want to join are made to feel like criminals for the minority.

Here's another thought the govt should try - why not just ban the internet, then that should stop all illegal activities and get a few more votes....

Oh and one other thing. I'm not that age yet but 36 isn't exactly an 'oldie', but ageist aren't we?

John Macintyre

My new business pitch: a social networking website which is guaranteed not to fall prey to sex offenders using it troll for kiddies -- by having no users at all! This is a million dollar idea.
Paris, guaranteed not to fall prey to sex offenders.

Alan W. Rateliff, II

I'm 38. I suppose I'll go turn myself in.
Jim Jupiter