Oh yeah - this was brought up in another forum - I think the younger set DO gain from older members experiences, but today's tech-savvy youth have issues that I cannot really understand in that I still own a flip phone. The most progressive tech out there when I was a teen was a VCR and most teen today have never seen one of those! (Lord I feel so OLD now); I do think that it would be a good idea to have older members involved in the group to assist and advise as needed, but I also wonder if younger members would benefit from a place of their own to talk and share about their experiences that I cannot really relate to. I think it would be good for them to be members in such a group ALONG with this group to get the "older" perspective.
Just a thought - what thoughts do others have?
Refuse2quit

I think that it is important that they have older people available to offer advice... While it maybe nice to have a group of teens, I don't think that enough grownups will go their to offer advice!!! I think that teens offering other teens advice is sort of like the blind leading the blind in a way!!! If I was a teen I may only ever to to a teen site if that was an option but then I may miss out on valuble information from people like me, who is a parent as well as a survivor!!!

I agree with lovesmama- im not young anymore,il be 24 shortly but I find having access to older adults who have been through similar events so beneficial. I have always seemed to work best with people who are in there 40s-late 50's. which is maybe odd considering that would be the age group my abuser is.
I like there wisdom, I like that that have that bit longer expierence of life than me. my mental understanding is poor sometimes and I seem to trust some older people more. I have never really got on with people my own age well. this all maybe due to the abuse ect. I don't know but having older adults to chat with is a real benefit to me.
I think teens in with other teens all get to over dramatic and exaggerated and out of hand and therefore unhelpful.

but as to your point about technology- that opens up a whole other new world just leading for more abuse to happen and further means of exploiting people.

Both extremely valid points - and something to consider - I do think the older, more experienced survivor has much to offer, just wondering about a group that is more "teen friendly" in some way. Hummm.
Again, just a thought....
Refuse2quit

I think overall it's a good idea, yet if those of us with experience are helping out, we basically already do that here. I still remember those days and know the fear and apprehension when I first starting on this path of healing. They are very brave and courageous to deal with this at their age and I wished I would have done this since it would have saved me from living 30+yrs of misery. Even though I'm a bit of a dinosaur with all this technology, i'm still relatively up to speed on all the harmful effects that all the various aspects of social media has. I and so many here, share our strength, experience and wisdom, we do this from our hearts.
I guess we need to hear, how the younger ones feel about this, either way I for one will help out, Blaine

I think it's important for a teen to have a safe group of their own. Unfortunately, online doesn't always necessarily mean safe as we have seen recently- even on here. There can be trolls just waiting in the background ready to pounce. These teens need to be aware of red flags. If its "too good to be true" chances are- it is. For example : if a grown man approaches a young teen girl and offers to go above and beyond - big fat red flag- chances are extremely HIGH that you've been contacted by a creeper. Back off quick! Do not give out your personal information and block them. Many people are very nice but some cross certain boundaries.- especially since we are in a support group forum where we tend to be more vulnerable and more apt for someone to try to exploit us!

Copied my reply from the SA forum:

Refuse2quit,
I wonder if the younger members could connect via friend requests on this and the incest survivors site if they wanted to. I think there is already too much isolation--ironically enough--with i-phones, facebook, etc., and etc. and do not favor a separate forum for teens or early 20s.

I also agree with LuckyEmpath that adults with life experience and various degrees of healing may be more helpful than the 'blind leading the blind.'

I understand the value and pull of being able to relate to each other on a similar level, but in this case I think it's more valuable for teens+ to hear from those who've learned whatever it is that they've learned on their healing journey.

As a teen, an "adult moderator" would feel intrusive to me. I would want to be free to hear from everyone and make my own decisions about what feels right for me.

I think a community of young, middle, and sage is the best mix for healing.

P.S.
I must also add that I have learned amazing things from the young folks and would not want this two way street turned into a dead end.

xx
SuzA

And I definitely agree - I do wish someone would explain what a MeMe is, but other than that - love the young, middle age and sage - great phrase.
And again, I was just throwing it out there as an idea - and I agree - the advantages of all of our experience probably outweighs the bonding of the younger ones.
Anyway, just wondering!!
Thanks for the input and the new phrase!!
Refuse2quit

Refuse: I have the "urban dictionary" right on my browser, it helps me to decipher all the new terms lol Yes there is hope for us Dinosaurs!

Walkingbuffaloman -
Thanks for the resource - now look up MeMe - LOL...
I am serious - have NO idea about this new (?) term.
Refuse2quit

A meme is generally a picture say from a generation that is passed to another generation and sayings are usually added to it. Like my son sent me one that had The OLD willy wonks on it that said "Ohhhh, so your in the Air Force.... Tell me again how hard the military life is...." He's in the Marine Corps. It's pretty well a running joke that Air Force is the easiest of the branches. Lol. Anyway- they generally take an older pic and write something funny on it.

Thank you so much! Have wondered this for the last couple of months! I am SOOO behind - At least in tech-speak!
Have a good weekend everyone - partner wants me to take a little time off the computer - as I say, I think he thinks I am downloading porn or having an internet affair! LOL...both would take way too much energy and imagination!!!
As usual - my best to all, and all my best!!!
Will check in from time to time for PM's - No long posts though - I promised him I could stay away for a while -
Refuse2quit