Why Do We Protect Our Teens On 7cups?
Hi Community-Rumple here
So- my topic is safety. Not only safety but teen safety. So get comfy let's get started.
Here is 7CUPS picture online, all over. Imagine this scene..........
"I am 13 years old. I just got beat up and my parents are not supportive, school sucks and my boyfriend is mad at me. No one understand me, thinks I'm a baby and no one let's me do things. Worst thing is- no one listening to me. What's wrong with me? What did I do? Where can a 13 year old go, and someone hear me!?!?"
Now, please look at that picture again. Does it look inviting? Does it attract you in beliving "someone" is gonna listen to you? Does it look promising to a 13 year old? YES-YES AND YES! Now let's get started on a 1-1
"Hi Susie nice to meet you, I am Rumple. How can I help you?" Adult Listener "I am afraid. I was beat up and no one wants to listen to me, can you?" teen "I'm sorry you got beat up are you ok? I want to listen to you any time. I'm here for you and want you to know I'm your friend. Can you tell me more about yourself?"
(Susie shares alot with Rumple as she really needs to talk to someone. Rumple collects info, also finds easy way to manipulate this teen and emotionally get Susie to quickly depend on this man, let's get back to the chat)
"Rumple can you be my parent and adopt me?" Susie "aawww I sure will. Give me a hug. Hey to better connect with you, want to swap pictures of ourselves? You can then feel safe with me there.: Rumple
They swap pics
Rumple knows Susie is desperate and in emotional pain and lonely, this is his way to now get Susie to do whatever.....
"Susie I won't be on my computer for a few days. Do you think we can talk on the phone. I'm really concerned for you. I'd like to treat you like a dad would and care and love you. Is this ok?" Rumple "Oh no don't leave me. I thought you were my dad. Can I call you any time?" Susie "Yes hun. Here is my number 123-456-7890"
And then and there the numbers are exchanged, and the safety and security for that teen is unknown.
So how was that chat for you? Did you get worried for the teen? I know I did.
Teens who are reading this believe me when I say this as a human, an elephant and as a parent and an ALT here, we love and respect each one of you out there. You matter to us alot!! I know you are not silly on here and unsafe. But when we are in need, scared, alone and just want to be heard, we do silly things. I know I do. But that isn't your fault, but that person who is useing you and not respecting you. So please take some of these warning signs and remember them for me-ok
1. Never give out personal information other then your first name, IF you are comfortable with that. Or just share"I am not comfortable sharing my first name, can you call me ######?" Be direct and if they persist do end the chat and make a report or pm @Kate ASAP
2. If the listener is getting "to friendly" to quickly that also is a warning sign. Adults know their boundaries(well should know) and respect that you are a teen. This to, if you are uncomfortable please mention this or end the chat. If they continue take snapshots and send them in.
3. Harrassment/bullying/teasing/mocking ALL THESE ARE NOT TOLERATED HERE ON 7CUPS. No one should ever belittle you in a chat or members room when you are in need of support. If this happens take a snap shot and make a report. If you need to pm @Kate Also you can go to another Teen Star or ATL that you trust.
4. If the listener is sharing links that are personal, or inappropriate, please make a report ASAP. Yes links of music or pets or food are ok as long as they don't link back to you personally or the listener. I say get to talking to this listener for more then a month to gain some form of a relationship and trust you are ok with.
5. Listener being abusive/ Rooms also- Do not tolerate this from no one. Not no one!! You are valuable and a person that needs care and some empathy and heard. We all have issues in life we are dealing with. They are not your fault. If this is happening to you, please pm @Kate or go to a Tenn Star or a trusted ATL.
6. Adults acting like a teen. We know this does happen as well as teens on adult side. If you notice this, don't be rude, take a snap shot or call in a Teen Star or ATL or Kate so they can deal with this. Call for an emergency mod. Stick together as a community.
7. Being pressured into doing things you don't want to. Wow idk what exactly to say on this, or how.... If you are uncomfortable doing anything on 7cups which includes, things in 1-1's, team things, teen star things, in rooms. Anything on this site you don't want to and you say no-it's no. Make a report and try and get a snap shot. If you kindly shared a no and why, there should be no pressuring from no one on this site!
8. Boumdaries. Please boundaries are made to protect you mainly. In chats it's to protect both from emotionally getting attached and also for you to listen on when enough is enough. Take some time and make a few personally boundaries that can keep you healthy, focused and safe.
@RumpleSteeleSkin
Thank you for this rumple! I think this is very important to talk about! The internet can be a very scary place with and unfortunately there are bad hoomans out there who will try to take advantage of someone (especially a teen) when they are very vunerable. If you ever feel uncomfortable speaking with an adult listener, reach out, tell someone what's going on! even if it wasn't intentional or the person was just being friendly, you still have someone to talk to who can make you feel comfortable and safe.
And reminder, if you do ever make the mistake of sharing personal information with someone on the site, that's okay, we all make mistakes. You can try reaching out to @Kate, or even talking to a parent or trusted adult IRL
Please remember to put your safety first fellow teenies!
(Also on the part where it says Adults acting like teens I think rumple was implying adults pretending to be teens bit it made me think of all the oldies who claim to still be teens xD)
@HeyItsRoo
Roooo wonderful Rooooooh yes yes some bad hooomans do do things that really can injure another mentally. That is why I did this and will be doing more soon. I don't like hearing of ANYONE being taken advantage of, or scared of 7cups and leaving or anything else-
Yes I meant when an adult signs on teen side on purple and make it known. That we have to watch out for
Wow awesome safety post!!!! I think it's super important to know that 7cups is a safe space but sometimes sharing about your problems can make you a target because a bad person can use that to take advantage of you. They can gain your trust that way! So always follow 7cups rules & policy! Read @Kate 's internet safety post for teens HERE for more ways to stay safe on 7cups. A safe person will never try to encourage you to break the rules, but a dangerous person will try to lure you offsite and tell you to break rules
ALWAYS TRUST YOUR GUT!!!! If someone gives you bad vibes, don't ignore those vibes
@summertimeSamness
Heee---looooooo Summer great you stopped byYes I agree 7cups IS a safe place but some things DO happen to the ones vulnerable and in pain or alone here. Yes I agree follow the rules here and get some boundaries going to protect youself, and Kates post was awesome!!!! Summer thank you again for reminding us to always be safe here and on other sites
@RumpleSteeleSkin
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for sharing!! I had no idea this could happen it, but now that you've mentioned some of the things, I feel that this "over-friendliness" could have happened to me in the past. It really makes me think about who exactly I'm talking to, and looking out for the warning signs. I know we have ATL here on 7 Cups, most of the ones I know are leaders and they are amazing, but what could others be doing if they are talking to teens? Are the teens completely safe? Wow, it really makes me worry sometimes, especially seeing the 1-1 chat you provided at first.
Again, thank you for sharing!
@BrooklynM
Hiya Brooklyn wonderful to see you hereOnline situations do occur on here and on any other site daily. Thing is to "be aware" of things, listen to your gut if the other person is making you feel uncomfie, share to the right folks here on whats going on and not hold it in.There are many amazing ALT's and PS, Teen Stars....oh heck EVERYONE IS AMAZINGAlso if you like to talk on this more my pm are open I am an ATL and can help along with teen stars and other ATLs and our wonderful Kate
@RumpleSteeleSkin Thank you so much for taking the time to write up this incredibly important and educational post. It's crucial that we work hard to keep this place safe for our teens who are among our most vulnerable community members.
@VinylFly
Hey Fly good to see youIt is very important we work together yes, respecting, protecting the teens and the adults on here. Key is working TOGETHER
