Player looking for children in chat

I've just seen a chat message in-game that troubled me, and wanted to report it, but wasn't sure whether the player broke the rules since i don't really know what the rules are.

He asked whether there are "youth and kids" playing Jotun, and if so, who are they? Seeking to zero in on children is creepy and wrong, IMO, since the way it was phrased gives me the impression it's an adult asking.

Well, i guess i've done my civic duty by mentioning this, and i feel better :)

Rules are listed in forum.   Just a quick fyi in case your interested.  And yes personal information is restricted.

Yes that was really creepy this evening

Sorry B - I agree with the others and don't think its overreacting. It's creepy and inappropriate, and we should keep an eye out and warn people about that kind of behaviour

I also think they overreacted. I know the person who asked and I know why they did it. They are getting ready to go to war and wanted to make sure none of their intended victims were children who might feel they were being bullied. It was done in all innocence and with only good intentions.

I do understand the view point of the ones who thought it was wrong and if I had not known the source and the meaning behind their question I would have reported them right away.

That is a good thing to know about the age limit and I was watching the chat during the conversation. I do know how to use the report button :)

I also think they overreacted. I know the person who asked and I know why they did it. They are getting ready to go to war and wanted to make sure none of their intended victims were children who might feel they were being bullied. It was done in all innocence and with only good intentions.

I do understand the view point of the ones who thought it was wrong and if I had not known the source and the meaning behind their question I would have reported them right away.

I watched this as well, and since I also knew the source I felt awful that the situation went into the direction it did.

I didn't participate in the in-game discussion at all, i was an observer only.  I'm not sure the word "overreaction" is appropriate in re my response, not only because the only thing i did was calmly mention my concern for the welfare of children here in the forums, but because i think this can be more accurately ascribed to misunderstanding.

From what others have posted here, i trust that what the player in question meant to say was along the lines of "i want to make sure the players i'm attacking are not children." However! The way it was phrased really made it sound like "I'm an adult looking for some unsupervised kiddies, point me at 'em!!" S/he really sounded like a chid predator, and since i had no way of knowing it was only a poor choice of words from a well-intended player, then my "reaction" was certainly not "over!"

In another game i played long ago, i befriended an 11-year-old who was put through an online experience at the hands of an adult that, in my mind, was the closest thing to r**e that a person can get without physical contact. I don't know about the victim (we've lost touch), but i still have nightmares about it over a decade later.

Child predation is a real and serious problem. Please don't take it lightly, even if you think there aren't any kids around (because you can never be 100% sure there aren't). As bad as overreaction is, "underreaction" -- in tis case -- has the potential to be exponentially worse. 

And no, i'm not suggesting you start a flame war with anyone who says anything even remotely fishy. Just keep an eye on 'em, that's all :)

Of course; and therefore misunderstandings are inevitable.  I'm not sure i understand why you mention that. Did you get the impression i faulted the player for being unclear? I did not.  My points were only these: (1) i misunderstood, but i believe i was justified in that based on the wording of the question; (2) child predators are out there, so i don't believe my measured, responsible reaction was out of line. 

At this point it sounds to me like you are spending a lot of words justifying your bad call.

We are all aware that bad people and threats exist on the internet but after a year and a half playing Totem Tribe II I feel pretty safe here.

I suggest maybe you should just apologize to your accused and move on with your life.

Ah, Simba, where do i start? 

I have not "accused" anyone; i did not mention any player name. I did not file a report. I did not scold the player nor participate in the in-game flame war. What i did was mention my discomfort at what seemed like a grossly inappropriate quest. I am allowed to do that, and where children are involved, that goes double.

Did you even see the remark in question? I will try to repeat it as faithfully as i can: "Are there any youth or kids playing Jotun, and if so, do we know who they are?" I am not the only person to interpret this as "I am looking for children." I am not the only person to be made uncomfortable by this, taken at face value. If you don't believe me, look at some of the other comments in this very thread.

You may find it helpful to learn that predators do not warn you before victimizing you, and often do it in places you feel safe. It's great you feel safe, it's great you think that nothing bad will ever happen, and it's great you think that a person speaking up about a big red flag is a stupid jerk (that last "great" was sarcasm, the others were not). But just because you feel that vigilance isn't necessary doesn't make me an a*****e for engaging in it. I did the right thing. I do not owe any apologies to anyone.

When did speaking up for the innocent become an invitation to be attacked??? What kind of community is this that a person who cares about the welfare of children gets slapped around for the simple crime of being concerned??? I'm feeling less and less safe here all the time ;)

I've mentioned that because both the player you were reporting and myself are not native English speakers.

I gathered :)  That does explain why the phrasing was ambiguous, but i already said above that i trust the player's friends when they say it was a misunderstanding.