What action should be taken when an answer reveals possible criminal behaviour against a minor/under-age member?

Talk to Augustlan.

A call to CPS or a social worker should be encouraged. Strongly encouraged.

I hope that someone here is able to help this kid.

@SpatzieLover What can CPS or a social worker do if you have no idea where this person lives? What country even. Can they do anything at all?

You encourage the kid and give as much info as possible to her.

@Plucky They might be able to trace the IP address somehow? Still, I think the whole thing is very difficult. The kid probably goes to the internet for anonymity. But, at a young age they are not good at judging what is best to do, an adult, or the authorities intervening probably is best.

@JLeslie Yeah, I was wondering that (about the IP address).
But then you’ve got people saying that the kid will deal with it on their own and that we, as adults, are taking that away from them. When I was a kid I longed for someone to say something on my behalf.
I agree with the rest of what you said.

@Plucky Agreed. A 13 year old cannot know how to deal with something like this on their own. I hope she will at least talk to one of us on here if she needs to.

@Plucky It’s so tricky. Kids are usually very afraid of the consequences of them saying something, and of an adult taking action. I would say once in a while telling the authorities can make things worse depending on the situation. In the case of physical or sexual abuse, I would want to err on the side of telling. I think most children in that situation want someone to do something.

@Plucky you said it was being “handled.” How did anyone know the content of the PM to handle it? Unless you asked for help.
I would be more disturbed about it being “handled” when I exchanged a confidential message than the possibility of an original problem.

what was the Q on fluther?

@anartist Auggie said it was being handled and asked for the tempers on the Q to cool off.

Ha! This is about that question and me isn’t it? I didn’t really expect someone to go as far as to ask an entire question about it. I all assure you that I am fine and I have someone handling it on my behalf. Augustlan, to be more specific. She offered her help and I took it, knowing she was my best bet at something like this because she knows my general location.
I’m not stupid like you all seem to think. And I know how to handle things like this, with others’ help, of course.
I assure you that I am doing just fine. I have coped with this problem for over a year now and now is the only time I’ve sought help.
Joy to the world,
BB

@BBawlight Absolutely no one here thinks you are stupid. People on here were worried about you and thinking about how to help you. I’m glad you have Auggie to help you, she is the best.

@chyna It sure seems that way. Just because of my age. I understand what people are like and nobody knows me better than myself. I appreciate you all trying to help, but it is no longer needed as augustlan is speaking on my behalf.
Thank you for your concern,
BB

@BBawlight No, the question was not about you per se. I used the most recent example I could think of to explain my question. The question was about what to do in this type of predicament.

Edit: I answered your pm before checking this question. All my intentions and information are in that.

@Plucky Ahhhh. Ok. But I must say that I apologize for anything that may have upset anyone. I am just being blunt. At any rate, this problem with me is being resolved and I don’t wish to speak about it further.
You all may speak about anything here, I just don’t appreciate people getting into my personal matters without my consent. I thank you all again for the requests for help.
Thank you,
BBawlight

If there’s sufficient information in the question, you can consider using this form. I used it earlier this year for something disturbing I saw on another website.

Thank you, @Mariah. That is something I’m going to file into my memory if I ever need it. I didn’t know it existed.

As a general rule, this is what we (well, I) do. I PM the child in question, and offer my assistance. If they are open to it, we exchange some information, and I report it to the local authorities. If they are not open to it, unfortunately there isn’t much we can do. I only know a general location based on an IP address, and without a name it’s almost worthless. I once reported an imminent suicide, with just the IP address and some info gleaned from an email address, and it took the authorities quite some time to pin down the location. Luckily, that individual did not kill themselves, thank goodness.

@Mariah What a great tip! I know I will use that form within the next week.

Thank you for the replies everyone.

In hindsight, I’m not sure I would have asked the question publicly. I wouldn’t have used the example I did, if I asked it over again. I’m thinking I should have just asked @augustlan in a pm.

Any ways, I’m thinking the best thing to do (regarding this type of situation) would be to pm the person with an offer of support and information. Depending on the person’s perceived character and the level of possible danger to them, I might also pm a mod about it.

I did all but the latter but wanted to get others’ opinions.

I apologize for any stress/concern my question may have caused. That was never my intent.

@Plucky I’m sure we all know you had nothing but the best of intentions. :)