Again, no one is saying there aren't bad actors out there. What a lot of us is trying to say is that their presence doesn't mandate the obliteration of RP. Grooming otherwise does not happen without mutual communication, which ties back into the responsibilities of a parent or guardian to instruct an individual on online behaviors. No one under 18 should be responding to an ASL query, fact or fiction. If the person on the other end keeps pressing the issue, you block them and possibly report. It's literally that simple.

Of course, I also understand that kids can feel lonely and misunderstood. Someone on the internet paying attention to them may seem like a good thing. Especially if they called them funny, smart, cute, or some other compliment. This does not invalidate the above, and should stress that if personal information is a requirement for friendship, that should be seen as a red flag. Otherwise, the expected relationships in a game like this should be finding people you're compatible with for running content and completing specific tasks together. Occasionally venting that you've had a bad day is okay. Talking about what you ate for dinner is cool, too. Giving your measurements, not so much.

I think what some may also fail to realize is that ERP is a grossly inefficient way to predate and those so inclined are more likely to be sitting around an aetheryte sending a tell to anyone that meets their criteria, hoping for a bite. The same rules of defense apply, but with this knowledge in mind, should we petition for the removal of the tell function? How about party and FC chat? After all, you "never know what's being said," right? What conveniences are you willing to sacrifice in this made up war? Or are we just attacking the things other people like that aren't doing harm? Again, RP and mods aren't going away. You don't have to like them, that's fine. Fortunately none are mandatory, though I can't say the same of mods for other games.

Things happening in a video game is very low on the list or priorities of issues we should be addressing if the actual care of children/teens is paramount, but that's a descent into real world politics that won't go anywhere here.