I don't mean this (I think it would change things if there was a "mature content" option) but I didn't want to add another option.

I don't think there should be mature content on a site like this and, therefore, no warning should be necessary.

However, I do understand that there are going to be some spots which cannot help but use mature content. (I refer to the "Avenue Q" spot - Which, unfortunatly, has mature content because that is what the show is about...)

i agree with cecily, there shouldn't be swearing so much in the first place and if there is use *'s at least i think.

Snerkie - if I say f*ck, why is that more acceptable to you than fuck? I mean seriously... I have never understood that.

But then I don't understand why people choose to take offense at letter groupings in the first place.

I don't think adding an option like "Mature Content" is going to make much difference, Curiosity killed the cat, so...enough said.

I agree with DrD, its just words.

not really with swearing just liek stuff maybe about sex i mean i think it was on hsm spot or zac efron and someone said wud u shag him , i dont personally think omg thats rude but younger people may be like ermmm do i answer it etc!

It might not change anything, people would most likely still look at it. But if they're mature enough they can handle it. And if the warning went up, they know they might be looking at something offensive, therefore they can't get offended because they would've known what they were getting into in the first place.

I think it's a good idea. I don't think swearing is so very offensive either, unless obviously you're swearing AT someone, in which case it's definitely offensive. But the fact is that some people are going to be offended by it, judging by all the soapboxes that have been written, so why not give them the option not to read it? It would solve the whole problem.

I'm with DrD on this one. Peole can TOTALLY figure out what you're trying to get across, so why not just say it? And Like Eden said, curiosity would definitely entice people.
As long as I'm not being sworn AT, I'm fine with those words.

A large percentage of people who surf on sites like this are children under the age of 16. I'm surprised that the majority of you seem to be okay with allowing young children to view comments with adult language and themes. I know children are "growing up faster" now, but I am disgusted when I hear of kids as young as eight in my dad's class passing around insulting notes with strong swear words.

I know that many of us are also mature adults, but surely if we're commenting on a spot that younger children will be reading we'd filter our language to include appropriate conversation. Swear words may be just words, but have we become as vulgar as to need to use four-letter-words for almost every adjective? I'm not encouraging insults, but I have found far more powerful and cutting comments from people not using swear words than those who just write a simple curse.

And I agree that using *s makes no difference. I have only sworn once on this site (to my knowledge) in a pick on the Avenue Q spot, and I used a star then more out of modesty than wanting to disguise the word.

I'm sorry to go off on a rant, but this has been ticking over in my mind for a day.

(By the way, I'm annoyed with this second attempt at this comment because I had originally phrased everything so beautifully and then my computer froze. Why is it when you re-write something, it never gets the point across as well?)

Cecily:
HA! I hear ya on the rewriting thing. I hate when that happens...

Everyone:
I would like to add that most websites like this aim for a PG-13 atmosphere. That means Parental Guidance. It does *not* mean totally no 'swearing' or sexual innuendos and such.

I am a retired shrink. I've said it before and I'll say it a million more times: Hearing or reading certain letter groupings has never ever not once scarred a child. If you think it will, then monitor their Internet usage - you know, be a freakin parent.

I will also say that although Fanpop is based in the US, it is a global website, and not all countries are as uptight as the US. Here in Sweden those words are just qualifiers. (man I need to make a macro of this I say it so much...)

To wit: An object which is fucking huge is simply far larger than an item that is really huge. The word 'fucking' has nothing whatsoever to do with fornication, now does it? The majority of the time, this is how these words are used.

Someone please oh please explain to me exactly why you choose to take offense at letter groupings... Because your parents did? Is that really a valid reason?

Think about it. Examine it. There's enough real crap in the world to get your panties in a bunch over.

I take no personal offence with letter groupings (as you so elegantly choose to call them) used sparingly and to make a point.

I guess I just mourn the loss of innocence in children and feel as though we're all on a slippery slope. No, swearing is not the worst thing in the world - but as soon as it's perfectly acceptable for young children to curse in such a way, a more serious matter will become more acceptable and so on and so forth. But now I feel I am just deviating from the original argument...

I don't believe it will make a difference, case in point when they put mature content labels on cd's that didn't stop kids from listening to it or buying it, if anything they wanted it more, I more concerned with the body image that is being put out their for my young niece, that bothers me more.

If I may give my two cents, kids these days are way too impressionable. Which wouldn't be a problem if their parents weren't as overprotective as they are.

Yeah. I don't really think that it would change anything if there was this option.

there should be so i can say what the "!£$^%%*)%&^£$%() gorden browns the %£^%**&£(*_%&"! priminister

I completely agree with DrD. People need to quit being so uptight about "curse" words. We can say whatever we want even if this is Fanpop. GET OVER IT!

And still not one person has been able to answer me as to the genesis of how and why certain letter groupings became taboo in english-speaking countries...

*They just are' is not valid.

why should children young enough to be offended by so called mature content surf the web alone!? and are we talking sexual content or violence!? horror, splatter, violence should be labeled as such( so mommy can say: no lets not click on that) but as for swearing and nudity!? i am german: theres naked people all over our fuckin beaches!

I've seen the spoiler warning misused often enough that I don't believe a mature content warning would be used correctly either. People would just add it to get attention.