This week I decided I would put the spotlight on a matter very close to my heart. Anyone who has had any interaction on these boards must have taken note of the fact that there is such a great variety of ages among the members. We have young teenagers and then the more mature, older variety that are still so young at heart.

One of my worries when I first became a member of Dragonmount, or applied for any staff positions, was that my age would work against me. I worried that people would judge me by that rather than what they have seen me give the community. However, Dragonmount is filled with such amazing people that this was never the case. I interviewed three of our younger members on this experience and I'd love to share their original expectations, their experiences, and what Dragonmount has come to mean in their lives.

When joining the site, what was your first reaction when you noticed the age difference between you and many of the members?

Heh, well, I joined at 13, (the minimum age limit) so I knew that I would probably be the youngest or one of the youngest people on the site, but honestly, I didn't really think much about it. (Maybe because I couldn't think beyond my need for WoT addiction to be sated.) Mostly, I was actually kind of looking forward to talking to non-teenagers since I wasn't a huge fan of my age group at school.

(Locke - joined at age 13)

I was extremely intimidated. Honestly. When I joined I also forgot I had because I had just started reading the series so I didn't join anything. Last year, I found my way back and joined everything because I had loved the series that much. Well, not everything, but mostly everything. The older members were totally awesome though with helping me find my way around.

(Lessa Nikia - joined at age 15)

I thought it was great. I love the diversity, not only in age but also location. You pick up on all kinds of things about the world and different generations. You also learn to think from a wider range of perspectives.

(Naked~Frog - joined at age 16)

Did you ever find that people judged you by your age rather than your behavior?

I never really noticed that kind of thing. But I do find it a bit weird that I have authority over people who are way older than me. It's only at one place but I still find it weird. Not as weird as when I found out Locke is younger than me. That's insanely creepy! Totally kidding.

(Lessa Nikia, Age 17 - Storm Leader of the Light in the Black Tower Social Group)

I think perhaps a bit when having serious discussions with the inexperience factor, but other than that, people mostly got to know me based on my posts before knowing my age and thus judged me mostly by that.

(Locke, Age 15 - Leader of the Light in the Black Tower Social Group)

No. Very few members seem to pay attention to anyone else's age. In fact, I'm pretty sure you have to actually go to other people's profiles just to see their ages and it's easier to just reply to whatever the person said. I've been offered virtual alcohol on a number of threads and when I say that in real life I am below the legal limit some people are shocked by how young I am...and others say I am older than they thought.

(Naked~Frog, Age 18 - Artists, Crafters, and Writers Guild Game Project Leader)

Has Dragonmount had an impact on your life at all? Would you be a different person if not for it?

In some ways. I have made a lot of friends on this website and a number of Dragonmount members are also my friends on Facebook. I guess it helps to know that there is a bigger world out there, and that even if the people around me are mean to me at times I will still have other people to talk to. I'm not sure if I would be different without it so much. I'm sure I would have found another dorky thing to do without it. I do like this site though and I have probably spent an unhealthily large amount of time on it in the past.

(Naked~Frog)

I would be making a statement that isn't true if I said that Dragonmount hasn't impacted my life. Dragonmount has been a rather large part of my life since I joined 2 years ago. This is mostly because it became a social outlet for me. This was really the only place that I could just comfortably enjoy talking to people. Because there are just so many wonderful people that are a part of this community. (I have sometimes wondered if there was a secret requirement of being awesome to join Dragonmount since almost everyone was just that.) I have had the privilege of getting to know some of the members here, and they have become some of my most favorite people. Truly a blessing.

(Locke)

I can honestly say that yes, Dragonmount has had a huge impact on my life. I met my Warder and current boyfriend here and although we're far apart, we're happy. I would be a totally different person if I didn't have him and all the friends I've met here. It's great that I'm able to be part of this amazing group.

(Lessa Nikia)

And that's it for now from our younger members! I hope you've all gained insight into the amazing, accepting nature of Dragonmount's members. Until next week, folks!