Is this site suitable for a 12 year old?

David, contact Sol - I think there is an "age limit" of 13, but I could be wrong.  As to appropriate, there are mature work on the site; most writers indicate adult content in the chapter descriptions for what it's worth.  Also, there's an active young writers group - so if he joins them, I think there shouldn't be a big problem (Sol moderates that group which would also give you some piece of mind).

Cheers Janet R

Heck of a good idea, bimmy. A Junior TNBW would be a great asset.

Generally speaking, I think it would be a bit tough to handle. Not because of any posted content, but because the majority of pre-teens are not mature enough to deal with the type of criticism they would receive here. Worst thing that could happen is a kid could have a bad reaction to a critique that resulted in them never doing any creative writing again. As fickle as kids are, they might swear off writing and never look back.

If they want to write, this is the point in their lives where they should be exercising their imaginations, coming up with ideas, absorbing inspirations, and trying to write what they want without worrying about adhering to writing rules or dealing with criticism that, while constructive to an adult, could damage the drive of a young person. They should not touch critique groups or self-publishing until they have the maturity to handle it. The first time I posted writing to any kind of online critique group was when I was sixteen, and I found the criticism tough to handle THEN. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had the Internet when I was twelve. I probably would have been scared off from writing forever.

Not to say that I agree with the extremist positive reinforcement philosophy that has crept into our society, but that really is the age of encouragement. Not the age where young writers need to be beaten down with criticism. Let the kids be kids. There will be plenty of time for fine-tuning later on if this turns out to be something they want to do.

My other comment is that if the youth group in here is a closed group and members must be approved and only members of that group can see and comment, then I'd think it would be okay. If anyone posts a harsh comment which could discourage a young writer, that person should be booted from the group. Polite and constructive. Of course that should be the rule for every group and reviewer, but it's not always the case.
MzP

Food for thought here.
Yes, Nik and Mrs P, I think young minds need to be protected from ill thought out critique. Perhaps if any potential TNBW Jr section was moderated by approved persons and that all critique was managed, buffered to be delivered to the young writer in such a way that it could only help and encourage.
Mrs P, I know what you mean about harsh critique. I as a newbie to writing, have been floored by severe reviews. It's weird when you are receiving positive critique, that on the whole is very good, being both helpful and also encouraging; t hen there is that one twenty that cuts you.

As my latest book nears completion I'm steeling myself to once-more start publishing my chapters. Unlike my previous attempt, where I found the cycle of reviewing others and being critiqued to be difficult to juggle, this time I'm waiting till I have a first draft.

Thanks all.

Any parent that would let their child on a website like this needs their head examined.

A public library is not an apt comparison to a private website that is controlled by a paywall that needs to be accessed by having a credit card or PayPal account.  I know it has a free section, but that is a mistake - and is being rectified.  The question posed was "Is this site suitable for a 12 year old".  The answer is, "No, of course not."  If you want to point out the 0.001% examples of freakishly (emotionally and intellectually) mature kids, then you are just being argumentative.  A public library is designed for 12-year olds.  A site like this is intended for adults.  Letting children on it AND having a free section:
1) dilutes the usefulness of the site for paying, adult members
2) subjects children to situations and media that cannot be controlled
Yes, they can get on of their own accord, but a parent that condones it, is just a parent that isn't acting in their child's best interest

njc, I'd trust a parent's judgement more to gauge a kids "real" age, and even then some would get it wrong. Also, only a parent that is or had been closely involved to the workings of a site like this, would be in a position to make an informed call. IMO of course.

I would have hoped a twelve year old would get the opportunity to write regularly and receive helpful criticism in the school environment. I remember winning a class prize when I was about ten. Really proud. Mind you, we were using quills and sepia ink in those days LOL. I don`t think this is the place for one so young.