Teens in SL

So, for anyone who does not know, the teen grid of Second Life is merging with the main grid this January. This has been a hot topic on the SL blogs, which I am unable to post on/access. It's amazing how much drama this change is causing, but I believe some of it has good reason.

I began using SL when I was 18, actually at the suggestion of family members. They thought I'd be able to make clothing and earn some extra money to save up for college. That didn't work, but I still came back later (on this account).

On that note, I don't think that age is a sign of maturity. You don't suddenly become mature the day you turn 18. The way both teens and adults are reacting is immature. I am okay with the two grids being combined, but there are some things that I am concerned about that I do not think have been addressed.

• How can we tell whether a user is over/under 18? Other than requesting they teleport somewhere on the Zindra continent. I think something like this would ease a lot of minds. Plus, I do not think that everyone on SL will know about this change. Some people are able to go without noticing these sorts of changes for a while. I was on a G sim (the only sim that those under 18 will be allowed on), and I received an IM: "How's it going sexy?" That's not an appropriate way to approach teenagers (or most adults, for that matter).
• What about profiles with adult content? I think that people should be able to set picks and descriptions as Adult or G. Or, they need to offer ways to keep 'adult' profiles from being viewed by teenagers (at the discretion of an adult account holder). 

I do think that most of the teenagers will add good things to the grid. Some will be immature, but the same goes for the adult user pool. Second Life attracts a special kind of audience, and I think most users have big imaginations and want a way to peacefully express themselves. They may help add to the economy, which certainly would not hurt. While I understand that this is (was) like a safe-haven from kids/teens for a lot of adults, you can still go to mature & adult land to get away from them. I think it's ridiculous how many people want absolutely nothing to do with them. I don't think I'll be interacting with them much, as my interests tend to be more on the adult side haha, but I think that it'll all work out in the end. Hopefully things will be done to help determine who's underage and to filter profiles for teenager access, while still allowing adult content in profiles for adult users.