# Why is messaging on external platforms prohibited? **URL:** \ **Category:** Forum Feedback\ **Created:** [November 22, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474 "2022-11-22T21:13:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sarge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/sarge/32/19590_2.png) [@Sarge](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Sarge)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/1 "2022-11-22T21:13:10Z")
The forum requires the users to be 13+ years old either way to sign up, I don’t see why contacting others would be such a problem(?) ---
**Author:** ![richard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/richard/32/5417_2.png) [@richard](https://forum.makecode.com/u/richard)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/2 "2022-11-22T21:47:07Z")
The rules exist to keep this forum safe for everybody. We don’t have plans to change this policy anytime soon! ---
**Author:** ![isoffline](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/isoffline/32/8791_2.png) [@isoffline](https://forum.makecode.com/u/isoffline)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/3 "2022-11-28T17:24:25Z")
can we do a petition for it? ---
**Author:** ![randomuser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/randomuser/32/32505_2.png) [@randomuser](https://forum.makecode.com/u/randomuser)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/4 "2022-11-28T17:24:36Z")
I don’t have a stance on this, but to note, people often can lie about their ages online- you could have little kids saying they are adults messaging old people also saying they are adults. ---
**Author:** ![Sarge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/sarge/32/19590_2.png) [@Sarge](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Sarge)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/5 "2022-11-28T17:24:43Z")
I know that, but it puts a real big bottleneck on collaboration, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![jackal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/jackal/32/19506_2.png) [@jackal](https://forum.makecode.com/u/jackal)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2022, 5:31pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/6 "2022-11-28T17:31:19Z")
predators, my g. predators. ---
**Author:** ![ChimbroDaPro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/chimbrodapro/32/15852_2.png) [@ChimbroDaPro](https://forum.makecode.com/u/ChimbroDaPro)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/7 "2023-04-07T22:00:23Z")
I think it’s perfectly fine tbh ---
**Author:** ![randomuser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/randomuser/32/32505_2.png) [@randomuser](https://forum.makecode.com/u/randomuser)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/8 "2023-04-07T23:33:36Z")
why? /gen ---
**Author:** ![Unique](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/unique/32/32724_2.png) [@Unique](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Unique)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/9 "2023-04-10T17:20:01Z")
Prepare for a lengthy post y’all. My only stance on this whole issue is just that like, it’s completely possible that by contacting anyone from external platform, that person can have the malicious intent of finding personal information about you (the recipient). It’s not the most common occurrence in the world but it happens enough to scare me away from that sort of thing. Whether it’s hacking into internal biometric systems to find your location or simply finding matching profile info of yours on different parts of the web, it’s not a bet Makecode or Microsoft is willing to take (I’d have to imagine). To put it simply, **what can seem like a roadblock can actually be the thing that ends up keeping you safe.** Also, collaboration has been successfully executed _multiple_ times: - [The Biggest Smash Bros Game](https://forum.makecode.com/t/the-biggest-smash-bros-game/18456/) - [MakeCode Kart](https://forum.makecode.com/t/makecode-kart/5787/) - Maybe even unofficial tourneys if you wanna be technical It’s a bottleneck don’t get me wrong, but it’s not out of spite or misunderstanding, only our safety. Alright I’ma wrap this up, it’s like 1am I gotta sleep. Basically, I’m fine with the rule. I believe that if you aren’t too fond with the rule, probably just reconsider the intentions of it. Go Collab or whatever else, but stay safe plzzzzz. Alr byeeee!!! ---
**Author:** ![Sarge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/sarge/32/19590_2.png) [@Sarge](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Sarge)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/10 "2023-04-10T18:30:35Z")
I got that alright, I understand the ramifications of having a forum for game development mostly populated by kids and teens. Predators, doxxers, really all types of people with malicions intent roam all over the internet, and safety is a big priority. I was just opening a disscusion about the unfortunate side-effects of it. If anything, my first point when I made this post a long time ago was the fact that users had to be 13 and up to even sign up. My stance was that users of that age would be more concious about their safety. Now that I think about it, I might be able to tell apart good and bad intent, but I was supposed to be more open minded about how unfortunate cases like that happen very often, despite the fact that many people in that age range think they know right from wrong. I’m not asking for a change in this policy, but I have to say a compromise of some sort would be great one day, something close to, let’s say - moderated DMs, where users can discuss and collaborate in private, to avoid spoiling their projects to the public, while still keeping it safe by having it overseen by the mods. That honestly sounds like a big undertaking for the mods, but hey, it is what it is. ---
**Author:** ![randomuser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/randomuser/32/32505_2.png) [@randomuser](https://forum.makecode.com/u/randomuser)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/11 "2023-04-10T18:38:17Z")
> [@Sarge](#): > > let’s say - moderated DMs, where users can discuss and collaborate in private, to avoid spoiling their projects to the public, while still keeping it safe by having it overseen by the mods. Actually a really smart idea! I hoped for something like this back in the coder king and unique-a-thons, because there was a small advantage given to someone who posts their game before the others. More people were exposed to it before the voting started- with this, the host would post them both at the same time. I would love this feature! ---
**Author:** ![jwunderl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/jwunderl/32/5308_2.png) [@jwunderl](https://forum.makecode.com/u/jwunderl)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/12 "2023-04-10T18:38:54Z")
Unfortunately, we definitely do not have the capacity for moderated dms. ---
**Author:** ![randomuser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/randomuser/32/32505_2.png) [@randomuser](https://forum.makecode.com/u/randomuser)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/13 "2023-04-10T18:44:44Z")
Ohh true- moderating the _entire_ forum is already a massive task! I forgot that moderated by people means… well by actual people XD ---
**Author:** ![Sarge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/sarge/32/19590_2.png) [@Sarge](https://forum.makecode.com/u/Sarge)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2023, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/why-is-messaging-on-external-platforms-prohibited/16474/14 "2023-04-10T18:53:14Z")
I’m aware of this, that’s why I was skeptical of pitching the idea in the first place. > [@Sarge](#): > > That honestly sounds like a big undertaking for the mods, but hey, it is what it is. It’s a shame there aren’t many mods, but it’s a good thing that these forums are actively run at all, so let’s just appreciate the mods for that!