Why are there barely any teens on AF?

[Whateverist]

As far as I can tell, there are two main types of atheists here: Those who are comfortable with atheism and just want to get to know the people here (while still contributing to topics regarding belief too), and those who have a lot to ask about, talk about, debate about, etc regarding atheism. (Oh and a third type who're just here to fight.    )

That seems one valid way to divide us up. But amongst those who are comfortable with their atheism, some are land locked in the bible belt. So this becomes a peer space for people who don't feel part of what animates the church goers in their own neighborhoods.

That isn't me since the odds are in my favor that anyone I talk to in Berkeley will be an atheist, though not all of course. I taught kids math who are only a bit younger than you and I avoided discussing religion for the sake of the minority believers. Those poor guys have it rough enough. *shudders*

 
I also noticed that most of you born into religious families were only beginning to doubt religion at this point, the transition happened much later. So maybe that explains why the religious kids turned atheists aren't here. But what about those born into atheist families?

Reasons will vary of course but my own stepson (six years old when his mom and I got together) was raised without religion but has gone very strongly in that direction. He is almost 42 now. *Dodo reels in horror* He has become a priest of some kind in a group associated with the Brazilian guy who slices people open in trance and calls himself John of God. So he isn't here as an atheist because he isn't one. He is an engineer so he knows something about the empirical world but he obviously requires a bit of woo in his life too.

Is atheism simply such a fact of life for them that posting on a forum about it simply doesn't occur to them? Is it akin to a forum about breathing for them? That seems far too far fetched, because even kids in atheist families must know they're a minority, surely.

Maybe my stepson's beliefs represent a kind of rebellion toward our status quo. But who knows? His mother, my wife, has never been religious but she wouldn't come here because she can't imagine there is anything of interest to say or hear about religion. But she likes it when I share the occasional morsel with her.

So then why, the question remains, are there no kids on AF? The only possible explanation, then, is that you dramatic band of heathens have scared them all off. Except for me. But I mean, the fact that I'm the last remaining member of an otherwise extinct species speaks mounds about my balls anyways. 

No but seriously, thoughts?

You aren't the first but I suspect in most cases people just get busy in their lives soon after your age. The long timers seem mostly to be grizzled, retired old geezers like me or else have a circumstance that gives them more time for the internet more often. (Some design stuff for computers and volunteer to help manage the place.) Have you met Joods? Her son used to hang out for a while.

Personally I'm glad to know a person as young as you who has ideas they're willing to share in this format.

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More likely to be on FB, Twitter, or engaged in hormone driven activities?

Ahh .. hormones.  Good times, for sure.