h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Another reason to move to the UK, eh EMR?

Or to the European mainland and low low alcohol taxes .

Ah, but 18 isn't actually when everything happens in the US -- many things happen at 16. You can smoke at 16, you can work at 16, you can drop out of school at 16, you can drive at 16.

There are also legal markers of adulthood at 14 and 12, although they are issues that don't affect most people.

You're right, Mikey. I'm going to be able to work this summer for the first time (I can't believe I'm excited about this).

16 is also the age at which you can finally access all the BBC messageboards! (I can't wait!)

What happens at 14 and 12?

I don't know if I can remember all of them. At 14, you can work if you have both parent and school permission. At 12, you can (and in some cases, must) have your own lawyer (separate from your parents) in family court representing your interests -- although the age and circumstances can differ some across states. In many states, 12 is also the age at which youth can consent or refuse certain medical services, regardless of parent knowledge or wishes -- mostly reproductive and mental health stuff. In some states that age is 13 or 14, though, or it may differ depending on the service being provided. And, of course, 13 and 17 are ages that affect which movies you can technically see at the theater without an adult, although this only seems to be enforced in certain theaters.

What's really quite funny is that if I were to go to the movies and ask for a ticket to an R-rated movie, they wouldn't sell it to me. But if I go to the library they have no problem with letting me check out an R-rated movie.

"16 is also the age at which you can finally access all the BBC messageboards! (I can't wait!)"

Please tell me you didn't give them your actual age?

*sigh*

In my day, kids were suitably paranoid of authorities.

h2g2 was the first messageboard thing I'd ever signed up for; I didn't know any different and I didn't know that I might get my access restricted by not telling them I was born in 1990. I'd do differently now, of course. But they won't let me change it! You have to email them and tell them why you need it to be changed.

It's a huge pain, because I'm a BBC Tester but I can't use things I'm meant to be testing.

Tell them you've invented a wonderful aging and de-aging device, and that this is only a temporary age while you... do... something or other. They'll be so amazed at the amazingness of your invention that they'll change your date of birth for you.

(Ok, my plan needs a little bit of work...)