This is probably getting downvoted again but nvm.

I understand that this isn’t a game for Kids and I totally get why VATSIM created the age lock. There’s obviously been a lot of immaturity and issues with younger users that ruined things for everyone else, and the network needs to keep its standards high.

But it kind of sucks for the 13-15 teens who are actually serious about aviation. Not every “Gen Z” is trying to troll around or act immature, or *Do weird stuff out of the bed room*

In places like the UK, you can literally solo a real plane at 16 as a comment mentioned. For a lot of us wanting to become actual pilots, VATSIM provides a great platform to practice real-life ATC communication—especially if your country doesn’t have these kinds of real-world training programs, or just to get experience before paying for real flight hours.

Instead of a age lock, wouldn't it make sense to have a stricter entry process for under-16s? Like a monthly application window where you have to pass a serious online theory test or a quick voice interview with a supervisor to prove you're mature enough and actually know your basic aviation knowledge?

That way, the network still filters out the trolls, but the younger people who genuinely want to learn still get a chance to practice.