Debate.org should not demand your cell phone number to access certain features.

"(Although I do think it necessary to point that it would appear that I am actually Con to this resolution, and my opponent is Pro. )" Yeah, sorry about that. With some topics, it's not entirely clear. "As with many websites, Debate. org is going to have problems with people starting accounts, which they never use. This is without question, extremely frustrating. but not only that, it greatly slows the sites bandwidth to the members who would actually like to use the site. The simple solution of asking for a cell phone number is no great harm to this site's constituents, and should at the utmost be considered as a minor annoyance. " As for this issue, I think it would be much easier for the users (the ones who essentially drive the site,) to just impose a cap on how long you can go inactive. Something like a few days would be too short,yet something like a year would be too long. I think the best choice would be a three-month inactivity cap. After that, it would delete the account. Debate. org could use the users' e-mail to send a notice beforehand, and the bandwidth problem is solved. Well, not really; won't the needless users still be here even if they don't provide their cell phone number? "To all those who have actually sent in your Phone number to this site, I ask you; when even once have you received a message from this site? the simple fact is, you have not. Once Debate. org has determined that you're not just some spam-happy individual they probably just forget your number altogether. In fact why should we believe that Debate. org ever even keeps your number? " As far as I know, this site is like a second 4chan. The owners could be liars, the users could all be liars. I simply don't know and would rather be cautious then give my number to people I don't know. "While this is true, it would be a bold faced lie to say that a vast-majority of people did not have cell-phones. especially if they have access to the internet enough to need to exercise the functions that your cell-phone number is needed for. they will most likely have a cell phone. and if not, they may just need to determine what they want more, internet access, or a cell phone. " I don't know if you're saying this, but I never said most people don't have one; I said most people believe EVERYONE has own. And even so, you can have internet access without a cell phone, vice versa, or neither at all. They are in no way connected. "My opponent gives you no reason to believe this, or even warrant it as a legitimate problem, I simply ask you to disregard it. Borrowing another's cell phone is a perfectly acceptable solution. " I believe I did; as stated before, for all I know, these people will do malicious things with my cell phone number. If I am unsure, why would I burden my friend/family member with it? What if I don't know anybody with a cell phone? And don't say "of course you do", because having a cell phone is not a given; it's not a necessity, and should not be treated as one. And chances are, your refute would be "of course you do; everyone has a cell phone". If so, that's my point; not everybody does. "As I said before, they really do nothing with it. And if you're really so suspicious of this site, then leave. there is nothing keeping you on this site, and there in no reason to believe that the admins have ulterior motives. " If they really wanted users very badly, they would not ask for suspicious information. I can guarantee that I'm not the only person suspicious of this. "an so in conclusion, it is not only fine to give your cell-phone number to this website, but it's even beneficial to the website's bandwidth, and ultimately you. " This seems to be like government gun control; "We place an unnecessary burden on you, and indirectly, you benefit. I mean, what other solution is there? NOT asking for your cell phone number? Then what could we use? E-mail? Who has e-mail? "