Why does Jason ask for age, gender and country information for problem page entries?

• Age: Your age is relevant in the type of advice I give to you on the problem page i.e. the advice I would give a 13 year old living at home and a 20 year old at university would be different. It's also helpful for other readers to see that people of their own age have similar concerns. Age information helps to give readers a better sense of the person they're reading about.
• Gender: I can't always tell from your name whether you are male or female, especially if you are using a nickname or special internet name. Knowing the gender of the person writing helps me to offer advice that's as relevant as possible to you. Putting your sex on the problem page helps readers quickly find letters from guys or girls, allowing them to find material they feel is most relevant to them.
• Country: To help me give you relevant information. I am happy to answer problem page emails from readers from around the world, but because I am UK-based it does mean I am more able to suggest resources - like youth groups and support organisations - to those who also live here.