Comments on: Should communities ban the discussion of certain topics? http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/ Community Building Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:53:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Hollie Steel http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-19194 Hollie Steel Wed, 20 May 2009 10:55:03 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-19194 I think some level of moderation makes sense. It depends on the topic and how restrictive that moderation should be. In general, I think the less the better. But if the discussion detracts from the majority of readers it is something that I would considering limiting. I think some level of moderation makes sense. It depends on the topic and how restrictive that moderation should be. In general, I think the less the better. But if the discussion detracts from the majority of readers it is something that I would considering limiting.

]]> By: 95 things I have learnt in 9 years of community building | Community Building http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-18919 95 things I have learnt in 9 years of community building | Community Building Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:00:51 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-18919 [...] Controversy and suspense encourages activity, but see point [...] [...] Controversy and suspense encourages activity, but see point [...]

]]> By: Sally http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-17622 Sally Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:03:44 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-17622 I've seen moderators deliberatly keep up a thread that is controversial, just so they can sit back and watch the fighting. It sounds silly but it's true. Of course these are sites that are already disfunctional in other ways. It is not a healthy site. I feel some topics should not be allowed, unless you have the energy and the time to "sit" on that thread and keep people calm. Then you are just babysitting. It is just my own experience that topics such as religion, abortion never go anywhere worthwhile. I am also tired of sites that always seem to start up a topic on bdsm or even just sex in general. Too many posters find it offensive and the atmosphere becomes hostile very shortly. I’ve seen moderators deliberatly keep up a thread that is controversial, just so they can sit back and watch the fighting. It sounds silly but it’s true. Of course these are sites that are already disfunctional in other ways. It is not a healthy site.
I feel some topics should not be allowed, unless you have the energy and the time to “sit” on that thread and keep people calm. Then you are just babysitting. It is just my own experience that topics such as religion, abortion never go anywhere worthwhile. I am also tired of sites that always seem to start up a topic on bdsm or even just sex in general. Too many posters find it offensive and the atmosphere becomes hostile very shortly.

]]> By: Martin Reed - Blog Author http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-16853 Martin Reed - Blog Author Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:21:42 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-16853 <strong>Greg</strong> - Yes, I agree with you. Your audience as well as who your site is targeted at will have a big influence in the type of discussions present in your community, and how other members will react to certain topics. Greg – Yes, I agree with you. Your audience as well as who your site is targeted at will have a big influence in the type of discussions present in your community, and how other members will react to certain topics.

]]> By: Greg http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-16720 Greg Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:21:42 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-16720 It will depend a lot on your community target. If its for adults, teens, national, international. Different cultures are offended by different topics. It will all depend I guess. I think it needs to be kept in somesort of boundaries, especially not to go off at a tangent all the time. But then again, members end up making a community, not the community itself! It will depend a lot on your community target. If its for adults, teens, national, international. Different cultures are offended by different topics. It will all depend I guess. I think it needs to be kept in somesort of boundaries, especially not to go off at a tangent all the time. But then again, members end up making a community, not the community itself!

]]> By: Martin Reed - Blog Author http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-16689 Martin Reed - Blog Author Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:33:29 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-16689 <strong>MOin</strong> - I completely agree. All online communities need rules, and those rules need to be clear and easily accessible. If you don't have rules, you are making it much harder to moderate with authority and credibility. MOin – I completely agree. All online communities need rules, and those rules need to be clear and easily accessible. If you don’t have rules, you are making it much harder to moderate with authority and credibility.

]]> By: MOin http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-16441 MOin Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:36:35 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-16441 the best idea is to make rules and regulations, after that if topic is breaking rules and regulations ban and remove that topic on the spot when it starts. otherwise if some topic started like "this forum's admin is a gay" you just can't stop that topic to keep your respect if thats not written in rules and regulations. better to face and tact these sort of topics wisely because they can be responsible for bigger events. the best idea is to make rules and regulations, after that if topic is breaking rules and regulations ban and remove that topic on the spot when it starts. otherwise if some topic started like “this forum’s admin is a gay” you just can’t stop that topic to keep your respect if thats not written in rules and regulations. better to face and tact these sort of topics wisely because they can be responsible for bigger events.

]]> By: Martin Reed - Blog Author http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-15674 Martin Reed - Blog Author Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:11:02 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-15674 <strong>Bat</strong> - Like you, I feel that discussion on all subjects should be permitted so long as they remain within the rules of the site. More controversial topics often generate the best debates and discussions which are essential for an online community. If such threads start to deteriorate though, action does need to be taken. <strong>John</strong> - I don't think I would start a community based around politics or religion. That's not to say I have a problem with these topics being discussed on my existing communities, though. Having a community dedicated to such a controversial subject would require a huge amount of moderation to keep conversations civil! Bat – Like you, I feel that discussion on all subjects should be permitted so long as they remain within the rules of the site. More controversial topics often generate the best debates and discussions which are essential for an online community. If such threads start to deteriorate though, action does need to be taken.

John – I don’t think I would start a community based around politics or religion. That’s not to say I have a problem with these topics being discussed on my existing communities, though. Having a community dedicated to such a controversial subject would require a huge amount of moderation to keep conversations civil!

]]> By: John M http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-15617 John M Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:14:34 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-15617 Forums related to politics are really hard to manage especially when they will have religion section. It is hard for people to augment all that discussions because they are very sensitive about their religions. Probably that is not a good community to start. Forums related to politics are really hard to manage especially when they will have religion section. It is hard for people to augment all that discussions because they are very sensitive about their religions. Probably that is not a good community to start.

]]> By: Bat http://www.communityspark.com/communities-ban-topic-discussions/comment-page-1/#comment-15454 Bat Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:15:44 +0000 http://www.communityspark.com/?p=573#comment-15454 I think that most subjects can be discussed, even the more controversial subjects such as abortion, religion and politics, all of which can get pretty heated. A healthy discussion about any subject is a good thing as long as it stays civil. It,s when things start getting personal and users start getting abusive towards each other, that I think a moderator should step in, and maybe warn the abusive poster in a pm about their behaviour. It,s good in any community to have lively discussion boards but when things start getting personal and users get abusive towards each other, it ruins the thread for everyone. People need to know that they can give their opinion on any subject without being insulted for it, as sometimes happens. I think that most subjects can be discussed, even the more controversial subjects such as abortion, religion and politics, all of which can get pretty heated.

A healthy discussion about any subject is a good thing as long as it stays civil. It,s when things start getting personal and users start getting abusive towards each other, that I think a moderator should step in, and maybe warn the abusive poster in a pm about their behaviour.

It,s good in any community to have lively discussion boards but when things start getting personal and users get abusive towards each other, it ruins the thread for everyone. People need to know that they can give their opinion on any subject without being insulted for it, as sometimes happens.

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