Trolling and How To Protect Yourself
All websites that are open to the public are subject to trolling and inappropriate behavior. It is something that happens all over the internet.
Unfortunately, 7 Cups experiences this as well. It can be triggering and all around unpleasant. The good news is you don’t have to tolerate it. Bad actors will crop up, but you can curate your experience here to remove them from your space.
------> We have created a variety of ways for all listeners and members to protect themselves in these situations:
1) Blocking (in 1-1 chats): Use this to block a connection between you and another user. Not everyone is going to get along, if you do not get along with someone, or you are being subjected to inappropriate behavior, I encourage you to stop chatting with them. If you fill in a description of why you’re blocking, a report will be sent to the Admin Team for review. (Before you do, please consult these tips on how to block and report effectively here.)
2) Muting (in all chatrooms): Use this button to mute people who are making you feel uncomfortable, triggered, unsafe or are being offensive and hurtful.
3) Forum Flag: Look for the grey flag icon at the bottom of any post or reply.
4) Report forms: For issues that don’t fit into the first three points, check out the list under our Behavioral Reporting System to be sure you’re going through the right channel.
5) Admin Contacts: Our Community Moderators are here 24/7 to help keep our group chatrooms be welcoming as well as supportive at all times. Community Moderators are trusted to make the best decisions to ensure safety and support, and they also make use of our zero-tolerance policy.
Not sure which community moderator is on shift? This schedule is updated weekly.
You may also reach out to the Community Team to express concerns. You can find a list of general availability here. Please note for urgent situations we recommend you contact the Community Moderator on duty first.
All of these were created for YOU, our community members, to protect you! It is my distinct purpose in this post to encourage you to not be scared and to use the tools you have to protect yourself and the community.
------> Important note: Never click on any links in a 1-1 PM or in the forum from anyone you do not trust. Additionally, never provide any of your personal information to anyone!
--------> After you take action on a situation, check in with yourself.
1) Self-care
2) Take a break from the site for a few hours if you need to
3) Remind yourself: This is a bully who cannot hurt me, I am in control of my feelings on this topic and I will keep my boundaries strong when it comes to not letting this kind of behavior upset me.
4) Talk to a listener (if you’re under your L account, or seek peer support for 1-on-1 troll encounters), get support and allow yourself to destress and decompress.
--------> In conclusion, if you see something, do something, be proactive, and most importantly take care of yourself. Just remember that bad stuff happens everywhere across the internet, but we are safe, you are safe, you now have the tools, and with every bad encounter you rise above, you grow stronger as a person. And as always, our community has your back.
@Heather225
Only a year earlier, there was a lot more trolling than now. So thank you so much for your efforts on this, it really increases the quality of the site, makes it so much safer and makes it easier to give and receive support.
Very true. I applaud the efforts. It feels less toxic too.
@Heather225
Thank you for sharing this! I want to add to any listeners reading this, never feel obligated to stay in a chat with someone. If it smells like a fish, chances are it is a fish. Put some time boundaries and get out of there if you feel wary. Trust. Your. Gut.
This is so informational, thank you!
As a member, is there a way to show that you are offline or unavailable? I see there is a green dot by profile pic all the time as if I’m online all the time. How do I get it to show a red dot 🔴 to show I’m unavailable?
@PhoenyxNightmare
As a member, that is not a tool that is accessible. However, when you're on your member account, you're under no obligation to reply to anything. You're there to get whatever you may need at that time. i do know if you go idle (not sure how long never timed it) you go red.
@Heather225
Thank you for this very helpful post. It makes me feel supported as someone who has been attacked by trolls more than once.