Chat Rooms--How to handle different situations----
Hi All,
I need some feedback---on the proper way to handle different situations in the various chat rooms. For example:
I see a lot of guests/members ganging up on one particular member/guest. IE: discussing eating a horse...which upsets one member, they plead for them to stop, they persist.
Another---Religion.
Another-- Is it proper to discuss sex in the various chat rooms?
Another--Cursing.......I have asked members/guests to watch the language they use. I have viewed other Mods letting it go.
Another-- Asking for money wires--donations. Is this allowed? I thought it was not. Yet I viewed a listener giving wiring money to a member.
Please advise on the proper way to go about the various situations. I love being a part of this site. But I am nervous about pressing any issue. I don't want to over step any boundary.
My usual method is 3 warnings then I mute them. Is that acceptable??
Thanks! Oakley14
As a moderator, I tend to see how the discussion is taking place. If someone briefly mentions something, such as religion, I will not hound them with the rules. Authoritarian moderating is never effective, likewise with authoritarian parenting(Developmental Psych forya)
If someone briefly mentions they believe in God, or lackthereof, I scan to make sure it's more of a side note rather than the main focus or subject matter. If a light conversation arises then I stay focused to ensure it's all good. Any sense of tension and the conversation is switched.
With sex. If someone briefly mentions sex, such as "This depression is so bad, I am not even able to have sex!" then I wouldn't tackle the issue. If the discussion gets graphic, which violates our rules, then I will intervene. Usually I give a friendly warning at that point. Likewise with cursing. If someone use a vulgar word and it's censored, I will not say anything. If it continues, or others join in, then I intervene.
*MOST* of the time, it settles itself or withers before escalating. I am not a supporter of jumping down peoples'throats. We have rules to enforce, but overdoing it will actually negatively impact the chatroom. If I give a warning, it's to the chatroom to chill out with whatever rule I am addressing. From there, if it continues, I will either ask the person to PM me if it occurs again or will mute them if they're excessively violating.
It's a case by case scenario. Some others have different moderating methods so this is just my style. It's somewhat a relaxed-approached, but requires undivided attention.
If someone uses a vulgar word once, depending on the context, I wont jump the gun. After that though, the rules need to be restated**
Thank you Ejj. How about asking for money & such? I appreciate your input. :)
That I am unsure about. I believe someone higher than me should address that. If we were to take donations, it could cause a lot of issues by opening that door. Who deserves money? When is it permissible? How can they prove the money is going where it is said it is going? How do we prevent scams? That's a whole ordeal in itself.
Oakley, you're going to be awesome at what you do. :)
