MODERATION POLICY

What is Moderation?

Moderation is a process whereby Moderators assess comments and materials posted on this site, by applying a set of rules, to ensure the posts/ materials are not inappropriate and do not breach the site’s Privacy Policy, Terms Of Use and House Rules.

Why Moderate?

WDYTIA do not wish to censure or stop the natural flow of conversation. Therefore we only modify/remove posts that breach our House Rules, Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use. This is because we wish to create and promote an environment where users are free to express themselves, and participate in the site’s interactive services in a safe and enjoyable way, without fearing the intimidation of other users, or without being subject to offensive and inappropriate content. We also wish to ensure that all posts remain within the confines of the law, for the wellbeing of all parties involved.

How do you Moderate?

We very much support conversations taking place in real time to encourage the experiences to be as interactive and enjoyable as possible. Therefore our moderation will be Post Moderation as opposed to Pre Moderation (except, possibly, in the situation of breach of the House Rules, please see below). In addition to Post Moderation, we will also use and rely on Reactive Moderation and Automated Moderation.

Please explain the different types of Moderation for your site

Post Moderation – This is when all of the contents of a post are immediately displayed on the site as soon as it is posted. However a the post will also join a queue for Moderation. The Moderators will access whether there are any breaches of WDYTIA’s Privacy Policy, Terms Of Use and House Rules and will pass, remove or modify as appropriate.

Reactive Moderation- This type of Moderation relies on the service users of the site to report any content that they consider to be inappropriate by using the report button on the post to notify the Moderators. The Moderators will access the content of the post and if it is deemed to be in breach of our rules of use, it will be removed or modified as appropriate.

Automated Moderation- This type of moderation makes use of an in-built  word filter system, which contains a list of banned words. This will be applied to posts where deemed necessary in ensuring compliance of the site’s Privacy Policy, Terms Of Use, and the House Rules. Therefore the necessary alterations will be made or alternatively the post will be referred to the Moderators for Pre Moderation, where there is considered to be a serious breach, with the option of the message being removed. Additionally Moderators may also asterisk words that may cause offence to other service users, even though they don’t appear on the banned word list.

What is your time- frame for moderation?

Post Moderation- Once we receive the post, our turnaround timeframe will be within twenty-four hours .However we will endeavor to undertake the process as quickly as we are able to.

Reactive Moderation- Once the post is reported by a service user of our site; our turnaround timeframe will be within twenty-four hours. However we will endeavor to undertake the process as quickly as we are able to.

Automated Moderation- If deemed necessary, the automated moderation will take place before the post is displayed on the site. If the post is then referred to the Moderators, our turnaround timeframe will be within twenty-four hours. The Moderators will endeavor to undertake the process as quickly as we are able to.

What are the actions of moderation if the House Rules are breached?

1. Correction/modification/removal of the post where necessary in accordance with the different types of moderation specified above. A notification by email, with a brief explanation will be sent to the user and no further action will be taken, unless it is considered to be a serious breach.
2. In the event of serious breaches, and persistent breaches (4 times or more): In addition to the action described in point 1, a warning will be given. Where considered appropriate for the protection of other users, the users’ post may be pre- moderated for a short defined period.  If no further breaches occur in this time period, no further action will be taken and the user will resort back to post- moderation.
3. In the circumstances of 3 or more warnings being issued to a user, the user will be notified / issued a temporary ban for a defined period. At the end of this period, the user will be able to access the site once more, however the users’ post will pre- moderated for a short defined period. If no further breaches occur in this time period, no further action will be taken and the user will resort back to post- moderation, with the number of warnings cleared.
4. In the circumstances where a user receives 3 or more temporary bans, the moderator, where appropriate for the safety of other users, may consider a ban of up to one year or in extreme/serious breaches, a permanent ban. In both situations, prior to a moderator’s decision, the user will be notified and any response/ explanation will be considered.

Will there be an explanation if my posts are removed?

Yes, we will notify you by email if your posts are removed, with a brief explanation. Please note this may take the form of an ‘automated’ message explaining the House Rule you were considered to have breached.

What if I don’t agree with a moderator’s decision?

Whilst we will consider any response/ explanation from the user, and also where possible we will take this in to account when making a decision: it is important to be aware that we ask you to respect the moderator’s final decision and their interpretation of the House Rules and any other relevant policy.

What do I do if I wish to complain about treatment by you or on your site?

Please see our complaints policy/procedure.