Discord servers are loved by many as a place where people with common hobbies gather to exchange information and interact with each other. However, due to the freedom of such spaces, it is true that there are times when disruptive behavior and inappropriate actions occur. In such cases, the presence of moderators is the shield that protects the peace of the community.
Moderators play an important role in maintaining a healthy environment by adhering to the community rules and taking appropriate action against violations. However, in order to fulfill that role, clear guidelines and the understanding and cooperation of the entire community that supports them are essential.
This article will delve deeper into the creation and operation of Discord moderator guidelines and explain the key points for achieving effective moderation. Let’s aim to create a safe and secure community and use this as a reference.
Discord Moderator Guidelines: Detailed Explanation
Clarification of Roles and Responsibilities
- Authority and Responsibility of Moderators: The authority of moderators varies depending on the size and nature of the community, but generally includes the following:
- Message Management: Deleting, editing, and pinning inappropriate messages
- User Management: Muting (restricting speech), kicking (temporary removal), and banning (permanent removal) users
- Channel Management: Creating and deleting channels, and changing permission settings
- Changing Server Settings: Enabling/disabling specific functions, and changing server icons and banners (some restrictions apply)
To exercise these powers properly, moderators must be well-versed in the community rules and possess objective judgment and calm response capabilities.
- Establishing a Response Flow: By specifically defining a response flow when trouble occurs, moderators can respond quickly and appropriately. For example, the following flow can be considered:
- Confirming the Problem: Accurately understand the situation of the problem received or found by themselves.
- Checking Against the Rules: Compare against the community rules and judge whether the behavior in question is a violation.
- Implementing Action: If judged to be a violation, take action according to the guidelines. Take measures such as warnings for minor violations and mutes or kicks for malicious violations.
- Record and Report: Record the content of the action and report to the administrator if necessary. It is especially important to consult with the administrator in case of serious problems or when you are unsure of a judgment.
- Collaboration with Admins: Create a system where moderators can report and consult with admins when they cannot handle cases alone or if serious problems occur. For example, it is important to promote smooth communication by creating a dedicated communication channel or holding regular meetings.
Specific Rules and Responses
- Specifying Prohibited Items: Specifically list the actions that are prohibited in the community and state them clearly in the guidelines. Examples include the following:
- Discriminatory Remarks and Hate Speech: Remarks based on discrimination or prejudice against specific attributes such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability.
- Defamation and Personal Attacks: Remarks that slander specific individuals or groups or defame their reputation
- Spam: Acts that annoy other users, such as unrelated ads or promotions and excessive flooding
- Unauthorized Disclosure of Personal Information: Acts that disclose other people’s personal information (name, address, phone number, etc.) without permission
- Posting Obscene Content: Posting inappropriate content, such as explicit sexual expressions and child pornography
In addition to these prohibited items, it is also important to set rules according to the characteristics of the community. For example, it is possible to prevent trouble in advance by setting specific rules such as the prohibition of cheating in game communities and compliance with character settings in role-playing communities.
- Responses to Violations: Define the steps to be taken when violations occur.
- Caution and Warnings: For minor or first-time violations, give a caution or warning verbally or by DM, and have the user reconfirm the rules.
- Mutes: A measure to restrict speech for a certain period of time. It is effective for malicious and repeated violations.
- Kicks: A measure to temporarily remove the user from the server. It is applied to serious violations as a heavier penalty than a mute.
- Bans: A measure to permanently prohibit access to the server. It is applied to extremely malicious violations and users who show no prospect of improvement.
It is important to use these responses flexibly according to the situation. It is also important to record the content of the response and to ensure transparency.
- Points to Note When Responding: Moderators should always respond with a calm and fair attitude. It is important to avoid becoming emotional or biased and to respond based on objective judgment. It is also important to communicate clearly and avoid misunderstandings by clarifying the content of your response.
Raising Awareness and Understanding of Guidelines
- Posting in an Easy-to-Understand Location: Post the guidelines in a place where members can check them at any time. For example, the following methods can be considered:
- Creating a #rules Channel: Create a dedicated channel and post the guidelines as a fixed message.
- Stating in the Server Overview: Post a link to the guidelines in the server overview section.
- Welcome Messages: Send a welcome message including a link to the guidelines when new members join.
By combining these methods, you can create an environment where members can easily check the guidelines.
- Explanation to New Members: Create an opportunity to explain the guidelines when new members join. In addition to verbal explanations, it is also effective to provide a link to the guidelines and use a quiz format to check their understanding of the rules.
- Regular Review and Updates: Regularly review the guidelines and update them as needed to match the situation of the community. Aim for better guidelines while referring to feedback from members.
Moderator Support System
- Regular Meetings and Training: Create a place where moderators can share information and exchange opinions. It is also effective to improve response capabilities through case studies and role-playing.
- Mental Care: Moderators can sometimes be subjected to insensitive words and aggressive attitudes. Establish a system that allows moderators to use counseling services or take leaves as needed to reduce their mental burden.
- Community Gratitude and Evaluation: The activities of moderators play an important role in supporting the safety and health of the community. Connect their activities to increased motivation by regularly conveying gratitude and evaluating their performance.
Summary
Discord moderator guidelines are a compass for maintaining a healthy community. Using the points introduced in this article as a reference, create guidelines that suit your community and support moderators to create a safe and secure environment.
Let’s aim for a vibrant Discord community where everyone can enjoy themselves with peace of mind!