to flag or not to flag

We encourage our community to participate in the process of keeping things clean here on Current.com. To help to that end, we provide a set of community guidelines (which are frequently updated) as reference, and every item, group, and profile on Current.com is accompanied with a flag link – allowing you to alert us to anything that appears to be a potential violation.

However, there’s been a few things we’ve been seeing a lot more of recently regarding flags, and it’s time we cleared up a few misunderstandings regarding how this system is intended to work.

Flags are not an automatic action

Flagging something on Current.com does not automatically result in a removal of content. Flagging an item brings it to the attention of the online community team for review – it’s the equivalent of sharing a story with the online community team with the question, “Is this in violation?” If someone says they have flagged a comment of yours, don’t panic. All that means is that we’ll be notified that someone thinks the comment is out of line, and we’ll take a look at it. If there’s an issue, we’ll deal with it and let you know via email.

There is no automatic penalty for simply being flagged

Being flagged is no different than sharing something with a friend. The only difference is the context of the share – flags are directed at the online community team with the implied question, “Is this in violation?” The true penalty comes if the content flagged is in violation, and the penalty (for now) is removal. If the behavior continues, it could result in suspension or even banning from Current.com.

Flagging does not equal instantaneous action

We’re only human. This means, sometimes it takes us a little time to read flag, the comment, and take action. If you’ve flagged something we’ll check it out, so there is no need to flag the item repeatedly. It doesn’t matter if there’s one flag or twenty; each item or comment is evaluated based on it Current’s community guidelines. Occasionally, we may find that there is a continued pattern of abuse in a single thread, and this may require some additional time to assess the situation. In those cases we might lock the thread temporarily while we comb through the details – locking the thread will always be accompanied by a comment indicating that the thread is locked, and no lock is ever intended to be permanent.

Flags are not a retaliatory action

“He flagged me so I’m flagging him” rhetoric is not what this system is for.  If someone leaves a comment that’s out of line, of course you should send us a flag. However, sending flags just because you don’t like someone’s opinion, or because you think they have flagged a comment of yours isn’t cool. In fact, it is inappropriate and could be construed as misuse if excessive.

Current’s community guidelines and flag system are not about revenge or attempting to get others in the community into trouble. It’s about creating an environment where people of all opinions and viewpoints are free to express their opinions and debate in a respectful manner. Let’s all agree to leave the retaliatory instincts on the playground.

He did it, so why did I get in trouble?

I think all of our mothers probably put this one best, so allow me to quote mine: “If all of your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?”

If you see a comment or item that is a violation of our community guidelines, it doesn’t mean that the person who made it has carte blanche to say what they like. It doesn’t mean that we’re supporting one position over another. All it means is that we haven’t seen that comment…yet.

That’s what the option to flag is there for. If you see something that’s out of line, please flag it and let us know. Wading in and responding in kind will only result in your comments being removed as well. Deciding NOT to flag something does not excuse the behavior. These violations will surface through our own internal tools, and if we happen to find an additional comment that violates our standards in response, we’ll remove that as well.

You are the only one responsible for the activity on your account.  Leaving comments that violate Current’s community guidelines or terms of use will result in those comments or items being removed, and could result in the suspension or removal of your account.

It can be difficult to keep a cool head when debates get heated. But if you’re feeling like you can’t respond without crossing a line, consider taking a step back. Have a cup of tea. Throw darts at a wall.  Have a cookie. Pet a puppy. Whatever works for you.  Then respond.

(And lest you think I’m not speaking from experience—the amount of tea I go through in a day would boggle the mind, for exactly this reason. Ask my coworkers.)

Steph