Acceptable Language

[CaliAnn]

What exactly is considered "acceptable" and "unacceptable" language??? I had one of my posts edited and I'd like to know what in there was unacceptable that it needed to be edited out. I put in there "**" and it was taken out, but I've seen other posts that used much stronger language that wasn't edited? When I was in chat the other day, a moderator said something when someone typed in "***", but on the message boards it seems to be no problem - could someone please explain to me the criteria to "acceptable" and "unacceptable"? I've seen comments from others who are wondering the same, so perhaps an answer would enlighten us all. I suspect we all have different views as to what is deemed "profanity" and what we deem as sociably acceptable, but guidance from the administrators would help. Most TV stations have loosened up on language and words like "***" are used everyday, including in churches!...
Maybe there should be a user setting regarding "profanity". Those that find certain words offensive could choose to ignore those words, they'd simply appear as *'s and others would see the words as they were typed. Programmicly(sp) it's not a hard thing to do, I've done it on many projects I have worked on.

[Kara]

A lot of rules seem to be inconsistent and it makes it really hard to know what you can and can not say or talk about. I agree with you that this issue needs further discussion. Please let us know what we can and can not post in these boards so we don't offend or scare anyone next time.

Your help and guidance is appreciated.


Thank You

[ICNLesa]

Cali,

I know that the boards are set up to automatically filter out specific words. Sometimes these same words are used in a different context but the system doesn't know the difference and edits them anyway. It's hard to draw that definitive line since some words can be used in a non-profane context. I think Jill just programmed the basic 'profanity' list on the boards. You could e-mail her if you'd like at mailto:[email protected][email protected]</a> I don't believe the chatroom has the same profanity filtering set up.

ICNLesa

[CaliAnn]

The word was "**" typed in exactly that, which went through in my first post up above, so it's not something that was automatically filtered. Since this posting, I've received quite a few emails from others who are just as confused as I am, and think we ALL need to know what the rules are, because it's becoming hard to know what to say or how to say it. I don't think any of us want to offend anyone - sometimes we just need to express our thoughts and emotions just as we are feeling them, and at times, there are no other words that quite convey our moods and emotions at that time. I think Kara put it well, we are confused by the inconsistancies and just want to know what IS and is NOT acceptable. There are certain words, which I too would classify as "profanity", but know others who wouldn't think of them as profanity, but rather as self-expression.
I try, when posing a problem, to also offer a solution. There are several I can think of right now for this problem: a user setting to filter out words, or all posts can be moderated prior to posting on the message boards, whereby ICN moderators can view, and * out which words they deem unacceptable. I personally would prefer my words by *'d out rather than edited out completely, as it changes what I am trying to say, especially if it's something I want to post under "Just Venting". For myself, this kind of ********** is unacceptable, in light of the fact that there are no guidlines.
Either way, I am not alone in my confusion, just want some guidlines to follow.
Thanks for replying.

Ann

[CaliAnn]

Ok, this is silly now. The word that is ***** in my above post is (**********), why would that be ***** ????

[ICNDonna]

I think I may be able to answer your question. We have had an increasing amount of profanity posted on the boards and many people being concerned about this.

The only way we could see to stop this is to edit out any and all profanity. I'm sorry if this upsets anyone, but we do want everyone to feel comfortable here and lots of folks just don't like to read what we used to call "swear words."

Some of the editing is automatic, but not all.

Donna

[icnmgrjill]

Hi Cali & Kara. Lesa said it well. We do have a basic profanity filter set up that comes with the software.. but it isn't a smart system. It xxx's out letters that appear in various sequences of the most common sources of profanity, swear words or other words that we've included on our own. For example, I had someone who found very creative ways of swearing that included spaces between letters, etc. These were added into the filters.. which then make it even more unpredictable at times. Basically, though, I'd rather err on the side of random removals than remove the filter entirely.

We expect our users to conduct themselves as they would in any support group.. with courtesy, kindness and respect for each other. We do not appreciate posts that promote conflict, that include personal attacks or are resentful of others postings. We expect our users to debate the message not the moral character of those involved. Ultimately, when someone leaves our boards, we want them to feel encouraged by the experience, NOT discouraged.

What's Not Acceptable
#1. Swearing or profanity
#2. Personal Attacks
#3. Mentioning any doctor negatively (lawsuit city here)
#4. Posts that encourage suicide (yes, that has happened once or twice)
#5. Posts that attempt to provide medical advice
#6. Posts that solicit for products without prior permission from Donna or I.
#7. Posts that insult other users on the basis of race, creed, religion, etc.
#8. Posts that are insensitive to cultures
#9. Posts that are insensitive to 9/11
#10. Posts that attack the ICN or any ICN staff member or volunteer. If anyone has a beef about the ICN, those should be e-mailed directly to me.

What's borderline and subject to a case by case review:
#1. Posts that are consistently negative, disturbing, scary or appear to have other serious problems. We may instruct that user to use other boards that can help them with their problems, such as web sites that offer family counseling, suicide support, depression support or mental illness support. We may also instruct that user to step away from the internet for a period of time until they have resolve some of those issues.

#2. Posts that are filled with anger. Users who are always "angry" draw away from the support and encouragement that we hope to offer. We are not here to serve as the personal anger management tool of our users. If someone is having a bad day, we want them to NOT visit the ICN first. They need to talk with friends, write in their journals, talk privately by email and calm down before posting on our site.

#3. Posters that have no respect for others. If you post on the ICN in our "public" forum.. you must expect comment. If it's negative, you should NOT come back and blast those who replied. By posting anything the boards, you invite comments, both pro and con. If you don't want comments, don't post.

Hope this helps. We've run message boards for many years now. We've seen, consistently, that some patients fall into the traps above.. particularly respect to personal attacks and anger. We sincerely understand that IC can bring out the worst of us at times. But, like any support group, we expect the overall tone to be encouraing and hopeful.. because that is how we want to end the day ourselves. If you have any doubts about a posting, save it for a day and re read it.. before posting it on the boards.

Lastly, we reserve the right to remove anything that we feel crosses the line. That's reality. If you ever have questions, you're welcome to call me personally to talk about a posting. I will be happy to explain the circumstances and to provide some type of advice, resolution or guidance.

Jill O.

[ihurttoo]

Hi, I know this is an old thread, but I just had a question. If something gets edited, for some reason by a moderator, but it doesnt really read correctly after that, is it okay for the poster to go back an include other words that would make it read in the way they meant it to. (I dont think I have ever had one personally edited that way, but I have read other posts where I knew something was missing that was needed to make it make sense.) I figured that the poster didnt know if it was okay to go back and edit again after a moderator had done so.

[ICNDonna]

One of the things I try to do when I must edit a post is to read the message to be certain it still makes sense.

And actually very few posts are edited.

Donna