How to flag content and why it matters

In our Online Community, everyone’s input matters, and keeping people safe is our top priority. That’s why we have a flagging system. This system lets you report anything that doesn't follow our community rules, like posts, comments, or private messages.

Here’s how flagging works and what happens after you flag something.

Flagging on the forum

When to flag

Our community is built on respect and kindness. If something feels wrong, trust your gut and flag it. Here are some reasons to flag:

• Bullying or harassment: Flag it if someone is being unkind or threatening.

• Hurtful language: If someone uses offensive language, report it.

• Unsafe content: Flag anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

• Inappropriate private messages: If you get a message that’s inappropriate, flag it for your safety.

• Safety concerns: If you’re worried about someone’s safety or well-being, flag it.

If anything feels off or wrong, please flag it to help keep our community safe.

The Flagging Process

If you flag something, it gets sent to a moderator for review. Your flag is anonymous, only the moderators can see who flagged a post, not the person who posted it or other members.

Here’s a brief overview of what happens after you flag a post:

1. The post is reviewed: Moderators check to see if it breaks the rules.

2. Action is taken: The post might be removed, edited, or kept. The person who posted will be told about the action taken and why.

3. Resolution: The goal is to resolve flags within 72 hours to keep things running smoothly.

Flagging options

When you flag, you’ll choose from different options to explain why:

• Off-topic: The post doesn’t fit the discussion or has veered off-topic from the rest of the thread.

• Inappropriate: The content is offensive or goes against community rules or our terms and conditions.

• Spam: The post is advertising or irrelevant.

• Illegal: The post involves illegal activities.

• Something else: If the post doesn’t fit any of the above, but still feels wrong or unsafe you can explain why.

Here is a breakdown of what you will see when you go to flag a post:

Choosing this option lets you directly send a message to the person who wrote the post, without involving a moderator.

It’s a chance to explain why their post might not be appropriate or could be seen as hurtful.

• Notify staff privately:
  Choosing any of the options below sends the post or thread to the moderators and admins, who will review it and take appropriate action.

  • It’s Off-Topic: Use this when a post(s) doesn’t fit the discussion. It helps keep conversations focused.

  • It’s Inappropriate: Select this for content that’s offensive, hurtful, or doesn’t follow community rules.

  • It’s Spam: This is for irrelevant or unsolicited content, like ads or repetitive posts.

  • It’s Illegal: Use this for content involving or promoting illegal activities.

  • Something Else: If the post doesn’t fit the other categories but still feels wrong or unsafe, choose “Something Else” and provide a short explanation. This helps moderators understand the situation better.

When you click the flag icon on a post or thread, a box will pop up asking you to choose one of these options. After selecting, click the blue “Flag Post” button

Is flagging private?

Yes! When you flag something, only moderators will know. The person who posted and other members won’t see who flagged it.

Why flagging matters

Flagging helps keep our community a safe and welcoming place. It’s not just about removing bad content—it’s about making sure everyone feels comfortable and respected. Your flags play a big role in protecting the community.

Your feedback

We appreciate your comments, compliments, and concerns. The best way to share them with us is through our Service Desk.