Moderation Rules

Moderation Rules Skill

Core Philosophy

Moderation is stewardship, not policing. The goal is to maintain a safe, welcoming space where everyone can participate without fear. Good moderation is mostly invisible—preventing problems before they start and handling issues with care when they arise.

According to Keywords Studios research, "Moderation is a prerequisite to successful community engagement on Discord."

Moderation Principles

The PEACE Framework

## P - Proactive
Prevent issues before they happen
- Clear rules and expectations
- Active positive engagement
- Early intervention

## E - Even-handed
Apply rules consistently
- Same standards for everyone
- Document decisions
- No special treatment

## A - Appropriate
Match response to severity
- Progressive discipline
- Don't overreact
- Consider context

## C - Compassionate
Remember we're dealing with humans
- Private first
- Assume good intent
- Allow redemption

## E - Educational
Help people understand
- Explain the "why"
- Provide resources
- Guide improvement

Rule Enforcement Levels

Level 1: Gentle Nudge

For: Minor issues, likely unintentional, first-time

## When to Use
- Off-topic messages
- Minor rule misunderstanding
- Slightly inappropriate but not harmful
- Honest mistakes

## How to Handle
- Reply in thread or channel
- Friendly, helpful tone
- Redirect to appropriate action
- No formal warning

## Example Response
"¡Ey! Este tema va mejor en #general. ¿Te parece si lo movemos allá? 😊"

Level 2: Friendly Reminder

For: Repeat minor issues, clearer violations, needs awareness

## When to Use
- Second time with same issue
- Didn't know but should have
- Others might make same mistake
- Needs public clarification

## How to Handle
- Can be public (teaching moment)
- Reference specific rule
- Still friendly tone
- Note in moderation log

## Example Response
"Recordatorio amigable: mantenemos las ofertas de trabajo en #oportunidades para que #general quede libre para discusiones. ¡Gracias! 📋"

Level 3: Private Warning

For: Clear violations, repeated issues, needs documentation

## When to Use
- Third instance of minor issue
- First instance of moderate issue
- Pattern emerging
- Need formal record

## How to Handle
- DM the member
- Reference specific rule
- Document in mod log
- Explain consequences

## Example DM
"Hola [Nombre],

Te escribo porque he notado [comportamiento específico] en [lugar] que va contra nuestras reglas de [regla].

Entiendo que puede ser un error, pero necesito pedirte que [acción correctiva].

Si tienes preguntas sobre las reglas, con gusto te explico.

Este es un aviso amigable. Espero no tener que escribirte de nuevo por esto.

¡Saludos!"

Level 4: Formal Warning

For: Serious first offense, continued pattern, last chance

## When to Use
- Serious but not ban-worthy
- Multiple warnings ignored
- Community impact significant
- Final warning before action

## How to Handle
- DM with formal language
- Clear documentation
- Explicit consequences stated
- May include temporary restriction

## Example DM
"Hola [Nombre],

Esta es una advertencia formal sobre [comportamiento].

Fechas de incidentes previos:
- [Fecha]: [incidente]
- [Fecha]: [incidente]

Esto viola [regla específica] de nuestro código de conducta.

Si esto continúa, tomaremos acción incluyendo posible expulsión temporal o permanente.

Necesito tu confirmación de que entiendes esta advertencia.

[Moderador]"

Level 5: Temporary Ban

For: Severe violation, cooling off period needed, pattern unbroken

## When to Use
- Harassment (non-severe)
- Continued after formal warning
- Heated conflict needs separation
- Probationary return possible

## Duration Guidelines
- 24 hours: Cool-off for heated argument
- 72 hours: Pattern of minor violations
- 7 days: Significant violation
- 30 days: Severe violation, review needed

## How to Handle
- Document thoroughly
- DM before ban (if possible)
- Clear explanation
- Path to return

## Example DM
"Hola [Nombre],

Debido a [comportamiento específico], estarás temporalmente fuera de la comunidad por [duración].

Razón: [explicación]

Podrás regresar el [fecha]. Cuando regreses, esperamos que [expectativas].

Si quieres apelar esta decisión, puedes escribir a [contacto].

[Moderador]"

Level 6: Permanent Ban

For: Severe violations, safety threats, no redemption path

## When to Use
- Harassment (severe)
- Threats or doxxing
- Illegal content
- Repeated return from temp bans
- Unrepentant harmful behavior

## How to Handle
- Document everything
- Mod team consensus
- Final DM (if safe)
- No appeal (most cases)

## Example DM (if sent)
"Hola [Nombre],

Has sido expulsado permanentemente de tacosdedatos por [razón].

Esta decisión es final.

[Moderador]"

Specific Situation Handling

Spam and Self-Promotion

## What Counts as Spam
- Repeated identical messages
- Promotional content without value
- Off-topic link drops
- Affiliate/referral spam
- Bot behavior

## What's OK
- Sharing relevant personal project (once)
- Answering question with link to own work
- Cross-posting to appropriate channel
- Job posts in #oportunidades

## Response
Level 1 for first offense:
"Hola, mantenemos la autopromoción mínima aquí. Si tienes algo relevante para compartir, #proyectos es el lugar. ¡Gracias!"

Level 2+ for repeats:
Delete messages, formal warning, ban if pattern continues.

Off-Topic Conversations

## When to Redirect
- Discussion drifting in topic-specific channel
- Casual chat in help channel
- Political/controversial topics anywhere

## How to Redirect
"¡Interesante tema! Para mantener este canal enfocado, ¿les parece si continúan en #general? 🙂"

## When to Let It Go
- Brief tangent that self-corrects
- Low-traffic time
- Building relationship/rapport
- Would feel overly strict

Heated Debates

## Signs of Escalation
- Personal attacks begin
- Volume of messages increasing rapidly
- Multiple people piling on
- Language becoming aggressive
- Someone asks to stop but continues

## Intervention Steps

1. **Acknowledge the passion**
   "¡Claramente este es un tema importante para todos!"

2. **Reframe to common ground**
   "Parece que todos quieren [objetivo común]..."

3. **Redirect to constructive**
   "¿Podemos enfocarnos en [aspecto productivo]?"

4. **Call a pause if needed**
   "Tomemos un respiro de 10 minutos y regresemos con mente fresca."

5. **Separate if necessary**
   DM individuals, lock thread temporarily, mute if needed.

Harassment

## Types of Harassment
- Direct insults or attacks
- Repeated unwanted contact
- Sharing private information (doxxing)
- Sexual harassment
- Discrimination based on identity
- Coordinated attacks

## Response Protocol

1. **Immediate**: Remove content, protect target
2. **Document**: Screenshot everything
3. **Contact target**: "¿Estás bien? ¿Cómo puedo ayudar?"
4. **Action**: Ban harasser (temp or permanent based on severity)
5. **Team debrief**: Discuss if systemic issue

## For the Target
"Lamento mucho lo que pasó. Removimos el contenido y tomamos acción contra [usuario].

Si necesitas hablar o tienes más información para compartir, aquí estoy. Tu bienestar es nuestra prioridad."

Mental Health Concerns

## If Someone Expresses Crisis/Self-Harm

1. **Respond with care**
   "Me preocupo por ti. ¿Estás bien?"

2. **Don't ignore but don't overreact**
   Take it seriously without adding pressure

3. **Provide resources**
   "Si necesitas hablar con alguien profesional:
   - [Local crisis line]
   - [International resources]"

4. **Know your limits**
   You're not a therapist. Offer connection, not treatment.

5. **Escalate if immediate danger**
   Contact platform support if someone is in immediate danger

## Key Phrases
- "Estoy aquí para escucharte."
- "No estás solo/a en esto."
- "¿Has considerado hablar con un profesional?"
- "Aquí hay recursos que pueden ayudar."

Discord-Specific Tools

AutoMod Configuration

## Recommended AutoMod Rules

1. **Block Spam**
   - Repeated messages
   - Excessive mentions
   - Invite links (except approved)

2. **Filter Content**
   - Slurs and hate speech
   - Adult content
   - Common spam phrases

3. **Rate Limiting**
   - Max messages per minute
   - Max mentions per message
   - Slowmode for heated channels

## Bot Recommendations
- **Dyno**: Versatile moderation and automation
- **MEE6**: Auto-moderation, leveling, welcome messages
- **Carl-bot**: Reaction roles, logging, moderation

Server Verification Levels

## Verification Strategy

**Low-Security Servers**
- Email verified accounts only
- Phone verification optional

**Medium-Security**
- Phone verification required
- Wait period before posting (10 min)

**High-Security** (recommended)
- Phone verification required
- Server membership 10+ minutes
- Reaction-role gating or verification bot

## Roles as Gates
Use verification roles to:
- Require rule acknowledgment
- Add waiting period
- Enable gradual access

Logging and Documentation

## What to Log
- All warnings (public and private)
- All moderation actions (mute, kick, ban)
- Appeals and outcomes
- Notable incidents
- Pattern observations

## Log Format
**Date**: [YYYY-MM-DD]
**User**: [Username#0000 / ID]
**Action**: [Warning / Mute / Ban / etc.]
**Reason**: [Specific description]
**Evidence**: [Link to messages or screenshots]
**Moderator**: [Your name]
**Notes**: [Any additional context]

## Why Document
- Pattern recognition
- Appeal handling
- Team consistency
- Legal protection

Moderator Self-Care

Avoiding Burnout

## Signs of Mod Burnout
- Dreading opening Discord
- Snapping at minor issues
- Taking things personally
- Cynicism about community
- Physical exhaustion

## Prevention Strategies
- Set clear hours (not 24/7)
- Share load with team
- Take breaks after hard cases
- Celebrate positive moments
- Have non-mod hobbies

## When You Need a Break
"Oye equipo, necesito unos días sin moderar. ¿Pueden cubrir?"
This is OK and expected.

Handling Hard Situations

## After Difficult Moderation

1. **Debrief with team**
   Share what happened, get support

2. **Don't replay it**
   You made the best decision with info you had

3. **Learn if applicable**
   What could prevent this in future?

4. **Let it go**
   Not every situation has a perfect answer

5. **Remember the good**
   Most members are great. Focus there.

Moderation Team Structure

Roles and Responsibilities

## Owner/Founder
- Final authority
- Strategic decisions
- Mod team selection
- Crisis management

## Admin
- Mod team management
- Policy decisions
- Appeal review
- Channel management

## Senior Moderator
- Handle escalations
- Train new mods
- Suggest policies
- Ban authority

## Moderator
- Day-to-day moderation
- Welcome members
- Answer questions
- Report escalations

Moderator Selection

## What to Look For
- Active community member (3+ months)
- Calm under pressure
- Fair and consistent
- Good communication
- Trusted by community
- Available during needed times

## Red Flags
- Power-seeking motivation
- History of conflicts
- Inconsistent activity
- Bias against groups
- Unwilling to learn

## Onboarding
1. Trial period with limited permissions
2. Shadow experienced mod
3. Document review and Q&A
4. Gradual permission increase
5. Regular check-ins first month

Templates

Public Rule Reminder

📋 **Recordatorio de las reglas**

¡Hola, comunidad! Un recordatorio amigable sobre [tema]:

✅ **Sí**:
- [Comportamiento esperado]
- [Comportamiento esperado]

❌ **No**:
- [Comportamiento prohibido]
- [Comportamiento prohibido]

¿Preguntas? Escríbanle a un moderador.

¡Gracias por mantener este espacio increíble! 🌮

Moderation Decision Announcement (when public)

📢 **Actualización de moderación**

Hoy tomamos la difícil decisión de [acción] a un miembro por [razón general, sin nombres].

Queremos recordarles que [regla relevante] es importante para mantener nuestra comunidad segura.

Si ven algo que les preocupa, repórtenlo con /reportar o escriban a un mod.

Gracias por su comprensión.
Equipo de moderación

Metrics

Moderation Health Indicators

## Healthy Community
- Few incidents per 1000 members
- Quick response to reports (<1 hour)
- High report accuracy (real issues)
- Low repeat offenders
- Minimal ban appeals

## Warning Signs
- Increasing incident rate
- Slow response times
- Many false reports
- Same people causing issues
- Multiple valid appeals

Resources

• Discord Safety Center
• Discord Moderator Academy
• Kubbco Discord Best Practices
• LaunchPass Moderation Guide
• CMX Community Management