I’ve never noticed a report button on PM’s… I had to go look. Yep, there is a Report Button on several of the forums I participate in. I suppose I’m in a minority that hasn’t noticed. I attribute that to my thinking of PM’s as private and never really looking to or considering reporting a post.Mac_Fife wrote:Most forum software will allow PMs to be reported in much the same way as public posts are. I think PMs need to given a bit more freedom of expression otherwise there'd be no point in directing people to go to PM, but the terms of service you agree to when joining the forum are probably for use of the forums as a whole i.e. the forum rules apply to PMs as well as posts. But making an explicit statement on sharing PMs with moderators is possibly a good idea: As an expansion of that point, in many cases, if someone PMs a moderator with a moderation request (rather than reporting a post), then the PM is likely to be shared with the other moderators, a) so there is transparency in what's going on, and b) so another mod can take up the issue if necessary.Nalates wrote:Can one report abusive PM’s?
Does a site need to include a privacy point on whether PM’s can or cannot be sent to moderators with only the consent of one party?
Yes, a thread on Post/PM reporting is probably worthwhile.
There is an idea that PM's should have fewer restrictions than forum posts. But, much looser and in what ways?
I have questions of the privacy issues regarding PM's and how one party might share them, presumably without the others consent. I generally consider a PM private and not for general publication without permission. With the realization there is a Report button I think it should be obvious moderators may get to see the PM.
In PM’ing moderators it would seem reasonable to include content from PM’s and posts. I am also considering content from Twitter/Plurk and blogs to show attitude and probable intent.
The thing I find interesting is the difference in Reporting a post and PM’ing moderators about a post. It seems to me, from what I understand now, that a PM may be a better way to handle an issue with veiled and disingenuous posts and general attitudes of disrespect. If PM’s are shared among moderators it seems that would allow for more consistent response with a problem poster. Is that a better way to handle those issues?
This would also allow one to pull several problem posts along with blog posts and tweets to show attitude and thinking. I would think including one’s reasoning and objections to the comments in the PM would help.