Acceptable Language

[oldfella]

Forum URL: http://.proboards.com

What is Proboard's policy with regards to acceptable language... can an Administrator "open" the board to any-thin-goes "adult" language, including profanity. Since 13-year olds visit these boards, shouldn't Proboard have restrictions in this area? Thanks you.

Pete (The Oldfella)

[Tommy Huynh]

oldfella said:

Forum URL: http://.proboards.com

What is Proboard's policy with regards to acceptable language... can an Administrator "open" the board to any-thin-goes "adult" language, including profanity. Since 13-year olds visit these boards, shouldn't Proboard have restrictions in this area? Thanks you.

Pete (The Oldfella)

They do have restrictions, it's called the Terms of Service. (Which can be found on the main page)

www.proboards.com/tos.html

[oldfella]

Thank you Tommy, I appreciate your prompt response.

Pete (The Oldfella)

[Tommy Huynh]

oldfella said:

Thank you Tommy, I appreciate your prompt response.

Pete (The Oldfella)

No problem, you're welcome.

[Storm]

There is also a censored word list on your board that you can edit to keep from having bad words. It's in the admin section.

[oldfella]

Thanks Storm - I have no access to the Admin panel since I'm only a Moderator, trying to help clear some misunderstandings in this area.

Pete

[kapt]

Actually, it's not against the TOS to swear on your boards. It is allowed as long as it's not excessive, or done in a hatefull way

Kapt~`'-

[ladybird2872]

You might find it helpful to post a "Rules of Engagement" on your site, and stickie it.

That's one of the first things I did when I started my message board. I typed up some Rules of Engagement, and it's posted as a stickie and an annoucement on my board.

That way, new members will know immediately about the atmosphere on the board, and what I have determined to be acceptable behavior and language.

[ladybird2872]

Also here are some other suggestions for you:

1. When new people join your board, you can send them a standard welcome message. And you can include some Rules of Engagement (or a link to those rules) in your welcome message. I have a standard welcome message I sent out to all new board members on my site.

2. Also, if you are finding that offensive language is becoming an issue on your board, you can address the issue by either emailing or PMing all members, and discusing it. Tell them you're glad to have them as members of your site, but you're concerned about language, and explain why.

[oldfella]

Thanks every one - I'll suggest that to the Admin.

Pete (The Oldfella)

[The Adorable Snowman]

captkozmo said:

Actually, it's not against the TOS to swear on your boards. It is allowed as long as it's not excessive, or done in a hatefull way

Kapt~`'-

It says in the TOS though...

"User's content must comply in a manner consistent with any and all applicable laws of the State of California and the US Federal Government. User's web site may not contain content promoting the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, nudity, or any other form of adult content, profanity, hate, "spam," fraud, racism, mlm, pyramid schemes, or promote any illegal activity. User's message board and Web site must be in English. "

I thought profanity was bad language / swearing ?

The TOS staff might interpret swearing as "adult content", no?

Afterall, movies / computer games get classed as 18+ if they contain swearing do they not?,

**scratches head**

[kapt]

cybersuburbia said:

captkozmo said:

Actually, it's not against the TOS to swear on your boards. It is allowed as long as it's not excessive, or done in a hatefull way

Kapt~`'-

It says in the TOS though...

"User's content must comply in a manner consistent with any and all applicable laws of the State of California and the US Federal Government. User's web site may not contain content promoting the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, nudity, or any other form of adult content, profanity, hate, "spam," fraud, racism, mlm, pyramid schemes, or promote any illegal activity. User's message board and Web site must be in English. "

I thought profanity was bad language / swearing ?

The TOS staff might interpret swearing as "adult content", no?

Afterall, movies / computer games get classed as 18+ if they contain swearing do they not?,

**scratches head**

You bring up a very good point. I was just going by something Craig said recently in the Mod Board. Best wait for him to say something official

Kapt~`'-

[Martyn Dale]

There are various words which are being phased into "allowed" you will notice language used on TV now 10 years ago would be deemed NO

For the most part, unless its seen to be hateful etc, or inexcess, a word here and there is fine

[Corrupt]

then why have people been given warnings arround the GT board

Warning: Exchanging a letter with *, is the same as saying the word

[oldfella]

Isn't that how things begin to slide South, by allowing little-by-little, a word here and a word there? I happen to agree with Cybersuburbia. Adult content, to me, means behaving like adults. Profanity in any form, especially the F word, is not "adult" behavior.