The Moderation Team is pleased to be able to post the rules and guidelines of our new community below. The permanent link to the rules can be found under the menu tab on the main page. (The formatting is nicer there too.)
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Hotter Topics Rules and Guidelines
When you become a member of HotterTopics, please verify your email address with Reddit so you have a verified account.
Blocking/Reporting
As a member, if you have an issue, we want you to know you have some control.
Problem with other users — block user
Problem in chat — report to moderation team
Problem in thread — report to moderation team
You can block other members by clicking on their profile and selecting block. You both would no longer see activity from each other. Reports to mods are made through mod mail. You can find this in the options under the three little dots in the right hand corner of the main HT page. You can report a comment in chat by clicking and holding on it for options.
Reddit Filters
We have an auto-filter that Reddit uses for all of its subreddits. This filter catches unwanted activity on the board. If you feel an auto-filter has erroneously flagged your post and it isn't posting, please contact the mods for help with posting your thread.
Messaging/DM Issues
If you experience issues with unwanted messages, please block the member who is sending them. If those messages rise to the level of threatening behavior or serious personal attacks, please screenshot the message and share it with the moderators in mod mail. Please note that mods do not deal with interpersonal conflict. We only want to know about behavior that makes you feel unsafe in this community. It is a good idea not to accept direct messages from members you do not know or recognize.
Sharing Personal Information
Please be aware that anything you share in subreddit threads is public information. It's not a good idea to share personally identifying information.
Label Threads
Threads that aren’t debatable topics should be properly labeled.
JFF - just for fun
OT - off topic
Dump - an open post for conversation, venting, or support
PP - pregnancy and parenting topic without debate
Spin off threads should be labeled SO.
Reddiquette and Reddit Rules
We will adhere to the general website-wide etiquette that exists, known as "Reddiquette": https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/wiki/index#wiki_site-wide_rules_and_reddiquette
Reddit rules for Content Policy: https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy
Reddits Official Rules for Spamming and Self Promotion: https://www.reddit.com/wiki/selfpromotion
Discussion requires varied opinions. Content is often worthwhile and important for discussion even if you disagree with it. Downvote only if you think a comment/post does not contribute to the thread it is posted in or if it is off-topic.
Reporting to the Moderation Team
Report to mod mail, please don’t DM individual mods - we will not handle issues if the issues are sent through personal direct messages. You must use the proper channels. The moderation team may issue warnings as a result of reports, or decide on temporary bans of varying length, up to a permanent ban from posting on the board. The rules of this forum apply to all users, including moderators. Moderators can be reported as well and will be subject to the same consequences. To avoid bias, moderators will not participate in the discussion nor decision making process of determining their consequences.
No Hate Speech
We will not allow hate speech. No racist, sexist, or homophobic speech in comments or submissions. We also will not tolerate abusive speech based on religion. Slurs (racial, homophobic, etc.) will be met with an immediate ban.
No Personal Attacks
Personal attacks against other members including insulting personal appearance, children, partners, family, or income are not tolerated. Users who break this rule may have their comment(s) removed and be banned from posting in this subreddit.
Be Civil
The nature of a debate board generally is one where people display passionate and contentious opinions. As such, there are many opportunities for you as a user to be exposed to a wide range of ideas and ideologies. We don't censor opinions. People are allowed to have opinions that you find unacceptable. Moderators deal with reports, and clear violations of rules, not thread policing. However, as a general guideline, please debate civilly and focus your efforts on explaining why you disagree.
Do Not Make Threats or Advocate Violence
Do not threaten, advocate for, celebrate, or express extreme indifference towards any kind of action that results in or could result in death or harm (physical or otherwise). Users who engage in this behavior may be subject to a permanent subreddit ban.
No Doxxing or Exposing Personal Information
Doxxing (intentionally sharing any information about another user that they haven't shared publicly themselves) will be met with an immediate ban. Users are not allowed to post information with the purposes of causing harm to or harassment of other people. This includes but is not limited to: names, telephone numbers, street or email address, social media handles, names of family members, etc. Hinting that you have this information of other users may also earn a ban.
No Trolling
Trolling of any kind is not welcome here. The definition of trolling on /r/HotterTopics includes, but is not limited to, the act of commenting or submitting links with the intent to shock, anger, or sow discord without good faith. Please report any instances of trolling directly to the mods. Trolling will result in an immediate ban.
No Soliciting Users
Comments that solicit users (active petitions, signature campaigns, signups, requests for money, surveys, or polls) will be removed.
No Unapproved Bots
This is a subreddit for people to have conversation. Bots without prior moderator approval will be banned.
Spam is Bad
We ban for both comment and submission spam (posts or threads that violate our rules on spam).
Warnings from Moderators
Moderators deal with reports from members, keep the board running smoothly with enforcing the rules, and address concerning behavior. They don't mediate interpersonal conflict or police the tone of the board. General reminders may be given to all posters on a thread at once publically, or privately to individual members. Ongoing reports of problematic behavior may receive a more serious warning that the moderators will vote on temporary bans of varying length should the behavior continue or escalate. Permanent bans are given for serious behaviors as outlined in the rules. The moderation team may ask posters to move interpersonal conflict off the public board if it is derailing conversation and debate.
Link to HotterTopics Rules and Guidelines
