It has been a significant amount of time since we last shared our comments guidelines and standards. To give you context, when we last addressed comments, the iPhone 5 was yet to be launched, Android users were still on Jelly Bean, and Facebook had just become a public company. Much has shifted over the past five years, but our commitment to our readers has not wavered. We want to take a moment to clarify some aspects of our comments section and community engagement.
Purpose of Our Comments Section
Comments sections often receive a bad reputation, with the saying "Don't read the comments" reflecting a widespread sentiment. However, there are many genuinely engaging discussions occurring within our comments, ranging from personal gadget experiences to detailed technical insights. We value our comments section as a platform for readers to discuss our articles, often providing us with valuable feedback and perspectives that enhance our stories.
While the rules for online interactions may differ, we have carefully reconsidered our guidelines and laid out a clear policy regarding acceptable behavior and content in our comments.
Commenting Basics: Features and Functions
To start, here are some technical aspects of our comments system:
- Editing and Deleting: You can find options to edit or delete your comments in a drop-down menu located in the upper-right corner of each comment.
- Link Approval: Any comment containing a URL will be marked as "pending" until a moderator approves it to prevent spam.
- Banned Words: We maintain a list of banned words that will automatically trigger comment removal. Insults and vulgar language, especially directed at others, will not be tolerated.
- Notifications: You can manage email notifications for likes, replies, or mentions in your profile settings.
Commenting Basics: Behavior
Our primary guideline is simple: "don't be a jerk." We encourage civil discourse, so please refrain from rudeness or insults. Everyone who participates is a member of our community, and mutual respect is essential.
Avoid jumping to conclusions or making personal attacks. Instead, embrace patience and understanding, as all community members come to engage positively. Insulting others or belittling their viewpoints contradicts our aim for a respectful dialogue.
Reporting Offensive Comments
If you encounter an offensive comment, please report it. You can do this by hovering over the upper-right corner of the comment and selecting the "report" option. Our moderators will review reported comments and remove those that violate our guidelines, but we will not delete comments simply because they express differing opinions.
Addressing Article Issues
If you spot an error in our articles, such as typos or inaccuracies, please inform us by adding articleerror to your comment. This will help our moderators address the issue promptly.
Comments Section Problems
For issues related to the comments functionality, kindly email us at commentsupport@engadget.com with detailed information.
Comment Deletion Reasons
While we prefer a light touch in moderation, there are specific reasons why comments may be deleted:
- Spam or repeated postings will always be deleted.
- Profanity, especially f-bombs, is automatically flagged.
- Hateful comments based on race, gender, or other characteristics will be removed.
- Threats of violence or self-harm will result in immediate deletion.
- Name-calling and derogatory remarks are not acceptable.
- Constructive criticism is welcome, but baseless insults will lead to comment deletion.
- Political or incendiary remarks that serve to provoke rather than engage will also be removed.
We aspire for our comments section to reflect the quality of a thoughtful classroom discussion rather than a chaotic playground. Our goal is to create a space for civil interaction and community engagement.
About Comment Closure
We are not obliged to have comments open for every article. Various factors, such as the frequency of guideline violations and the nature of the topic, may lead to comments being closed. We prefer keeping comments open, but respect for our guidelines is crucial to maintain this privilege.
Understanding Censorship Concerns
Some may perceive the moderation of comments as censorship. However, it's essential to recognize that commenting on our platform is a privilege, not a right. We value feedback but maintain the right to create a respectful environment for all users.
Consequences of Misconduct
Users exhibiting trolling or harassment will be banned from commenting. Hate speech and personal attacks are unacceptable and will result in immediate bans.
Conclusion
We are committed to improving our comments section, and your adherence to our guidelines will help foster a positive community. We want the comments to be a compelling reason for readers to engage with our content, not a section to be avoided.
Source: Engadget News