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ASilentObserver profile picture
7 Cups Behavior Reporting Process & Tracking - Updated Version
by ASilentObserver
Last post
2 days ago
...See more All, The post below outlines an updated behavior reporting process! We had originally launched this in 2016 and we are now updating it and re-emphasizing it as we move forward. Our objective to streamline the process and keep you well informed. Not many people struggle with a number of behavior points, but for people that do, we want to ensure that you can take steps to improve your behavior and be part of the community. We are figuring out the best ways to manage unhelpful & un-supportive behaviors on 7 Cups. Once you have reviewed the entire post, please ask any questions or share your constructive thoughts. This process is designed to provide you an opportunity to improve. We do not have any intentions to punish anyone but we do need to keep people accountable for their behavior. It is your community and how you behave, impacts it as well. Our purpose is to provide a better help & support and compassionate environment to all. We all want to be part of a community that fosters high warmth and high expectations. It is the best way to lead a community because everyone deserves support and compassion. Growing a plant, for example, requires a lot of effort, care, and the right treatment. Not every plant growth is similar but the basic process is somewhat the same. Suitable environment, the right proportion of soil, water, sunlight. Knowing the right conditions is significant for a seed to grow into a beautiful plant. Similarly for a community: If you have high warmth but low expectations, then structure or its culture is low. If you have low warmth and high expectations, then it has a structure, but limited reliability and safety. If you have low warmth and low expectations, then neither has a structure nor culture. If you have high warmth and high expectations, it has structure and reliability and safety. So here we are focused on providing both so that the community can have increased trust, support, culture, safety, and compassion. A few points to keep in mind when reading the below: * We believe in second chances. We know and understand no one is perfect and can improve. But, we need to understand when you have an opportunity to improve, you strive to improve and show that you improved. Value the opportunities you have. * We believe in inclusivity. We welcome all constructive feedback. Because we are also not perfect and striving to improve. Feedback is a two-way process. Ensure to provide feedback in a compassionate, constructive, and respectful manner. * We believe in accountability. Everyone is responsible and accountable for their actions. Because action has a reaction and impacts someone. We are in a community setup, so how you act impacts community activities. If you are supportive, the activities flow in a positive way. If you act unsupportive, the activity flow gets interrupted. * We believe transparency is helpful. As a community member, it is your right to know what is happening with the reports and how it gets processed. So, we want to provide better transparency in our actions in this system. However, there are also natural limitations too. We will not be able to share or disclose in detail with the community at large things that are happening on an individual basis. Because a wise person said, Praise in public, criticize in private. We want to give everyone a second chance to improve and feel encouraged to improve. The below behavior rating system has been specifically designed to meet the community's needs. We considered all inputs and tried to include all that was feasible to add. As you review this post, please remember this is a work in progress and always be updated as per the community's needs. Please share all constructive feedback, inputs, and ideas on what is missing or what does not make sense and what can be done. Introduction The aim of this guide is to provide information and to help you understand how the Behavioral Points System would work. What is the Behavioral Rating System? It is a process we would be used to assign points based on the infractions they did in the community at a point in time. Every time, they commit a violation, they will be getting points assigned and informed through email so they know what violations they did, and what points assigned to them for the violations. So they can have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes they made and improve. But if they do not improve and they cross the threshold, they will face consequences. This is modeled after other point systems like having a driving license in the US. If a person drives in a safe and smart manner (they are a good member), then they will receive no points. If they drive through stop signs, then they get a point. If they drive dangerously, then they get more points. If a person accrues enough points, then they are required to go to driving school. If they still do not improve then they can lose their license and no longer drive. It is a systematic process where all reports will be included for a user. How does it work? * The system will be applicable to both listeners and members. * Each behavior report or flagged forum thread will be evaluated using the below point criteria. Points are cumulative. * Each point expires 6 months after it was earned. * If no reports within three months from the date of action, an 80% reduction in the points. Note: One can be able to apply for a leadership role. This includes Mentor roles, teen star, group mod, peer support, and project agent roles. * If zero reports within a month from the date of action, 40% reduction in the behavior score. Applicability of the system: The process will be applicable moving forward. It won't consider past reports. Except for the reports which are severe. It will be up to the Community Management Teams' decision for those reports. How reports are filed? Reports filed via specific behavior reports: The incoming report will be reviewed by the concerned team. It will be reviewed for accuracy and if one of the below behaviors is identified the following actions will be taken: The authority sends a warning message to the reported user letting them know about the report. If the user would like to provide their side of the story, they will be invited to do that. Point(s) will be assigned if the user assumes responsibility for the action and agrees that it happened. The authority will let the user know the point has been assigned. If the user does not accept responsibility for the behavior and the evidence that the behavior did occur is clear, point(s) will be assigned. It is requested of all reporters that they submit relevant screenshots to prove their accusations for a user. All points will be tallied and tracked on the community management team's backend panel. Dates will be logged to monitor the timing. Please click here for more information on how to provide constructive feedback. [https://www.7cups.com/forum/SafetyKnowledgeat7Cups_181/CommunityGuidelines_1374/KeepingForumsWelcomingandSupportiveForumGuidelinesUpdate_229098/1/#2446886] You can learn more about triangulation here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/ListenersOnlyForums_38/LaurasOffice_169/WhatisTriangulation3StepstoAvoidingStoppingitfromhappeninginthecommunity_35107/1/] Learn more about rumors spreading here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/TeensOnlyClub_123/IarasStation_590/RumorsandGossipHowtoprotectourcommunityfromsuchbehaviorMemberSideedition_39670/]. Learn what open communication is here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/SafetyKnowledgeat7Cups_181/Guidesonhowtomanagesituationson7cups_1059/OpenCommunicationTipsTricks_26627/1/]. Important Notes: � All the behaviors identified above are common behavior identified in the specific areas. Though, if the same behavior is found in other parts of the community as well, the points and consequences will be applicable. Zero Points Behavior. They are applicable for the first instance only. If the behavior continues, the points will be assigned according to the severity of the reported behavior. Except for a few specific behaviors that are subjected only to listeners. All other behaviors are subject to both listeners and members of the community. Adult Teen Listeners- In case of violations, the badge and access will be removed instantly. Below you will find the corresponding consequences of the above behaviors. Red Flag Offenses: � Forum Spam - If you are repeatedly spamming the forums with inappropriate content or advertisements you or your account may be removed Post inappropriate or graphic pictures, your account will be removed Sexting and/or repeatedly sexting (after a given warning not to) will result in account removal Underage or in the wrong age community (you must be 15 to be a listener & 13 to be a member) Red Flag Consequences: Immediate removal from 7 Cups community Protocol on Getting Support from a community leader: If you are having a problem, you may approach a community leader for support on how to manage that situation. However, please refrain from telling them specific details. As a general rule when communicating with community leaders: we should avoid using names and specific details about a person or a given situation. For example, if you are having a conflict with another listener. You could go to the community leader and say I am struggling with a difficult situation. Could you give me some tips on how to use conflict resolution? In this example, no specific details are mentioned, but you are still able to ask for help as you work through a difficult situation. Footnote: The protocols are similar to earlier ones and shared from the previous update with few changes. Updated the constructive feedback point in accordance with the new forum guideline [https://www.7cups.com/forum/SafetyKnowledgeat7Cups_181/CommunityGuidelines_1374/KeepingForumsWelcomingandSupportiveForumGuidelinesUpdate_229098/1/#2446886] on Sep 23, 2020 - Hope Link here to Heather's clarification post on BPS https://www.7cups.com/forum/SiteUpdates_100/HsHangout_1970/SomeclarificationonLLReports_230570/ Guidelines with better view available in the Community Guidelines page, Click here [https://www.7cups.com/community-guidelines/7-Cups-Behavioral-Points-System-70ccca9adfef4babba74119da05a91d4] [edited by MistyMagic to remove scripts and add in H's post 30 Oct 2020]
Heather225 profile picture
Apply for the Safety Patrol Team! (Now Open to Listeners and Members)
by Heather225
Last post
August 20th
...See more Are you passionate about our community? Are you always looking out for the safety of others? We are looking for dedicated community members to scan for inappropriate profiles and flag them so they can be removed quickly and efficiently from the site! We are very excited to announce that members can now join the team! Here’s what being on the Safety Patrol looks like:: - Scan the browse listeners page [https://www.7cups.com/BrowseListeners/] daily and flag any inappropriate profiles - Scan the general request queue daily for inappropriate profiles - Scan forums or group rooms for inappropriate profiles - Be proactive to help flag any profile you have seen anywhere that is inappropriate How do we know if it's inappropriate? - Sexual or graphic profile picture - Sexual or graphic username - Sexual or graphic bio text - Profile bio text sharing social media handles, email Id..etc. Prerequisites & Expectations: ✓ Listeners: You must be a Verified Listener [https://www.7cups.com/forum/ListenerLearningJourney_149/VerifiedListenersProject_1839/IWanttobeaVerifiedListener_46935/1/] ✓ Members: You must be a part of the community for at least one month (no longer have the Newbie badge) ✓ You must be active on 7 Cups a few times a week (roughly an hour minimum) ✓ You will be required to read a document on best practices [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vBXLvo7gLMewIM1lhnZ2g8MXAnq4sMwxqXgxzTJCDos/edit] and pass a test to prove your knowledge. ✓ Once you have read the guide in full and understand the material, apply and take the test here. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiPkuyjGZs7x2NY5b1tgkO5QoRRiXzFFobMpHiWthKUxgaKg/viewform] Primary Points of Contact Team Leader: Rebekah Thank you so much for your interest in keeping 7 Cups a safe and supportive place! [ Updated by Rebekah on 4th January 2023 to display newer guide. ] [ Updated by Rebekah on 25th February 2026 to amend the leaders list. ]
Heather225 profile picture
Community Safety Awareness: Listener Conduct, Soliciting & Offsite
by Heather225
Last post
August 11th
...See more Hi everyone, Your safety, privacy, and trust are the most important things to us at 7 Cups. You come here for a safe, supportive space to be heard, and we are committed to protecting that. We want to post a critical reminder about the rules our volunteer Listeners must follow. This is to ensure every member knows what to expect and what is never acceptable. Listeners are volunteers. Support is always free. 7 Cups Listeners are volunteers. They are here to provide empathetic listening and support, and they are never paid for their time. * A Listener should NEVER ask you for money, donations, or payment of any kind. * Listeners are strictly prohibited from soliciting or promoting any personal, paid services (e.g., "I am a therapist, here is my link, my sessions cost $X"). To protect your privacy and safety, all conversations with Listeners should stay on the 7 Cups platform. * Listeners are not permitted to ask you to move the conversation to an off-site, personal platform (like  Tele*gram WhatsApp,, social media accounts, or personal email). * If a Listener sends you a personal link to chat elsewhere, do not click it. This is a serious violation of our guidelines. Listeners are trained to listen. They are not therapists or healthcare professionals.  * A Listener's role is to listen, not to give diagnoses, medical advice, or tell you what to do. * Offering their own paid therapy service (as mentioned in point #1) is a severe violation of this boundary and our community's trust. If a Listener ever does any of the following: * Asks you for money or payment. * Tries to sell you a personal, paid service (like therapy or coaching). * Sends you a link to chat on a personal, off-site platform  Please take these steps immediately: * Do not click any personal links, disclose any of your personally identifying information (including your social media), or send money. * Report the Listener: Use our Helpdesk HERE [https://help.7cups.com/hc/en-us/requests/new/]. Make sure to add screenshots when submitting your report so the team has evidence to corroborate the report and take appropriate action. It's also important to understand that these rules are fundamental community guidelines. As such, they apply to members too. Review the Community Guidelines for all users to abide by HERE. [https://www.7cups.com/community-guidelines/] ------------------------- Thank you for helping us uphold these core principles and safeguard the 7 Cups experience for everyone!
Heather225 profile picture
The Offsite Contact Rule and How It Protects You
by Heather225
Last post
July 12th
...See more Hi, everybody! Some folks have asked why we enforce zero tolerance when it comes to offsite contact. The offsite contact rule is simple: you're not permitted to ask for or share personal contact information with anyone you meet on 7 Cups. This includes social media handles, phone numbers, email addresses, or any other way for someone to contact you outside of the site.  I know it can be tempting to connect with people you've bonded with outside of the platform, and you may think it's a pretty trivial thing, but it's crucial to understand why the rule is in place and why it's so vital for our community's safety. ‼️ The main reason for this rule is to protect our community members. 7 Cups is designed to be a safe, anonymous space where you can share and receive support without fear of judgment, harassment, or having your personal information compromised. Once you take a conversation offsite, that safety net disappears. ‼️ 7 Cups provides a level of anonymity that allows people to be vulnerable and open up. We don't really know who is on the other side of the screen. No matter how much you think you know or trust someone, sharing personal information can expose you to real-world dangers that the platform can't protect you from. I consider our platform a sanctuary, a place where the focus is on emotional support. When offsite contact occurs, it can lead to complicated relationships, gossip, and conflicts that can spill back onto the site and disrupt the supportive environment we've all worked so hard to create. ‼️ The moment you move your conversations off 7 Cups, the platform has no way of helping you if something goes wrong. Our community guidelines, reporting tools, and staff can't intervene in offsite interactions.  ‼️ This rule is especially critical for protecting younger users and those who are in a vulnerable state. It helps prevent things like "catfishing" (someone pretending to be someone they're not) or a user with harmful intentions from targeting someone they've connected with. I know it can be frustrating, especially when you feel like you've made a genuine connection with someone. But please remember that this rule is for everyone's benefit. It’s a collective effort to maintain the integrity and safety of this community. Let's all do our part to respect the guidelines [https://www.7cups.com/community-guidelines/] and keep this a safe space for everyone who needs it. ------------------------- If you're not convinced, I recommend reading this real user cautionary tale: My Experiences with Offsite Contact [https://www.7cups.com/forum/safe7cups/Part3InformationResoucesUpdatesStation_1371/MyExperienceswithOffsiteContact_317308/]
Magicpawsoffuture profile picture
Links
by Magicpawsoffuture
Last post
July 2nd
...See more  What is the 7 cups guideline on links? do you click on them or not! whats the best practice
Michaelmichael profile picture
How useful is the word "troll" on 7 Cups?
by Michaelmichael
Last post
June 17th
...See more I want to start by saying that I love this place, and one thing I especially love is how safe this community feels. And a big reason for that feeling of safety is that we have an amazing team here, working to make sure that appropriate action is taken if people are being hurtful or disruptive in the community, in the way @Laura describes in this thread [https://www.7cups.com/forum/ListenersOnlyForums_38/LaurasOffice_169/TrollingMutualResponsibilityHereishowyoucanhelp_26570/1/]. This often requires some difficult work and I'm in total admiration of everyone here that helps keep the community feeling safe and respectful and supportive, it's awesome. One thing I've been thinking about recently is how we use the word "troll". I know it is very commonly used to describe someone that is being deliberately disruptive online. I don't think it's a great word to use to describe people here on 7 Cups, and I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks. Let me also be clear that I am not saying please stop using it! I am not in favour of censoring it, or anything like that. I just think the words we choose are important in how we express ourselves, and if we can find better ways to do that as a community, why not talk about it? Here's why I'm not a fan of the word "troll": 1. The word "troll" means different things to different people. Many people would agree that someone coming into a chat room and straight away verbally abusing other people and posting links to obscene images etc, could be defined as a troll. But many listeners also use the word "troll" to describe a member who seems to not be telling the truth in a 1-On-1. And as experienced listeners here know, members and guests might have a number of reasons for not telling the truth. Maybe what they are saying feels true to them. Maybe they are shaken up and not getting details right. Maybe it is the truth, but it just sounds unlikely to us. Maybe their story is somewhere between imagination and reality because they're not totally comfortable about opening up and they want to check they can really trust their listener to be open minded and non judgmental. Many listeners also use the word troll to describe someone that is being disruptive or getting angry in a 1-On-1 chat. And maybe they are being disruptive, but maybe it is because they are in a dark place and don't know how to best reach out for support. How comfortable are we with the use of the word "troll" in those situations? And if we talk about removing trolls on 7 Cups, do we risk giving new listeners the idea that they should block and report or ban if they believe members or guests are not telling the truth, or are getting angry in a chat? 2. The word "troll" is dehumanising. If someone is disrupting the atmosphere, abusing or harassing people here on 7 Cups, it might be that its not a good fit for them to have an account here, and the community managers may have to intervene. Thats whats right and necessary to help protect the community, and also to help guide the person thats being disruptive too. The way I see it, thats not a reason to label that person with a name that makes them sound less than human. One of the community guidelines here is that were respectful to all users of the site at all times, whether thats towards them, or when talking about them. I think thats such an important guideline. People here dont have to earn our respect - we respect them automatically as human beings, as a part of our community, regardless of how they're behaving. Maybe the word troll is widespread among online communities, but 7 Cups is not just any online community. I feel as though we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard. All our experience on the site shows us every day that people around us can be really struggling with something in their life, that people dont know about. And being abusive or hurtful is many peoples way of trying to regain some control when they are struggling. Their behaviour doesnt fit our community guidelines at all, but it doesnt make them any less human, either. We can condemn the behaviour and still respect the person. Because being respected is not a privilege here, its a given. 3. There are plenty of much better alternatives. The words we choose are important. You can say its just semantics - thats not what you mean, when you say ‘troll. Well, semantics carry a lot of weight, and people read into the words we choose, no matter how we intend them. So why not be clearer about what we mean? If I need to let a group mod know theres a troll in the Community Room do I mean abusive language in the Community Room? disrupting the Community Room? harassing a guest in the Community Room? That also helps the group mod understand what to look for. in the thread [https://www.7cups.com/forum/ListenersOnlyForums_38/LaurasOffice_169/TrollingMutualResponsibilityHereishowyoucanhelp_26570/1/] I mentioned earlier, I really like how Laura chooses her wording to describe behaviour that would need to be reported: acting in a way that is publicly disruptive and hurtful and disruptive and ugly behavior - that makes sense to me, as a way to talk about this. Describe the behaviour, dont label the person. We're all just people here. Even people who come here and behave really unpleasantly and maliciously - theyre just people. We all have our lives, we all have people we care for and things were sad about and difficulties and passions just like everyone. We have all had moments when our behaviour has been disruptive, or cruel. Its not good, but its part of being human. Being human is what 7 Cups is all about, and thats something I love about this community too. (Thanks so much @MizMickey and @MissZ for their awesome help and insight with this post!)
Namecubed profile picture
How do I change my name?
by Namecubed
Last post
June 15th
...See more I want to change my name, but can't find the field in settings anymore.
AffyAvo profile picture
Why write a post with AI?
by AffyAvo
Last post
January 28th
...See more I'm sensing quite a bit of AI is being used in the forums, and it's not being acknowledged in these posts.  Did you know this is against guidelines? https://www.7cups.com/forum/7cupsleadership/SafetyGuidelines_1374/ExpandedForumGuidelines13ArtificialIntelligence_326857/ [https://www.7cups.com/forum/7cupsleadership/SafetyGuidelines_1374/ExpandedForumGuidelines13ArtificialIntelligence_326857/] I'm not against people using AI for a bit of polishing. This can be helpful for anyone who finds it difficult to communicate well in an English written forum post. Just acknowledge the tool's use and it helps readers to understand the tone better. I think the real value of 7 cups is connecting with other people. We can connect with bots like Noni or elsewhere if we want. I hope the forums continue to be a place where people can genuinely connect. 
thinker23 profile picture
Mobile app is not working
by thinker23
Last post
December 31st, 2025
...See more it always freezes on the background of the cup help me please any other version? or older version i can use? the google play store one is broken
TortueDesBois profile picture
forum badges
by TortueDesBois
Last post
December 6th, 2025
...See more hi If I have the Forum Guide (250 posts and 50 upvotes) and Forum Light (500 posts and 100 upvotes) badges, How I get the Forum Companion (25 Posts and 5 Upvotes), Forum Helper (50 posts and 20 upvotes) and Forum Buddy (100 posts and 25 upvotes) badges?? and it seems that i am not the only member with those badges missing... but all those who did meet the criterias before the badges was created...
emilyoverboard profile picture
Messages are extremely delayed and do not give me a notification when I receive them?
by emilyoverboard
Last post
December 3rd, 2025
...See more I'm new to 7Cups, and I already love being a listener, but my chat messages do not give me a notification when I receive messages. I just had a chat where the talker's message did not come through for 19 minutes, and when I finally saw them, the talker had already gone offline. I hate giving the impression that I'm not listening or that I don't care simply because I don't know I have a new message.
FaceYourFears profile picture
How has 7 Cups helped you?
by FaceYourFears
Last post
December 3rd, 2025
...See more How has 7 Cups helped you from either being a listener or a talker?
greenapples235 profile picture
How do I leave a review for a listener?
by greenapples235
Last post
October 16th, 2025
...See more I went on a listener's page and I couldn't figure out how to rate her and give her a review. I saw the overall rate but I couldn't actually rate her. Please help me.
goldenLion1121 profile picture
A member you are chatting with is being rude and inappropriate towards you, what do you do?
by goldenLion1121
Last post
September 10th, 2025
...See more A member you are talking with in PMs is being rude and Inappropriate towards you. How do you handle this situation? 😮😮 (Learning is so much more enjoyable when we do it all together, so tag a listener and invite them to come join us to share their opinions!) Thank you to @sunisshingingandsoareyou and @LavenderHere for this awesome forum thread idea! ❤️
virtualSolace44 profile picture
🌸 Please respect my privacy at this time 🌸
by virtualSolace44
Last post
September 7th, 2025
...See more I just discovered there is a feature to browse listeners by what state they’re located in.   I’m wondering what reason there would be to seek out a listener in a specific state. Continent, country…sure, but what is 7 Cups doing to protect the privacy of listeners at this point, especially when listeners are held to a very high standard to protect the privacy and confidentiality of members. Why is United States the only country which asks for a more specific location?  I guess I’m glad I discovered this, but it’s pretty alarming. A layer of my privacy is now compromised. I have never once mentioned what state I live in on my member or listener account, yet here is my listener account on a list specified by state. These are the questions I have: * How long has this been on the website?  * Where in the guidelines is it stated listeners can be browsed by state?  * How did 7 Cups notify listeners that they are now available to be browsed by state?   * Who exactly should a member/listener contact to have their data permanently removed from the 7 Cups website?  * The guidelines put the onus on protecting privacy and security solely on its members and listeners. What is 7 Cups doing to keep this community safe?  @Heather225 @Tommy @Rebekah @SilentObserver @glenM

🌟 Welcome! 🌟

Here at the Safety & Knowledge sub-community, our focus is on creating a culture of awareness and support. Please join us to learn how to keep yourself safe online!

See below some key aspects of our community;

Community Guidelines Series
Part 1 ---> Profiles
Part 2 
---> Behaviour
Part 3 
---> Account Safety
Part 4 
---> Boundaries and Behaviour
Part 5 
---> General Safety for Everyone


Quizzes
All Safety Quiz Events
Safety Quiz - 2024


Safety Team Information
Safety Outreach & Discussions
Safety Patrol


Team Leaders
Ambassador ---> Rebekah
Admin Oversight ---> Bookworm4

Community Guidelines

🌟Welcome!🌟

As this is our Safety sub-community, these guidelines are extra extra important! 🌟 here they are below;

1. Please be kind to all users. Forum posts/comments that attack or otherwise offend another user will be removed.
2. No offsite contact sharing. This is strictly against site rules.
3. Please stay on topic to the best of your ability!
4. Please keep confidential information to yourself. This means no sharing of usernames, messages in a 1-1 or a group setting, or any details about a member chat. Take any and all issues that you'd like to discuss in more depth to Rebekah.
5. Please try to post threads within the relevant sub-forum! We understand that this might not be easy, but posting a thread such as "Hello, I'm new!" would clearly not be suited to Safety Awareness or Teen Safety 🌞

Community Leaders
Project Agent
Community Resources

Find any and all safety resources for 7 Cups here!