General Warnings - When and how to use them

I've noticed some things said in the member rooms, and I want to bring more attention to this topic.

We need to focus on when and how we give our general warnings.
One thing I've seen being said is things like, Please don't break the rules, even when no rules are being broken and everyone is being respectful and supportive.

Why shouldn't we say that?
It's not helping anything. Members and listeners either aren't aware they're breaking rules, or they don't care if they are. I think it's obvious to most people that they shouldn't break the rules, so why does it need to be said? Members and listeners that visit the rooms often will likely know that a mod will take action if a rule is broken, and so a mod telling the room not to break rules won't affect anything. You don't need to tell people not to break rules until they're breaking them, and when they do, specify which rule is being broken.

We don't need to remind anyone of the rules if they're not being broken.
Another thing I've seen in the rooms is small reminders of specific rules that aren't being broken, such as, We need to make sure we're being respectful, and Let's remember to be supportive.

Why shouldn't we say that?
If rules aren't being broken, there's no reason to mention them. When someone breaks a rule, the participants in that room can usually know because they can see the message that breaks the rule, or when messages get deleted for breaking rules, people can often see the messages move after one is deleted. If a general reminder is given for a specific rule, people might look for the message that broke that rule, and they might be confused after they can't find it. Some people, particularly those new to the chatrooms, might worry that they accidentally broke a rule and wonder what they said that could have broken it. Rather than creating a safe space for all members, we might be causing them to worry about what they've said and how they act.

When should we give general warnings?
If someone breaks a rule, delete the message if needed, such as if someone bypassed the censor, then give a general warning about the rule that was broken. Because they are general warnings, make sure you aren't targeting anyone; they're reminders to the entire room. There is no reason to give a general warning if no rules are being broken. It doesn't matter if the rule had been broken recently.

In conclusion
As mods, we're here to create a safe space for members to share and be supported, and by misusing our power, we can create the opposite of that. This does not mean general warnings shouldn't be given when necessary, but that we should ensure we're only mentioning the rules and giving general warnings about rules when those rules are being broken. We all make mistakes, but it can help to be more mindful of what's happening in the room and of what we're saying. Anyone that signs up for a role that gives them abilities that can help them create a supportive, welcoming atmosphere for members is clearly a wonderful person, but we need to make sure we're doing what we intend to do.

Thank you to @InvaderStitch for all their help!