Mod Hate and Cyberbullying
What is Mod Hate?
Mod Hate refers to a situation where a moderator gets antagonized or attacked for how they mod or how they handle situations in the room. Some instances that exhibit mod hate are being teamed up on, being mocked, receiving derogatory comments, spreading rumors, accusing of banning someone and so on. Mod hate doesnt only happen in the rooms but also in the forums and feed when certain users post something maliciously and deconstructive about a specific mod.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior. [x]
When does Mod Hate become Cyberbullying?
Mod hate is a natural occurrence wherein the participants of the room dont agree with how a mod enforces rules and de-escalates conflicts. While its normal to not like every mod you encounter, its always important to be mindful of how youre conveying your opinions towards a mod.
If mod hate has been a recurring situation and a specific mod is being targeted by specific users for a long period of time, it can be considered as cyberbullying. Mod hate becomes cyberbullying, if the participants of the room have been continually disrespecting a mod and attacking them on a personal level.
Examples of mod hate turning into a serious cyberbullying:
Spreading rumors or making false accusations that ruin the mods reputation and image
Harassing or threatening mods either in PMs or in the rooms
Expressing strong disgust whenever a mod is around by saying obnoxious comments towards mods
Ganging up on mods and talking about them offsite
Heckling mods while de-escalating a conflict
What if I find the mod misbehaving in the rooms?
The Mod review form was made for a reason. It can be used to provide detailed feedback constructively about the performance of mods in the rooms. If you feel the need to discuss it with a leader, please reach out to our Group Support Ambassadors: @Lorraine234, @Fluffyunicorns84 and @Aly, to our Group Support Community Manager or to our Safety Coordinator: @Heather225
How can I help in alleviating cyberbullying in the rooms?
Be respectful by being mindful of the comments you say.
Use your mute buttons and dont engage in any sort of conflicts. By adding fuel to the fire, youre only making the situation worse and toxic.
Let the mod handle the situation and dont subject yourself to being muted or suspended. Take a step back from the room, if necessary.
Practice using the mod emergency form found in the Chatroom Rule no. 22.
Some questions to answer:
What do you think is the root cause of mod hate?
How does mod hate become cyberbullying?
As a member of the community, what do you think you can do to eliminate mod hate? And how can you avoid it in becoming cyberbullying?
If you're a mod, how do you handle mod hate?
This is a well thorough post with showing the difference between mod hate and cyberbullying but also has to how both of them can collide. Thank you for taking the time to explain, @Erato!
What do you think is the root cause of mod hate?
I think you've captured in the examples of how mod hate can look like. Most times I think it's due to bad experiences with previous moderators someone has endured or thinking all mods have one aim and that is to remove all sorts of fun, which isn't the case. Another factor could be different modding styles, not to say it's bad since everyone is different but I know what one may expect of one moderator, they expect it from others.
As a member of the community, what do you think you can do to eliminate mod hate? And how can you avoid it in becoming cyberbullying?
Perhaps offer reassurance? Reassurance in the sense of reminding everyone that each individual is different and one person actions shouldn't let you have one mindset on others. I understand it not being easy, but if we take the time to remember everyone experience is different and we shouldn't firsthand put a bad name to someone without getting to know them (but of course still not putting a bad name to them).
Avoiding it into becoming cyberbullying, go through the channels when it comes onto cyberbullying, report if needed and reach out to whatever leaders. There's also forms that one can fill out and hopefully it gets dealt with eventually. But also reaching out to listeners to express how something has left you feeling, without revealing details or the name of the moderator.
@Erato
Omg thanks for making this thread Era! Its really important to talk about it.
1. What do you think is the root cause of mod hate?
I think people often see mods as just people with authority, and that source of power is pretty intimidating. Maybe some of them haven't had a good past interaction with a mod, and of course the rumours that can be spread out in the rooms. Mod hate, is because it causes some restrictions in rooms, though them being for their own safety, it's hard because mods can only do so much. Attention to every important detail can be hard which might make members feel the role is unfair.
2. How does mod hate become cyberbullying?
When someone attacks someone in an online setting constantly and being mean due to past experiences or a misconception that couldn't be cleared.
3. As a member of the community, what do you think you can do to eliminate mod hate? And how can you avoid it in becoming cyberbullying?
First off, not comment while an argument is going on. We can all try to talk about how a mod has to work, its not something they've to just be, they've some role to play and a huge reason why they decided to be a mod in the first place. We can encourage appreciation towards everyone and if some conflict does take place choose to step back and avoid adding fuel to the fire.
4. If you're a mod, how do you handle mod hate?
I've not had mod hate tbh. Like when I'm in room, people are usually really friendly. But if someone does have to handle it, I guess ignoring it and accepting yourself is helpful. Don't give in, hatred is just love behind a wall. I know it's hard but know that you deserve to be respected. Remember your 'why' you became a mod, and if things do get tough, we're all here to support you. Message a group mod leader, or a peer supporter to talk about it.
@Erato Lovely post! It is super well written and organized with incredible insight.
1. What do you think is the root cause of mod hate?
Well, that's a heavy question. The inappropriate actions of certain mods is definitely a factor. Of course, I understand mods may be new/misunderstand a crisis; while they may have the best intentions, there are harmful consequences to their actions. Of course, some people just hate any form of moderation.
2. How does mod hate become cyberbullying?
Sadly, some mods get hate pms. I have also seen spam posts in the forums directed at mods. It can become a chain too, with more people contributing to it, towards all mods or even just certain ones.
3. As a member of the community, what do you think you can do to eliminate mod hate? And how can you avoid it in becoming cyberbullying?
Don't judge all mods the same! Try to have an open dialogue with them. To answer both questions, one can always report such incidents through the appropriate channels (i.e. emailing admin, filling out appropriate forms, etc).
@Erato
it happened once when i was in a group chat... i can say that it was aweful! and i really felt bad for the mod, but we all know and trust our mods, and we love them. they have a big part in making 7 Cups a better and a safer place, so i really appreciate all of them! 
and thank you so much Erato for posting this, i hope everyone gets to read it!
