Block feature abuse
today, I came onto 7cups hoping to get some help with Exercise Motivation. I was speedily joined by a listener, which I was quite relieved for. at some point in our conversation, the listener said "walking my dog helps me begin my journey :) " then shortly afterwards, I was blocked.
maybe she accidentally blocked me. but regardess, I felt very hurt. one thing i was grateful for as the ability to rate her during the conversation. this is because after I'm blocked, I can no longer rate the blocker or my rating would be ignored.
and this event did not happen only today. but many times, I come into this site with the intent to talk about my issues, but come out with more issues than I came in with. this has happened to a point where I no longer feel safe coming into this website for help.
I'm not questioning the importance of the Block feature for listeners. but I'm questioning its importance for new listeners who are inexperienced and might abuse it, esecially if people come out the conversations with more issues and hurt than these same people came in with.
i'm not much of a fan of the Block feature including the person's inability to rate the listener after being blocked, and the listener suddenly vanishing from the conversation select menu.
i wanted to send an email to the 7cups staff about this listener's action, but I find myself doing that quite often and now my reports feel vain. I might not use this website for a while until some measure is made to address this issue, because I don't want to come out of this website with more issues than I came into it wth. it's disheartening and painful.
@strongnight7509 added to my internal list of abusable features (that actually impact users).
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn <internal discussions about leniency awareness for new users and safe point-hoarding by old ones>
sometimes i worry i look crazed dottering around these forums :D
oh, dear, there's someone here *and they're on my team* good morning, lovely! as you can see, the unicorn has been bothered and will be again somewhere down the line when i get around to putting together a much larger report. ^-^'
but i digress and am still asleep.
thank you for bringing this up and we're happy to have you here helping make this site the most splendiferous place on the innarwebs! it's average people like us who make the place go 'round, after all. <3
look forward to seeing you around the forums, dear ^-^
I guess next time I should just go to the "Browser Listeners" section as recommended and handpick a good listener. But yeah. sometimes I forget to do that.
Hi there,
I'm so sorry to hear you've had this experience at all, let alone multiple times - that's so unacceptable.
Please continue to report these listeners if you can because as you point out, abuse of the block button is very hurtful & harmful. It simply shouldn't happen.
I hope the search function (verified listeners with a purple tick next to their name have been vetted for quality by mentors can be a good shout) helps you find a great listener to connect with as what you have to say is important & you deserve to be heard.
I very much hope you feel able to try again & have a positive experience this time - we really do respect you & want you here! Take good care of yourself for now 😊
@strongnight7509 - I think you make a good point. We keep finding things indicating to us that we need to set up more of a privilege system and unlock some features over time as people earn them (cc @laura). One challenge is that legit blocking is sometimes needed when the member of guest is hostile, harassing, trolling, bullying, etc. But I hear what you're saying and I think it bears further discussion.