ReadUp.Social Moderator Code

Guidelines and principles for community moderators

Last updated: September 4, 2025

Core Principles

Fairness

Apply rules consistently and without bias

Transparency

Be clear about decisions and reasoning

Community First

Prioritize community health and growth

Collaboration

Work together with users and other moderators

Moderator Responsibilities

🛡️ Content Moderation

  • • Review reported content promptly and fairly
  • • Remove content that violates community or platform rules
  • • Apply appropriate enforcement actions (warnings, bans, etc.)
  • • Document moderation decisions for transparency

👥 Community Building

  • • Foster positive discussions and engagement
  • • Welcome new community members
  • • Encourage quality content and meaningful participation
  • • Organize community events and initiatives

📋 Rule Management

  • • Maintain clear and fair community rules
  • • Update rules as the community evolves
  • • Ensure rules align with platform policies
  • • Communicate rule changes to the community

🤝 User Support

  • • Respond to user questions and concerns
  • • Provide guidance on community participation
  • • Handle appeals and disputes fairly
  • • Escalate complex issues to platform administrators

Best Practices

Decision Making

✅ Do:
  • • Consider context and intent behind user actions
  • • Give warnings before bans when appropriate
  • • Document your reasoning for major decisions
  • • Consult with other moderators on difficult cases
❌ Don't:
  • • Make decisions based on personal opinions or bias
  • • Act impulsively without considering consequences
  • • Abuse moderator powers for personal gain
  • • Ignore user appeals or feedback

Communication Guidelines

Professional

Maintain professional tone

Even when dealing with difficult users, remain courteous and professional

Clear

Explain decisions clearly

Help users understand why actions were taken and how to avoid future issues

Timely

Respond in reasonable time

Address reports and appeals promptly to maintain community trust

Moderator Tools and Powers

Available Actions

Remove Posts/Comments
Immediate
Issue Warnings
Educational
Temporary Bans
1-30 days
Permanent Bans
Severe cases

Special Privileges

Pin Important Posts
Community
Edit Community Info
Settings
Manage Join Requests
Restricted
Add/Remove Moderators
Admin only

Escalation and Support

When to Escalate

  • • Content that may violate platform-wide policies
  • • Threats of violence or illegal activity
  • • Suspected ban evasion or multiple accounts
  • • Technical issues with moderation tools
  • • Disputes between moderators

Support Resources

  • • Platform administrators for policy questions
  • • Other moderators in your community
  • • Help documentation for guidance
  • • Moderator community forums (coming soon)

Moderator Accountability

Code Violations

Moderators who consistently violate this code may face removal from their position. Serious violations include:

  • • Abuse of moderator powers for personal benefit
  • • Discrimination or bias in moderation decisions
  • • Failure to respond to community needs
  • • Violating user privacy or platform policies

Remember: Being a moderator is a privilege that comes with responsibility. Your actions directly impact the community's health and growth.