CS is not a replacement for professional help where professional help is needed. We understand that that is not always easy or even possible, but plenty of resources have been supplied on this thread. I don't think we need any further discussion on this matter, so please try to keep posts relevant directly to the new rule.
Additionally, I am seeing a lot of posts being disrespectful or downright rude to those with trauma. That is not the purpose of this rule and not a welcome attitude on CS.
miosha wrote:i'm still confused how this is suddenly an issue. i've had it up for AGES and never had anything wrong happen, apparently until now when i had to take it down.
As explained in the first post, this is not suddenly a new issue. We have been facing problems moderating DNI lists for months. We cannot feasibly continue moderating them as the situation was, which is why a new rule has been made.
Jessica Rabbit wrote:I feel like this whole conversation of "Block and be done!" is a little contradictory. The whole point is to not have someone interact in the first place. It is necessary sometimes, but just blocking everyone who falls under someone's discomforts is easier said than done.
DNIs seem stupid to some, and useful to others. They don't work for some; and they work wonders for others. That's the internet. No one is going to agree unanimously to any one topic. The point is that you can decide if you want to participate in something or not.
Rules on CS are already tight. Especially since the offsite rule, which was in good intent, it's been hard to interact in any CS community without being kicked for something small. People redo their profiles both on-site and off, it gets difficult to include any important basic info about yourself here or off-site (Discord is the main example that comes to mind), and this rule is only going to make that harder.
People are going to be harassed with or without a DNI list. People are going to dislike you and/or your interests, whether you list what makes you uncomfortable or not. At the end of the day, you're targeted by someone (usually, not always) who has opposing beliefs. If you have a certain character as your profile picture, someone could easily make fun of you for being in that fandom. It doesn't take a list for bullies to bully you.
Just because someone doesn't care about someone's DNI list doesn't mean people should erase them. That shouldn't be a deciding factor in the argument. If someone ignores a DNI and the person finds out, they need to block and move on, not take out their list as a whole that could very well be a useful tool for them.
Whether you understand or not, some people simply have triggers and discomforts that they cannot work around right now. I myself have a few due to mental health issues and trauma; therapy is not something you can put a timer on, and not everyone gets the privilege of getting help. A lot of people, especially kids, seek comfort online when this is the case. It isn't the safest, but it's all some people have, especially in the age of COVID. If someone wants to have a list, why does it matter? Most DNI lists are there to prevent breakdowns, extreme discomfort, etc. in a space people deem safe. It doesn't make sense to bring up the "real world" argument, because for many it's simply a way of keeping a safe space safe. Chicken Smoothie is pushed as a safe, family friendly site filled with artists, cute pets, and a kind community. People want to feel safe in a time where safety is not easy to find for all. I don't see why we can't just keep things the way they were; I genuinely cannot see how this is going to change anything except for the comfort of those who thought DNI lists were annoying to see.
I'm sorry if my tone seemed off in any of this, it's hard for me to emit tone over text. Of course we'll have to respect the rule as long as it's in place; I really just don't think it will change anything.
The fact of the matter is that in our moderating experience, having a DNI does not necessarily prevent anyone from interacting with you in the first place.
The reason for the rule is less about whether or not DNI lists work. The reason is that when they don't work, it puts users directly in danger. Yes, there will continue to be cases of harassment even without this rule, which will be dealt with - that being said, these lists are directly putting the safety of users in jeopardy. It would be irresponsible to allow that to go on.
As I mentioned in my above reply, we cannot simply allow things to go on as they are
because the situation has become unsafe. Most users may not see that going on, but that doesn't mean it isn't happening behind the scenes. As Simon mentioned, these rules do not come out of thin air - they are a result of moderating scenarios where it is clear that they have made people unsafe.
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