Worst Problem Member Experiences

[Shawn Gossman]

What have been your worst problem member experiences?

As in, what has been the worst member you've had to ban and why was it so bad?

 

[Dilip]

No tough bans yet. Only troublemakers.

Mostly people who like to moderate when they are not supposed to do so.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Mostly people who like to moderate when they are not supposed to do so.

Armchair moderators.

You got to love them.

So far for me, just spammers. Thanks for the report, btw!

 

[Dilip]

You are welcome

Armchair moderators.

Can't make them vanish

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Can't make them vanish

You really can't. Most people have opinions, and in order to respect them for having their own opinion, you sometimes have to deal with that.

There is a difference in how bad they are, though.

If they get too pushy, they'll only create a toxic environment.

 

[Dilip]

They are everywhere. I have seen them on almost all kinds of forums. When the real moderators get involved and warn them, the next step is mutiny, drama and more.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I have seen them on almost all kinds of forums.

I think historically, forums have always attracted them, right?

 

[Papa Bear]

I think historically, forums have always attracted them, right?

That they do

 

[Elseb]

As my forum has been around since 2002, we've had our fair share of problematic users down the years.
We've had the obvious spammers and trolls who register, spam or cause a bit of havoc and then get banned and are never seen again, think most forums have had at least one of those.
Couple of years ago we had a member who was just very outspoken in his views and he basically ruined the atmosphere, we even had a few long term members leave. He had to be banned eventually.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

As my forum has been around since 2002, we've had our fair share of problematic users down the years.
We've had the obvious spammers and trolls who register, spam or cause a bit of havoc and then get banned and are never seen again, think most forums have had at least one of those.
Couple of years ago we had a member who was just very outspoken in his views and he basically ruined the atmosphere, we even had a few long term members leave. He had to be banned eventually.

I've had a few outspoken members.

Nowadays, I let them stay while I monitor. I'll try to set the mood and tone I want on the forum for everyone. But when they get too obnoxious and don't have any interest in calming down - it's best to stop a toxic member before the community becomes toxic.

 

[Elseb]

I've had a few outspoken members.

Nowadays, I let them stay while I monitor. I'll try to set the mood and tone I want on the forum for everyone. But when they get too obnoxious and don't have any interest in calming down - it's best to stop a toxic member before the community becomes toxic.

Yeah my mistake was that I didn't nip it in the bud quickly enough. I should have spoken to them a while before I did. Its all a learning experience though and a mistake I won't make in future.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Yeah my mistake was that I didn't nip it in the bud quickly enough. I should have spoken to them a while before I did. Its all a learning experience though and a mistake I won't make in future.

We all have to learn somewhere.
I've made many big mistakes with forums and learned from it.
I just try to teach others that's why I love this niche!