Community Guidelines

Our Mission

Bantr exists to foster respectful, engaging debates where diverse perspectives can be heard and challenged. We believe in the power of civil discourse to expand minds and build understanding across differences.

Core Principles

1. Respect & Civility

Disagree with ideas, not people. Personal attacks, harassment, and bullying have no place on Bantr.

• Attack arguments, not individuals
• Use respectful language even when disagreeing strongly
• Acknowledge valid points from opposing views
• No name-calling, insults, or personal attacks

2. Good Faith Participation

Engage honestly and sincerely. Bad faith tactics undermine productive debate.

• Present arguments honestly and accurately
• Cite sources when making factual claims
• Don't strawman or misrepresent opposing views
• Be willing to change your mind when presented with evidence

3. Stay On Topic

Keep debates focused and productive.

• Stick to the debate topic
• Avoid derailing with unrelated issues
• Use appropriate channels for off-topic discussion

Prohibited Content

The following content is not permitted on Bantr:

Hate Speech & Discrimination

• Content that promotes hatred or violence based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
• Slurs, epithets, or derogatory language targeting protected groups

Harassment & Threats

• Targeted harassment of individuals or groups
• Threats of violence or harm
• Doxxing (sharing private personal information)
• Coordinated harassment campaigns

Misinformation

• Deliberate spread of false information
• Conspiracy theories lacking credible evidence
• Medical misinformation that could cause harm

Spam & Manipulation

• Spam, scams, or unsolicited advertising
• Vote manipulation or brigading
• Creating multiple accounts to evade bans

Illegal Content

• Content that violates local, state, or federal laws
• Content involving minors in harmful situations
• Copyright infringement

Moderation & Enforcement

Violations of these guidelines may result in:

• Warning: First-time minor violations
• Temporary Suspension: Repeated minor violations or single serious violation
• Permanent Ban: Severe violations, repeated offenses, or ban evasion

Moderators review reports and make decisions based on context. We aim to be fair and consistent, but recognize that moderation requires judgment calls.

Reporting Violations

If you see content that violates these guidelines:

• Use the report button on the offending content
• Provide context about why it violates guidelines
• Don't engage with trolls or rule-breakers—report and move on
• For urgent safety concerns, contact us immediately

Appeals

If you believe you were suspended or banned in error, you may appeal by contacting our moderation team. Include your username and a brief explanation of why you believe the decision was incorrect.

Best Practices for Great Debates

• Listen actively and try to understand opposing viewpoints
• Use "I" statements to express your perspective
• Ask clarifying questions before assuming intent
• Provide evidence and sources for claims
• Acknowledge when you don't know something
• Be willing to say "that's a good point" when it is
• Take breaks if discussions become heated
• Remember there's a human behind every username

Contact

Questions about these guidelines? Contact us at:

Email: support@bantr.online