Community Guidelines

Purpose

Overview of the guidelines

Community guidelines establish the expectations for how participants interact within a given space. They define what is considered acceptable behavior, outline the rights of users, and set the ground rules that help maintain a safe, respectful, and productive environment. By clarifying what is allowed and what is not, guidelines reduce ambiguity and create a shared understanding that supports constructive dialogue and collaboration.

Objectives and outcomes

• Promote safe, inclusive, and constructive participation for all members.
• Encourage civil discourse and workplaces that value diverse perspectives while limiting harm.
• Provide clear, fair processes for reporting, moderation, and resolution.
• Protect personal data and preserve user privacy within interactions.
• Support marginalized or vulnerable groups to participate without fear of retribution or harassment.

Scope

Who must follow the guidelines

The guidelines apply to everyone who engages in the community ecosystem. This includes users, contributors, moderators, administrators, volunteers, contractors, partners, and guests in official spaces. All participants share responsibility for maintaining the community’s safety and integrity, regardless of role or tenure.

Where guidelines apply (platforms, forums, channels)

Guidelines cover all channels where community interactions take place, including official websites, forums, social channels, chat rooms, live events, and partner platforms hosting community conversations. They also apply to user-generated content, comments, messages, and any materials linked to or distributed through these spaces.

Core Principles

Safety and well-being

Every participant should feel safe to express themselves without fear of harm. The guidelines emphasize preventing abuse, intimidation, and exploitation. Safety includes protecting users from physical and emotional harm, as well as safeguarding mental health by avoiding triggering content where possible and providing support resources when needed.

Respect and civility

Discussions should be conducted with courtesy and humility. Disagreements are welcome when expressed respectfully, with a focus on ideas rather than personal attacks. Respect for others’ time, boundaries, and dignity is fundamental to a functioning community.

Inclusion and accessibility

The community welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds and abilities. The guidelines promote equal access to participation, equitable representation, and removal of barriers that exclude or marginalize individuals based on characteristics such as race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status.

Privacy and data protection

Participants expect their personal information to be handled responsibly. The guidelines establish limits on data collection, retention, and sharing, and require transparent handling of data to protect user privacy while enabling effective moderation and safety measures.

User Conduct

Expected behavior

Users are encouraged to engage in constructive, relevant, and lawful interactions. Expected behavior includes listening before responding, citing sources when making claims, using respectful language, and offering help or clarification when appropriate. Participation should contribute to the community’s purposes and refrain from disrupting discussions unnecessarily.

Prohibited behavior

The guidelines prohibit behaviors that undermine safety or respectful discourse. This includes harassment, doxxing, personal attacks, trolling, coercion, intimidation, impersonation, non-consensual sharing of private information, and actions that degrade the dignity or security of others. Content that promotes or facilitates illegal activity may be removed and individuals may face sanctions.

Prohibited Content

Hate speech and harassment

Content that targets individuals or groups based on protected characteristics—such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality—should be avoided. Harassment and sustained abusive behavior are not tolerated, and responses should be redirected toward constructive engagement rather than personal attacks.

Violent or criminal activity

Content that advocates, portrays, or facilitates violence or illegal activities is prohibited. This includes providing instructions for wrongdoing, facilitating harm, or promoting violent ideologies in a manner that could endanger others.

Misinformation and disinformation

Unverified or false information that could cause real-world harm should be avoided. When sharing claims, users should provide credible sources, context, and disclaimers where appropriate. Moderation may remove or flag content that materially misleads participants about critical issues.

Moderation & Enforcement

Moderation process

Moderation begins with a review of reported content or behavior. Trained moderators assess context, intent, and impact, and determine whether a guideline violation occurred. Decisions are guided by documented policies, with consideration given to user history and the severity of the issue. In some cases, automatic safeguards or escalation pathways may apply.

Sanctions and corrective actions

Sanctions range from warnings and content removals to temporary suspensions or permanent bans, depending on the violation’s nature and frequency. Deterrence, education, and remediation are prioritized, and sanctions aim to be proportionate, transparent, and reversible where appropriate.

Transparency and accountability

Moderation processes strive for openness where possible. Public dashboards or periodic summaries may share high-level outcomes, and the community should have a clear path to understand decisions. Where feasible, moderators provide rationale and offer avenues for review or appeal.

Reporting & Appeals

How to report

Users can report concerns through official channels such as a “Report” feature, a dedicated support form, or direct contact with moderators. Reports should include the relevant content, timestamps, and any supporting context to help with swift review.

Investigation timelines

Investigations are prioritized by urgency and complexity. Typical timelines aim for timely resolution, with updates provided at key milestones. In urgent cases involving safety risk, responses are accelerated to address immediate concerns.

Appeal procedures

If a user disagrees with a moderation decision, they may file an appeal within a defined window. Appeals are reviewed by an independent or higher-level team, and outcomes are communicated with an explanation. The process emphasizes fairness, privacy, and the opportunity for learning and correction where warranted.

Privacy & Safety

Data collection and usage

The collection of personal data is limited to what is necessary for moderation, safety, and improving the community experience. Data is stored securely, access is restricted, and retention periods align with legal obligations and policy requirements. Users have rights to access and control their information where applicable.

Safety for at-risk groups

Special protections apply to at-risk groups, including minors, survivors of harm, or communities facing discrimination. Additional safeguards may include heightened moderation, safe reporting channels, and resources to support well-being and security.

Anonymity options

Where possible, participants can use pseudonyms or display names to protect identity. Settings may allow limited exposure of profile information, and options exist to minimize data sharing without impacting the community’s safety and integrity.

Accessibility & Inclusion

Accessible language and formatting

Content should use plain language and clear structure. Headings, short paragraphs, and scannable layouts help users with varying literacy levels and cognitive needs. Avoid jargon unless clearly explained, and provide glossaries when necessary.

Multilingual support

Where feasible, community materials are available in multiple languages, or provide access to translation support. This reduces language barriers and fosters broader participation. Community members are encouraged to contribute translations where permitted by policy.

Accommodations for disabilities

Accommodations include captions and transcripts for audio-visual content, screen-reader compatibility, and accessible moderation interfaces. The aim is to enable full participation by people with diverse abilities and needs.

Review & Updates

Regular review schedule

Guidelines are revisited on a defined schedule to remain relevant with evolving platform features, laws, and community needs. Reviews consider new risks, technologies, and cultural shifts to maintain effectiveness.

Stakeholder feedback

Feedback from users, moderators, partners, and experts informs updates. Public channels for suggestions help ensure the guidelines reflect real-world experiences and expectations.

Version history

All revisions are documented with version numbers, dates, and summaries of changes. This history supports transparency and helps users understand how the guidelines have evolved over time.

Resources & Training

Guides for users

Practical resources help users understand how to engage safely and productively. Quick-start guides, safety tips, and best-practice checklists support consistent behavior across spaces.

Moderator training materials

Moderators receive ongoing training on neutrality, de-escalation techniques, abuse recognition, cultural sensitivity, and privacy practices. Scenario-based exercises and regular refreshers help maintain high moderation standards.

Trusted Source Insight

Source: https://unesdoc.unesco.org

Trusted Summary: UNESCO emphasizes education for peace and rights, digital literacy, and inclusive participation to build safe online communities. Community guidelines should articulate clear expectations and fair enforcement, paired with accessible resources. They should support marginalized groups and promote respectful digital citizenship.