As a SE site gains popularity, so does the need to mute (vice ban or delete) members for malicious content.

Description:

When a members' post, comment, etc is not within the guidelines of acceptable community standards, instead of deleting that member, they could be penalized for a select time period. A muting function (as administered by an admin or moderator) would allow said member to view posts and other areas as normal, however, their ability to post, react, comment, reply (or other form of engagement) is restricted.

Feature Request:

The request is to add the option for admins/moderators to mute members for select time periods.

If unable to allow the time period field to be open for single or double digit input (ie: 3 days, 7 days, 30 days), then a hard coded (radio button perhaps) time period would work.

Benefits:

The benefits include the ability to maintain an environment as desired by the community, as well as to assist in the reduction of malicious content and other member abuse (bullying, etc).

This feature is beneficial for my SE as well. Maybe this can be added into member level settings. Say if the level is moderator, admin can pick the option if they allowed to ban a member. When the banned member is logged in, when will be presented with a message as to why she or she was banned and until when the ban will be lifted. To make it simple, banned members are not allowed to do anything on the site

1. Would the moderator "flag" a user for ban? This flagged member would show in admin for the admin to then determine whether the user gets banned or not.

1A. To me, a "Moderator" is equally empowered as an "Admin" to administer *daily tasks* as needed. Its my thought that a proper and popular SE site should have adequate staffing to support it.

With that being said, "members" are currently able to "report" posts.
When an Admin or Moderator views "abuse reports", "member" reported content is visible and action is available.

Its within that area that reported content is reviewed by the staff (Admins and Moderators) and actions are carried out. See image.

2. That begs the question, would there be an input box for the moderator to explain why this member is flagged? I would assume the moderator would attach screenshots with this.

2A. If a member requires "muting", no explanation by staff is necessary. As this action is only allowed by trusted Moderators and Admins, there is no further justification needed.

Retaining of the abuse reports log is sufficient.

3. Would the flagged member be on a temporary "hold" status with no posting until an admin determines whether this member is banned or not?

3A. The current function in terms of the offended user is great. They "report post" and that post is hidden from them.

3B. The reported member would be allowed full functionality during the "review phase". Meaning they are not on a temporary hold. The reported content may turn out to be fraudulent and the like, hence no reason to penalize the reported member for nothing (at this point).

4. Would a moderator be able to ban the user themselves if number 1 is a "no"?

4A. Yes.

5. Does the member get a notice of this in their inbox and email? If so, what does that notice include?

5A. A muted member will realize that their functionality is limited on their own.
The desired functionality of muting only restricts their ability to post, comment, react, and the like, however, they may still use the site.

If a muted member is "confused" as to why they are muted, they will contact the staff directly.

6. Can the member submit a request to unban to the admin?

6A. If a muted member is "confused" as to why they are muted, they will contact the staff directly.

Thank you!

Thank you. I did not realize that Moderators were limited this way. However, appointing moderators to "Admins" is easy enough :-)

Definitely :-) My reference for all of this is very active and large Facebook Group (60K+ members with activity every second of the day and night). As "Moderators" there, we have "Admin" powers (ability to mute members, block, delete, add new members, decline new member applications, etc as needed). Im learning how you guys (SE) do things and your terminology. I've learned a ton from you so far! Thank you!