Back Seat Modding
I. What is backseat modding?
a. Backseat modding is when a user acts like a moderator or tells a moderator how to do their job.
b. For example, if a user makes a thread that addresses the whole forum in a moderator fashion. Such as making a thread that a moderator would normally make.
c. For example, telling a user who is need of help: “Just PM me and I can help you”.
II. How do I prevent myself from breaking this rule?
a. Think to yourself before you post or make a thread, “is this something a moderator would do?”
b. If you are telling a user “Just PM me and I can help you,” make sure you add in: “Just PM me OR a moderator and we can help you.”
c. If you are undecided if you are backseat modding, then just PM a mod and ask. We would rather help you out, then you actually break this rule.
III. Are there any tips I can use?
a. Make sure you aren’t taking away a moderators job. Think before you do something, “Is this something a moderator would normally do?”
b. Just be a user! Have fun, and just post and make threads. Don’t worry about the forum, that’s a moderators job!
IV. But I really want to help out, what do I do?
a. There are many ways that you can help out, that won’t be considered backseat modding.
b. Such as, reporting posts, PMing a moderator if someone is breaking a rule OR:
c. In a hypothetical case:
USER1: Did anyone watch House last week?
USER2: afdjflajfdlfajfdljfafdlf
USER3: User2, please don’t spam. And no, I didn’t watch house. Was it a good episode?
In this case, tell the user not to spam or break a rule.
AND still reply to the topic! Like I said, be a user!
Thank you,
Admin
