Moderation Guidelines

Tellmi is a safe digital space where young people can anonymously post questions, or feelings, and provide each other with useful advice and support. 

When anyone submits a post or reply it is first checked by a moderator. The moderators don’t judge the quality of the post, or the reply, they are simply checking that it doesn’t contain anything that we don’t permit. If a moderator rejects the post or reply, the user will receive a short message to explain why. Often, all it needs is a small change to be posted.

To keep our users feeling safe and supported we have a clear list of things that we won’t publish. We may also consider posts on an individual basis that may be more nuanced. Users are able to report any post, reply or user in the app if they feel there’s something that shouldn’t be there. 

Tellmi is an educational app and we promote educational discussion. We recognise people may have different views on things and we endeavour to stay neutral in facilitating these discussions. 

Occasionally we notice community members using Tellmi in a way that may be harmful to themselves or others. Tellmi’s mission is to support as many people as possible however, we understand that sometimes we may not be the most appropriate service. Where this is the case, we will signpost and support a community member to seek alternative options.

On rare occasions, if a community member is using Tellmi in a way that's harmful to themselves or others, we may temporarily suspend their account, the length of which will be at our discretion.

Content that we won’t publish

Safeguarding

Tellmi is not a crisis or emergency service. If a post suggests that a user might be at risk of harm to themselves or others, we may choose not to publish the post. In this case, in accordance with our safeguarding policy, we will send a message with guidance on how the user can get help. All resource content is delivered in an age appropriate manner.

Personal Information

To keep users safe we don’t allow posts which might reveal their real world identity. If a user provides or asks for details that might let someone identify them in real life, for example a name, location, social media account, birthday etc. we can't let it through.

Offensive/Bullying

Moderation will withhold posts/replies that include racially offensive, homophobic, threatening or aggressive comments.
Moderation will also withhold posts that are purposely intimidating. Bullying will not be tolerated.

Explicit

Any posts that contain crude, or sexually explicit language and graphic descriptions of sexual acts will not be published. Posts that are sexually suggestive will also be rejected. While it is okay to ask for legitimate sex and relationships advice, asking for advice on how to carry out sexual acts is not permitted.

Promoting Harmful Behaviour

We do not approve any posts or replies which we judge promote harmful behaviour, this includes wishing harm on others, or suicidal ideation, e.g. thoughts about wanting to die, or not be here, and descriptions of graphic self-harm. Posts about the impact of self-harm can be useful but moderators do not publish any messages that encourage or glamorise self-harm. Ultimately, these issues are complex to deal with and our peer community is not equipped to provide that level of support. Such posts may also make other users very worried about the poster. Tellmi isn’t set up to provide crisis support but there are lots of services that can. 

Body image and diet

We understand that users may have concerns about their body or appearance that they would like help with, however, posts that detail weight loss strategies or dangerous dietary behaviours will not be published because they promote harmful behaviours. 

The post or reply isn't right for Tellmi

Tellmi is a supportive community. We are not a social media site and our counsellors may feel some topics are not appropriate. If we feel posts or replies sound judgemental or unhelpful we will ask users to reword them. Similarly, any messages that encourage illegal activity or criminal behavior will not be published

Unclear or no content

If a post is garbled, unclear or makes no sense we will ask the user to reword it and resubmit it. If a post contains slang that might be difficult for our moderators to understand, we may have to ask the user to explain it before we can let it through.

Posts that are not in English

Tellmi is currently only available in English and can not accept posts that are submitted in any other language and so will not be published.