Support Forum Deletion Policies

Jill Osborne, ICN FounderOur message boards are meant to be a sanctuary for IC patients in need of sharing and support. Posts that are disrespectful, malicious, hurtful, or detrimental to the well being of others will be immediately deleted. Commercial and product solicitations are not allowed on the ICN web site without prior written approval. Pornographic materials or promotions for pornographic web sites are not allowed at any time.

Why does the ICN delete some messages from it's message boards.

Operating a web site and message boards isn't as easy as it appears. We have more than twenty thousand participants, each with a wide variety of needs, experiences and opinions. We have IC patients who are well adjusted and able to offer support to others. We also have patients who are desperate for information and support. We see patients who have overwhelming personal issues unrelated to their IC, such as divorce or family issues. And, we see IC patients who are in need of both physical and emotional care, due to severe depression, anger or anxiety.

Conflict between people inevitably happens in any internet message board and newsgroup. It is not, however, the norm. In general, nearly all postings are positive, helpful and supportive. However, there are a few individuals out of the thousands that we see each month, who consistently create conflict. Their behavior requires firm guidelines.

It is also important to understand the dynamics of a health related discussion board. Patients in pain are more vulnerable. Sometimes they forget our golden rule of "debate the message, not the morality or integrity of the author." It is inevitable that there will be times when pain and frustration can result in unintentional or inappropriate postings (we all do this), or a message may be misinterpreted by others. When conflict happens, our goal is to step in and remove offending posts, if needed.

How did this first begin? What initiated this policy?

The first time that we actively stepped in and deleted posts was in the Spring of 1998. I received a late evening telephone call from an ICN volunteer who alerted me to hurtful postings by one IC patient to another IC patient. I immediately went on-line and observed a discussion (message string) about horses that escalated to the most hurtful, malicious, scathing postings I had seen in five years of online IC activities.

For the first time in the history of the ICN, we chose to delete these messages. A patient was being needlessly and insensitively attacked by another and those who observed the dispute were concerned and upset. Sadly, just months later, the young patient who was attacked (Leuca) suffered an asthma attack while driving and died in a car crash. I am so glad that I fought for her and protected her when she was alive for none of us dreamed that we would lose her just months later.

The ICN stands firmly by its policy to delete offending messages because we learned from that experience. We learned that if an IC patient had only months to live, that those final months should be filled with support, not controversy, and love, not hatred. There is no room for attacks on the ICN message boards and we will act decisively and firmly to remove posts which we feel are inappropriate to our purpose and goal.

What types of messages are deleted? What is the ICN deletion policy?

The ICN team of staff, supermoderators and moderators have deleted messages which have:

  • offered inappropriate medical advice (remember, no patient can nor should give direct medical advice - only a personal physician can do this.)
  • offered malicious, disrespectful or hurtful comments about others
  • offered commercial solicitations for products
  • offered information that was pornographic in nature
  • offered comments intended to generate controversy
  • offered comments that could generate legal liability for our web site
  • encouraged suicidal behavior.

Who determines which postings will be deleted?

ICN Moderators and Supermoderators have the option of deleting a message from their boards which they feel are inappropriate. ICNDonna and I have access to the board control panels and occasionally delete posts as requested by board volunteers. In addition, individual ICN participants may request, at any time, that posts be deleted which they find offensive. To insure prompt attention, participants MUST bring this to our attention by phone or e-mail.

Can you delete just one reply to a message or must you delete the whole string?

Message strings containing any offending content or post are subject to deletion. Experience has shown us that once an inappropriate response has been posted, more will follow. This means that if you post a nice response, but someone after you "loses it," we usually have no choice but to delete the whole string. Please do not take this personally.

If my post is deleted, who should I talk with to find out why?

If you have a post that has been deleted and would like to know the reasons why, please feel free to contact ICNDonna by private message or myself. Click here for contact information!

How does the ICN deal with repeated violations by one individual.

Posting in the ICN message boards is a privilege we offer, at no cost, to our participants. If an individual repeatedly violates the guidelines of the ICN, that person will be advised, by private email that future postings must be supportive in nature. Continued abuse may result in being banned from ICN message boards through the use of an IP blocker. Posting privileges will be revoked to those who repeatedly violate our goals, guidelines and spirit of support.

 

IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS POLICY, I WELCOME YOUR CONFIDENTIAL FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS. PLEASE CONTACT ICNMGRJILL BY PHONE (707)538-9442 OR EMAIL jill@ic-network.com


Updated & Revised: January 2008 - JHO