How Should Staff Handle Arguments Between Members?

[Baw$e]

Every online community will experience disagreements from time to time. While healthy debate can lead to interesting discussions, personal attacks and ongoing arguments can negatively impact the community atmosphere.

As staff, it's important to find the right balance between allowing members to express different opinions and stepping in when discussions become disruptive.

When these situations arise, how do you monitor them? Do you prefer to watch the discussion closely and only step in if rules are broken, or do you intervene early to prevent the situation from escalating? What signs tell you that a disagreement is turning into a problem that requires staff attention?

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Promptly and professionally.

A moderator first should be an investigator by nature.

Jumping to a conclusion without properly investigating the matter at hand will only lead to problems when moderators make the wrong choices on what action to take.

Try to understand what has happened and then take appropriate action.

Don't let the argument turn into a flame-war. That's the main thing!