It really doesn't take a genius to figure out why that could end terribly, although I am OK with removing mentions of the topic, as it is still a very scary and upsetting topic.

Agreed. They literally got no place to vent and here's Scratch saying that depression and sh topics is not allowed. Like literally 1 out of 8 people have depression

Although I do see the ST’s reasoning that this is a kid’s site and that such topics are very painful and the ST wants to keep the site happy and cheerful, is it really worth the cost of what could happen?

Okay, context really matters here. (And everywhere I suppose)

This should be okay:

I’ve been having a really hard time at home and am starting to have suicidal thoughts. I’m depressed, and really just want a friend.

This (obviously) isn’t okay:

Commit suicide you bozo.

The Scratch Team do, and should, remove suicide/self-harm comments since it is an extremely sensitive and scary topic - too sensitive and scary for a children's coding platform. When people get alerted for mentioning/saying they want to do suicide/self-harm, they say why it broke the Community Guidelines (too sensitive/scary topic) but also provide online places where people can talk so they don't have these thoughts.

If they continue to talk about suicide, they may get banned as they are continually breaking the Community Guidelines with prior warnings. I believe the current system is good and fair due to this.

You have to take into account that children as young as 5-6 see this site and the comments on it.

dertermenter wrote:

The Scratch Team do, and should, remove suicide/self-harm comments since it is an extremely sensitive and scary topic - too sensitive and scary for a children's coding platform.

I agree with removing them - it is a very upsetting topic.

dertermenter wrote:

When people get alerted for mentioning/saying they want to do suicide/self-harm, they say why it broke the Community Guidelines (too sensitive/scary topic) but also provide online places where people can talk so they don't have these thoughts.

Alternatively, as they currently do, they ban them instantly. I know of at least 1 recent case where this is what happened.

dertermenter wrote:

If they continue to talk about suicide, they may get banned as they are continually breaking the Community Guidelines with prior warnings.

I believe there really shouldn't be bans unless the topic is brought up too much and even then they should be temporary bans.

coder2045 wrote:

You have to take into account that children as young as 5-6 see this site and the comments on it.

While I agree with removing mentions of it, I do not agree with banning people for mentioning it.

-iviedwall- wrote:

Like literally 1 out of 8 people have depression

I'm not sure about this. What if the person being blocked encourages them to ask their parents to send an appeal email, which lets them see the ban reason? That could help them.

Trying to discuss a serious mental health issue like suicide on a website mostly used by kids is not the way to get the help they need and can traumatize other Scratchers. So this suggestion is rejected.