Notice: I am am aware that there is already a sentence about this in the CGs. I'm suggesting to make it more than a sentence as publicly reporting is not allowed.

Please use the “Report” button rather than engaging in fights, spreading rumors about other people’s behavior, or otherwise responding to any inappropriate content

Onto the topic…

I ask you. How many times have you seen a public report comment? What about a project that spreads awareness of an instance inappropriate behavior? Or how about a “Mass Report” studio? You've probably seen at least one of them. These are all instances of “public reporting.” Which isn't allowed. I am suggesting for the community guidelines to have a bew section which better explains what publicly reporting is rather than just a sentence that sprinkles over it. It's like if you saw someone committing crime and you told everyone but not the police.
Here's my idea:

Keep your reports private
The only people that should be told about inappropriate behavior on the site is the Scratch Team. Please keep all reports to the “report” button rather than telling others to report something or telling people that their behavior is breaking these guidelines.

Please give constructive feedback.

Good Idea this will make there be less comments and forum posts about someone doing something wrong.

bump

Bump

I honestly think the current message does the job, it does explain that you should use the report button instead of gossip etc, and I think that is all what is needed.

1Oaktree2 wrote:

The only people that should be told about inappropriate behavior on the site is the Scratch Team.

Whilst it does say on the next line to use the report button, someone could misinterpret this as “publicly report on Scratch Team members profiles”. Also, making a section on this makes the guidelines less laconic. Being brief is important in guidelines so users will actually read them.

dertermenter wrote:

I honestly think the current message does the job, it does explain that you should use the report button instead of gossip etc, and I think that is all what is needed.

1Oaktree2 wrote:

The only people that should be told about inappropriate behavior on the site is the Scratch Team.

Whilst it does say on the next line to use the report button, someone could misinterpret this as “publicly report on Scratch Team members profiles”. Another problem I have with your message is that it is slightly informal. Finally, making a section on this makes the guidelines less laconic. Being brief is important in guidelines so users will actually read them.

Yeah, but only a sentence explains this that people clearly skip over. Public reporting is still a huge problem. Now the misinterpretation bit. A whole guidelines explaining why you shouldn't publicly report. How is this going to encourage people to do that? Your next point: formality. This point isn't valid. First, I used the same kind of way that the guidelines do to speak. I explained exactly what people should be doing: “Please keep all reports to the “report” button rather than telling others to report something or telling people that their behavior is breaking these guidelines.”

1Oaktree2 wrote:

. A whole guidelines explaining why you shouldn't publicly report. How is this going to encourage people to do that?

1Oaktree2 wrote:

The only people that should be told about inappropriate behavior on the site is the Scratch Team.

This does not say what way you should tell the ST, contact us and reporting is fine, but publicly reporting is not. It makes it sound like there is an exception (reporting to the Scratch Team in any way is good, meaning the guidelines below do not follow!)

1Oaktree2 wrote:

Your next point: formality. This point isn't valid. First, I used the same kind of way that the guidelines do to speak. I explained exactly what people should be doing: “Please keep all reports to the “report” button rather than telling others to report something or telling people that their behaviour is breaking these guidelines.”

Ok, after reading it again, I agree, especially since “report” is quoted in the current guidelines. I apologise for this.

dertermenter wrote:

1Oaktree2 wrote:

. A whole guidelines explaining why you shouldn't publicly report. How is this going to encourage people to do that?

1Oaktree2 wrote:

The only people that should be told about inappropriate behavior on the site is the Scratch Team.

This does not say what way you should tell the ST, contact us and reporting is fine, but publicly reporting is not. It makes it sound like there is an exception (reporting to the Scratch Team in any way is good, meaning the guidelines below do not follow!)

That makes more sense. Do you have any idea of how the guideline could be edited to make that more clear?

I agree, although the guidelines currently say to not spread rumors, it isn't clearly said. If users knew that publicly reporting wasn't allowed, there would be less cases of “@example stole my project! Report them! (link to copied project)” and less users reporting users on Scratch Team member's profiles.
Note: I am not reporting anyone, I am using “example” as an example here.

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