Suspending and Banning Users

There are various ways to restrict or remove users on Discord, but we use two — suspending and banning:

• When you suspend a user, they remain a member of the server, but they can’t see or type in any of the server’s channels. If they go through the registration process again then they can get back in, so this is not a permanent solution.

• When you ban a user, they are removed from the server and prevented from returning.

Suspending Users

Reasons to suspend a user:

• You need to immediately stop them from interacting on the channel while you take or consider some other action.

• You have been DMing them over an issue that needs to be resolved and they aren’t responding.

To suspend a user, you remove the “Members” role from their account. That will remove access to the channels.

• If you are on a desktop computer, click on their username in the chat window and click the “x” next to “Members” under “Roles.” The “Member” role will disappear and they’ll be blocked from seeing the channel until you restore it.

• On mobile, long press on their user name in the chat window, and select “Manage Users.” Uncheck the “Members” role.

To reinstate them:

• If you are on a desktop computer, click on their username in the chat window and click the “+” under “Roles,” and select “members” from the pop-up window.

• On mobile, long press on their user name in the chat window, and select “Manage Users.” Re-select the “Members” role.

Again, if they go back to the Welcome channel and re-enter from there, they can restore their access again, so this is just a short term solution. If they are persistent in causing problems, then it’s time to consider a ban.

Banning Users

You should ban users reluctantly. It’s an action of last resort. But let’s deal with the easy case first: if they are a straight-up troll then don’t bother reaching out, don’t argue, just ban them and know you did a good thing.

Banning Good Faith Users

Remember that good faith users are there because they are quitting and came for help, but for some reason are not a fit for the group. They don’t follow the rules and have no intention to, they are rude with other users, or they can’t stay on topic after multiple warnings.

So it doesn’t devolve into chaos, the live chat format is much more restrictive than the subreddit, and when we have to ban someone for not living inside those restrictions we’re honest about that.

We take the approach that we’re taking them off the channel because the live chat format isn’t right for them, and we’re sending them back to the subreddit for support..

Here’s some sample text:

• For Hotheads: “I’m sorry this has been so frustrating. I don’t think the live chat format is right for you, so I’m going to remove you from the group. Feel free to continue to use r/leaves, you’ll have more freedom there and I think it will be a better experience.” Then ban them and block their DMs.

• For Disruptors or any other good-faith users: “I’ve asked you to change your approach to the group a few times now, but we’re back here again. I don’t think the live chat format is right for you, so I’m going to remove you from the group. Feel free to continue to use r/leaves, you’ll have more freedom there and I think it will be a better experience.”

Then ban them and block their DMs.

Not a great day when you have to ban someone, especially if you know they need the group’s help, but you have to care for the group first.

Finally, let’s look at a few occasional situations that have come up in the past…

< Enforcing the Rules