Your safety is our pride and joy

[Samurai Equine 55,237]

No matter what, the staff is on your side.

Hello there, everyone! Thank you for taking the time to read this. 

This post is to let you know that the staff at the MLP Forums are always working to make sure that this place is a safe, comfortable location for those who just want a slice of wholesomeness. Like coming home to your favorite comfort food after a long, hard day. A place where kindness reigns supreme, where you can let your guard down, and where you can find plenty of trustworthy friends without even trying.

And that goes DOUBLE for the staff! We're not just enforcers. We care about what's best for our users and this community. Whenever you're in need, you can always rely on the staff.

But sad as it is to say, there are those who don't appreciate the wholesome atmosphere we're trying to create and maintain. Some people take for granted how nice it is here, and when they don't get what they want, they try to tear it down and ruin it for others.

When in doubt, seek out the staff.

I'd like to take a moment to address matters related to any user that has been banned from this platform.
We're not just creating and enforcing rules here. As stated before, we're trying to create a safe and wholesome community where anyone can feel welcome. Which leads me to this very vital point...

• If a user has been banned from the MLP Forums, please trust that the staff has VERY valid & well documented reasons for doing so. Therefore, anyone who was banned was a danger to the safety of this community and its users.

However, humble and shameless don't usually go together. Those who get called out seldomly have the ability to accept the truth and admit when they've done wrong. Instead, they flock to social media, messaging apps, and other forums to try and twist the narrative. They try to make themselves look like victims with half-truths and convenient stories, pretending to be your friend, all while trying to make the staff here look like bullies and monsters. Projection at its finest. And we don't mind being held to a higher standard, as our users deserve it, but we don't like when liars try to prey on innocent users with their narratives and crazy schemes.

We might not be able to control everything that happens outside of this forum, but we are here for you beyond these forum pages. 

So if you should encounter someone on Discord, Social media, or some other location trying to bring you into their fold against us... If you should have fears, hesitations, or superstitions about who is trying to contact you; feel absolutely free to reach out to us, the staff. We have moderators and admins that know who is worth your trust and who isn't. We can speak up on behalf of sweethearts, but we can also tell you when to avoid the trouble-makers.

Please, don't ever feel like you can't reach out to us for the things that happen outside this forum. You can, because we're here for you.

We'll protect your safety, everywhere.

At the end of the day, this place is for ponies, friendship, and fun. We want to make it safe for everyone to enjoy all those things, especially those who need and appreciate it. That's what a community should be; a shared sense of safety for everyone. No worldly issues to get in the way of what we love, just fun and understanding.  Take me, for example~! I'd love to be the hero that everpony can depend on, and if going above and beyond to keep this forum and its users safe is the best way to do so, then consider it morphin time for me!

We trust the community to report Guideline violations and other disruptions, but we also want all of you to trust us for more. We want to be you friends and confidants, because we are always keeping a look out on your behalf. If you're not sure who to trust, let us be the guiding voice of reason that you need. Even if you're not sure which staff member to reach out to first, don't worry about it! We can always redirect you to whichever staff member can help you out in the best and the most efficient way possible. We're all part of the same team.

tl;dr, read the headings, and you'll get the gist of it.
Have a good day, everypony~! Thank you for putting your trust in us. We'll do our best to keep you safe and rise to all your expectations, as a good friend should.

[Ice Princess Silky <3 18,927]

Awww Samural, thank you for posting this, lovely. It shall go wonderfully with the new addition to the site where people will be able to connect more with staff through anonymous posting. Hidden threads, etc for the more... shy types who are scared or worried to speak up. Staff is here for you. We are constantly managing the up keep and safety of the site for users to enjoy.

So, even if we seem far and distant or detached or rarely acknowledge your shy/hidden presence... if you're here, enjoying the site and community, we're happy to know that and happy to help in any way. 

[ZiggWheelsManning 13,446]

What's the new addition Silky?  

[Ice Princess Silky <3 18,927]

6 minutes ago, ZiggWheelsManning said:

What's the new addition Silky?  

What you see on the thread is the current news. What's in the works is merely a reflection of this philosophy, so, we cannot stress it enough.  Just know that staff has your back. You're not alone. Even if you feel sad or lonely or like a bother -- please reach out and talk. Say hi. Know that we care about you.  Through thick, thin, good or bad. We're here. To enjoy a good laugh or to address a serious matter. Staff is very caring and involved. We're not invasive, though. Staff won't be going to you, personally. You'd have to come to us and keep us in the loop of whatever is on your mind. 

We will also be enforcing thread rules here - especially in the Throne Room. Replies have to stay relevant to the post and not so low effort. So, not as much banter unless it's an Event or light-hearted thread like General Discussions/Lounge, etc. Thanks for reading, Ziggswheels. And thanks for being a darling friend in this community. 

[ZiggWheelsManning 13,446]

That means being on topic, right?  

[Ice Princess Silky <3 18,927]

1 hour ago, ZiggWheelsManning said:

That means being on topic, right?  

Of course, lovely. All topics should be treated with respect and care. If you have any other questions related to this thread, we’re here for you. 

[FluttersSez 51]

How did you manage to find out the bad actor(s) in question were talking behind your back?

That's like finding a needle in a hay stack.

[Samurai Equine 55,237]

14 minutes ago, FluttersSez said:

How did you manage to find out the bad actor(s) in question were talking behind your back?

That's like finding a needle in a hay stack.

Bad actors aren't as slick as they think they are. Word travels fast, and we have more connections than they realize.  Or maybe that's just a benefit of being nice. There are plenty who see the great things we are doing, and they don't have the heart to let bad actors tear it down, so they come to us to let us know what is going on.

It's kind of funny, that title, isn't it? Bad actor. An actor is suppose to make us forget we are watching a play or a show. Their acting is suppose to be so good, that for a moment, we truly believe what we are watching. A bad actor would only fail at this, making it painfully obvious that you are watching a fictional performance. 

[Sophie 1,683]

Very well written and straight to the point! Thank you Samurai! 

[rottenpawzies 165]

This place is very wholesome!! Thank you for keeping it that way!! ദ്ദി˶˃ ᵕ ˂ )✧

[VKH17 66]

Its really hard to find such positive/kind websites and environments such as these, sure, it isn't too perfect, but y'all actually enforce it aggressively (aggressively in a good way) usually most communities that I've been in have rather been very toxic and draining to be in, all you see would be insults, toxicity, anger, depression, sadness, etc, again, from What I've seen equine State this website isn't truly perfect, there are those who wish to be negative and ergo express it to those who don't deserve it at all, seeing websites like these kind of made me view the world more better! Thank you and the other mods  

[Ganondorf8 11,720]

Huh... Never realized that this was a serious problem. Granted, it was never my place to make any kind of judgment when I was a member of staff. Still, this situation is nothing new as forums/communities have had this problem for years. Back when I was a member of Nintendo of America's NSider Forums, there were problems practically every other day and with thousands being online all at once, things got out of control very quickly.

In any case, this place is much quieter and is beneficial for my sanity/health. It's not perfect but then perfection is impossible to achieve. You don't always have to get along with everyone and instead merely tolerate them or agree to disagree. No sense in dragging yourself into a problem after all.

[Shiny Silvermoon 4,380]

Thank you, @Samurai Equine, @Ice Princess Silky <3 and every other staff members working for the greater good of this community! 
There is no word to describe how grateful I am to be part of this community of incredible people! What you're doing is helpful! 
Also, I look forward to this new potential addition! 

[Avery 549]

 

If members ever feel unsure about who to trust or listen to online, think of it like this: don’t listen to the fox—listen to Jiminy Cricket.

We, the forum staff, may not always be the loudest or most noticeable, but like Jiminy, we’re here to be your guide and conscience. Our role is to look out for you and help you make the best choices. The fox may be flashy and persuasive, but it’s the cricket who truly has your best interests at heart.

[ExplosionMare 22,266]

Thank you for making this post, Samurai! I've really appreciated all the dedication all of you Staff Members have for the safety of the users here 

[FluttersSez 51]

3 hours ago, Ganondorf8 said:

Huh... Never realized that this was a serious problem. Granted, it was never my place to make any kind of judgment when I was a member of staff. Still, this situation is nothing new as forums/communities have had this problem for years. Back when I was a member of Nintendo of America's NSider Forums, there were problems practically every other day and with thousands being online all at once, things got out of control very quickly.

In any case, this place is much quieter and is beneficial for my sanity/health. It's not perfect but then perfection is impossible to achieve. You don't always have to get along with everyone and instead merely tolerate them or agree to disagree. No sense in dragging yourself into a problem after all.

I've heard Sega fans are a bit iffy too.

[Ganondorf8 11,720]

3 hours ago, FluttersSez said:

I've heard Sega fans are a bit iffy too.

Especially the Sonic fans.

[Dawnshine Wonder 2,864]

You recommending therapy helped me, so there's that, you're welcome to discuss anything with me either publicly or privately Samurai Equine, you're one of the moderators I have formed a somewhat stable friendship with so I can see this going well with you. You saw what negative topics were doing to my mental health and I have to admit you did help, none of you really were malicious toward me about this, you saw this as a problem that needed to be addressed as it would be for anybody else here.

[Samurai Equine 55,237]

19 hours ago, FluttersSez said:

I've heard Sega fans are a bit iffy too.

16 hours ago, Ganondorf8 said:

Especially the Sonic fans.

 

None of that, please. Let's be nice and stay on topic, shall we? 
Let's not forget that the bronies cross over into many other fandoms (I happen to be a Sonic fan as well, and I've seen a few Sega/Sonic fans on here as well). A few bad apples in one fandom don't represent the entire fandom.

This topic is about how everyone is safe and welcome here. Let's not ruin it with negative generalizations.  If anyone is here to ruin the civility and safety of this community, for any reason at all, the mods will handle it. That's our promise.

2 minutes ago, Dawnshine Wonder said:

You recommending therapy helped me, so there's that, you're welcome to discuss anything with me either publicly or privately Samurai Equine, you're one of the moderators I have formed a somewhat stable friendship with so I can see this going well with you. You saw what negative topics were doing to my mental health and I have to admit you did help, none of you really were malicious toward me about this, you saw this as a problem that needed to be addressed as it would be for anybody else here.

 

You're so very welcome! Helping others to the best of our abilities is what we strive to do.

[Dawnshine Wonder 2,864]

4 minutes ago, Samurai Equine said:

You're so very welcome! Helping others to the best of our abilities is what we strive to do.

Thank you, I don't wish for anymore misunderstandings to happen here between me and other users on this site or you, the reason I come back to you is because you don't treat me like I'm a monster, and you don't generalize me or other people here for their opinions about anything. You even call out language that carries negative connotations even when there's no malice which is helpful.

I'm a MLP and Sonic fan myself.

[Ice Princess Silky <3 18,927]

40 minutes ago, Dawnshine Wonder said:

You recommending therapy helped me, so there's that, you're welcome to discuss anything with me either publicly or privately Samurai Equine, you're one of the moderators I have formed a somewhat stable friendship with so I can see this going well with you. You saw what negative topics were doing to my mental health and I have to admit you did help, none of you really were malicious toward me about this, you saw this as a problem that needed to be addressed as it would be for anybody else here.

I know it looks difficult when you're struggling with something and a moderator reaches out. Our own minds can convince us that we're being judged by that moderator but I can assure you that mods always speak in the best light possible about users who are struggling with something and that is why -- for there to be a ban, the user must truly be either malicious, playing with them or trying to use their compassion as leniency to get away with more abusive tactics. You were responsive to the advice and sought to resolve and get a handle on things to the best of your ability. So, you deserve some credit here, too.  And I'm glad you feel at home here despite how crazy things felt to you before. 

[Samurai Equine 55,237]

2 hours ago, Dawnshine Wonder said:

Thank you, I don't wish for anymore misunderstandings to happen here between me and other users on this site or you, the reason I come back to you is because you don't treat me like I'm a monster, and you don't generalize me or other people here for their opinions about anything. You even call out language that carries negative connotations even when there's no malice which is helpful.

I'm a MLP and Sonic fan myself.

You're no monster, my friend. 
What you were going through is just what you were going through, and everyone needs a little help sometimes. I don't want to make any private matters of yours public. I just want to say that I am glad I could help in any way that I could. And it's good to see you, fellow Sonic fan. We'll blast through and make this place welcoming for all at super sonic speed!