Note: This is a draft for a future page where banned users would automatically be redirected upon logging in. See this issue for more info.
Have you been banned?
Users are banned from TASVideos for gross and/or systematic breach of site rules, abuse of any of the site's systems and infrastructure, or other behavior that directly harms the site or its users. Barring the cases of extreme urgency or repeated intentional abuse, moderators or senior staff members warn users about problematic behavior in advance and ask them to cease it voluntarily when they see it. This page is intended to help such users consider their options.
If you're redirected here automatically upon logging in, you have been banned. The counter below shows the remaining duration of your ban if it was specified. (If you don't see it, you currently aren't banned.)
(Add the system module for the ban duration tracker here)
Ways to appeal
Don't panic yet! The vast majority of bans are not set in stone. If you feel like your ban is inappropriate, its duration is disproportionate, or you sincerely regret your actions and can prove you can do better now, you may appeal the ban by emailing the staff or contacting any of the administrators or the senior moderator on Discord. (Elaborate on the methods)
Do note that the staff are good at detecting insincerity. They will not entertain lengthy debates or attempts to turn the appeal into a contest of rhetorical ability. What they want to see is a clear indication that you understand what you did wrong and why it was wrong, and an earnest will not to let it happen again. How to demonstrate that is entirely up to you. Consequently, the greater the transgression that led to the ban, the greater the burden of proof you need to show that you have changed. Abusing the appeals without showing clear and proportionate signs of improvement will only extend the ban, and can potentially make it irrevocable. For example, immediately complaining about one administrator to another administrator is not a good idea; bans and unbans are both consensus decisions by the moderator team, and all senior staff members participate in these discussions and share the information with each other.
Things NOT to do if banned
Even if you are already banned, technically, you can still add to your ban by breaching even more site rules. This may be your first impulse, so if you are still reading this page, please take a step back and reconsider.
- Do not create alternate accounts to evade the ban. The staff are always on the lookout for ban evaders and will ban you again as soon as they see enough evidence. This includes circumstantial evidence as well. You shouldn't assume you have an exceptional ability to hide it.
- Do not retaliate or spread misinformation about TASVideos or its individual members on other platforms. This includes impersonating TASVideos members in attempts to sully their reputation. If you want to appeal the ban, use the appropriate channels and methods described above.
Doing any of this will make a successful appeal much less likely in the future.
What else to consider if banned
Regardless of whether you intend to appeal a ban or whether your appeal is deemed sufficient, please consider the following:
- What compelled you to engage with the problematic situation or approach it specifically in a way that led to the ban? Could you have handled the situation differently—more calmly, civilly, with a broader outlook?
- What information did you lack going into the situation that led to the ban? Could you attain this information by asking more questions or being more willing to listen to others?
- If another party was involved, could any of your words or actions make them feel uncomfortable in any way, e.g. threatened, diminished, or disturbed? Did you generalize or otherwise assume something about them that is not true (at least not in a way that you could explicitly check and demonstrate)?
- What can you do to avoid this happening again? What has changed about your outlook, what lessons have been learned?
The ability to reflect on your actions, modify your conduct accordingly, and restrain yourself from doing anything potentially harmful or inappropriate is an incredibly valuable skill. We at TASVideos believe that every person can acquire it—contrary to our site's tagline, this is one of the cases where human skills are just enough! Even if you are banned, not everything is lost yet; please be aware that the staff will give second chances to everyone who demonstrates sufficient capacity and will to change.