New legislation

[Socks Mum]

Maz, the Guinea Pig Forum has stopped direct messaging. I don't know if you have seen Boss Hog's posts about it. It seems like a reasonable precaution. It might work differently for The Hamster Forum. They were stopped so that everything on the forum can be moderated as unmoderated messages are a potential liability for the forum owner. It's something to be aware of anyway.

 

[Socks Mum]

The discussion is titled "All members please read - new UK Online Safety Act"

 

[Maz]

I'm just looking into it now. Our restrictions on age are 13 or over currently.

Online Safety Act: explainer

www.gov.uk

 

[Maz]

There was a major issue recently with " a Mum forum" where some awful photos were posted by spammers. I think their software and spam protection maybe isn't as good as ours though and it's a vast enterprise that was specifically targeted.

Currently we only restrict direct messaging if a member seems dubious. Home page comments are restricted to members only.

It is something to weigh up.

The legislation applies to all online services and social media, which includes main social media sites and all variety of site topics, and a hamster forum is hardly somewhere where inappropriate content is going to be posted by members

 

[Socks Mum]

Yes, our strength is that we are small and know each other

 

[Maz]

From the guidance - it looks like we might have to update the terms of service slightly.

 

[Maz]

The main requirements for a forum like this seem to be

1) To have moderation (which we have) and we also have a "report" button for moderators to take action
2) To state in the terms of service, what measures will be taken to prevent harmful material.

 

[Maz]

Changed the settings so direct messaging isn't available to new members. Eg it doesn't become available until a member is more established and known. Just as we currently limit new members from voting in photo comps to stop people joining up to vote for friends!

We haven't had a problem as yet with anyone receiving an inappropriate message from another member, but it's possible if a spammer gets through. Although not now I've changed the settings

Even admin can't view private messages between members, (technically it's possible via the server, but not possible on the forum itself), but there is a report button in direct messages.

 

[Maz]

Thanks for raising this Socks Mum

 

[Maz]

Unfortunately, having gone through the Ofcom regulation checker, even a small forum like this, isn't exempt and I'm required to complete a risk assessment form which needs updating every year. Which I'm doing.

As part of that, two of the questions are:

Can children access the forum (this means anyone under 18) and
Can users form closed groups or send group messages

As a result I agree with the guinea pig forum post you mentioned that it would be better if I cancel direct messaging. Clearly group private messaging is seen as a possible way for children to be "groomed". Even though that is 99.9% unlikely on here!

Admin can still contact members by direct message and they can reply.

This doesn't affect this forum particularly as we post on the forum and direct message isn't really used or needed much. There is a report button if a problem arises.

Moderators will need to communicate via the private moderator section of the forum (which is rarely used!)

I'll also have to ask everyone not to post their location in future.

I'll do a separate post about it all.

 

[Socks Mum]

Thank you for all you do Maz Massively appreciated

 

[Maz]

Wow it's very time consuming! Pages and pages of stuff to read and a huge form to fill in etc etc.

On balance it's a good thing, to keep people safe online.

I'm plodding my way through at the moment! I consulted a software forum also as other forums are in the same position - just to get as much info as possible

And thank you Socks Mum - the act starts in a few days time so I need to be up to speed! We already have very stringent security on here anyway, but I've just added another layer, that scans photos to prevent inappropriate photos being uploaded. Which is extremely unlikely on here but .......means it can't happen now (after what happened on that Mum forum).

Primarily though, our spam filters are very good and the software is good and up to date.