OK, let's talk
I'm the creator of MyFitnessPal. I'm the one that has been moderating a lot of the topics today. I think there have been a lot of misperceptions about what we've been doing, and what our goals are for the forums and the site, so I wanted to try to clarify all of that and also answer any questions people might have.
First, let me start by stating that our preference would be to let anyone on the site talk about anything - religion, sex, politics, you name it. We'd much rather moderate as little as possible. Some people seem to think the mods are on a power-trip, but believe me, moderating is a pain in the neck. All of us would much rather not have to moderate at all.
But our belief is that the forums play a critical role in helping people reach their goals. People who participate in the forums can not only find the answers to questions they have about being healthier, but more importantly, they can make new friends who can give them the critical support and motivation they need to stay on track. For a lot of long-time members, MFP becomes a lot more than just a diet tool - it becomes their friends, even their family. And those relationships can play an absolutely critical role in helping people reach their goals. That's why we created the site, and why we made it free - because we wanted to help as many people as possible to live healthier lives.
The issue is that MFP attracts people from all walks of life. We have people who are atheists, and people who are devoutly Christian. We have people who want to flirt with others, and we have mothers and fathers who might use their computer in a living room and don't want their children to accidentally see a photo they are uncomfortable with. And more simply, we have people whose personalities don't mesh well, and they just don't get along. These are just some of the things that can cause conflicts on the forums, and if we just let them go, feelings inevitably get hurt and drama ensues. Some people like drama, but for most, it becomes draining, and eventually, makes you want to leave the site. And when that happens, you lose that support network that is so critical. I think a lot of people are seeing that in action today.
We don't want that to happen. We want people to achieve their goals. So, we've put forum rules in place to try to keep the forums a safe, supportive environment for everyone, and we've put in place a set of VOLUNTEER moderators who spend their own time and energy, for FREE, to try to keep MyFitnessPal the amazing place we all want it to be. In the main forums, the rules are designed to try to keep content and posts in a range where we think almost everyone will be comfortable. This way, the forums can help the most people possible.
Now, we know that people want to discuss all sorts of things, not just the ones that everyone is comfortable with. So we are working on Groups. With Groups, MFP members will be able to invite members to form a Group, and each group will have it's own message board. Those boards will still be subject to site-wide rules, but their content will be less restricted than the main forums and they will be self-moderated. Each group's creator can nominate moderators who will be responsible for moderating the content in that group. Our hope is that groups will give people a venue where they can discuss virtually anything they'd like, undisturbed by people who aren't comfortable or don't like the same topics.
On the main forums, though, we'll still have restrictions in place. And no matter what, we're not going to allow people to attack, harass, or otherwise insult other people on the site. Lately, we've seen a lot of that. Specifically:
- We've seen members jump onto a topic from a poster they don't like and try to derail it, making off-topic, derogatory, or insulting posts so that the topic gets ruined.
- We've seen members gang up on and make fun of other users they don't like
- We've seen members trying to push the limits of our sexual content rules, making thinly veiled sexual references and always trying to push the line
So, we're trying to change all of that. But make no mistake - this is our fault, and more specifically, my fault. I don't think I've done a good job of making the rules clear, for example. A lot of people don't even know the rules exist (they do). The moderating team we have is amazing, but there are too few of them, and the site has been growing like crazy so they've quickly become overwhelmed. We've been so busy trying to improve the site that we haven't had the chance to recruit more mods, and we haven't had a person at MyFitnessPal who could devote a significant amount of time to the forums. And because the mods are so overworked, they don't have time to notify people sometimes why topics or posts are deleted, or to send warnings to try to discourage bad behavior.
I then compounded that mistake by trying to jump in and help them to bring the forums back to the environment we wanted. But instead, people started misinterpreting our actions (or more specifically, my actions), rumors started to fly of bans (we haven't banned anyone), and pretty soon we were getting more and more reports, and more and more complaints. We had less and less time to explain to people what we were doing, and thus there was more and more confusion.
So, I'm trying to correct that now. If you have questions or comments, post them in this topic and I will answer them as best as I can. My only request is that you keep your posts and questions constructive so that we can try to find the best answers together.
So, let's talk.
First, let me start by stating that our preference would be to let anyone on the site talk about anything - religion, sex, politics, you name it. We'd much rather moderate as little as possible. Some people seem to think the mods are on a power-trip, but believe me, moderating is a pain in the neck. All of us would much rather not have to moderate at all.
But our belief is that the forums play a critical role in helping people reach their goals. People who participate in the forums can not only find the answers to questions they have about being healthier, but more importantly, they can make new friends who can give them the critical support and motivation they need to stay on track. For a lot of long-time members, MFP becomes a lot more than just a diet tool - it becomes their friends, even their family. And those relationships can play an absolutely critical role in helping people reach their goals. That's why we created the site, and why we made it free - because we wanted to help as many people as possible to live healthier lives.
The issue is that MFP attracts people from all walks of life. We have people who are atheists, and people who are devoutly Christian. We have people who want to flirt with others, and we have mothers and fathers who might use their computer in a living room and don't want their children to accidentally see a photo they are uncomfortable with. And more simply, we have people whose personalities don't mesh well, and they just don't get along. These are just some of the things that can cause conflicts on the forums, and if we just let them go, feelings inevitably get hurt and drama ensues. Some people like drama, but for most, it becomes draining, and eventually, makes you want to leave the site. And when that happens, you lose that support network that is so critical. I think a lot of people are seeing that in action today.
We don't want that to happen. We want people to achieve their goals. So, we've put forum rules in place to try to keep the forums a safe, supportive environment for everyone, and we've put in place a set of VOLUNTEER moderators who spend their own time and energy, for FREE, to try to keep MyFitnessPal the amazing place we all want it to be. In the main forums, the rules are designed to try to keep content and posts in a range where we think almost everyone will be comfortable. This way, the forums can help the most people possible.
Now, we know that people want to discuss all sorts of things, not just the ones that everyone is comfortable with. So we are working on Groups. With Groups, MFP members will be able to invite members to form a Group, and each group will have it's own message board. Those boards will still be subject to site-wide rules, but their content will be less restricted than the main forums and they will be self-moderated. Each group's creator can nominate moderators who will be responsible for moderating the content in that group. Our hope is that groups will give people a venue where they can discuss virtually anything they'd like, undisturbed by people who aren't comfortable or don't like the same topics.
On the main forums, though, we'll still have restrictions in place. And no matter what, we're not going to allow people to attack, harass, or otherwise insult other people on the site. Lately, we've seen a lot of that. Specifically:
- We've seen members jump onto a topic from a poster they don't like and try to derail it, making off-topic, derogatory, or insulting posts so that the topic gets ruined.
- We've seen members gang up on and make fun of other users they don't like
- We've seen members trying to push the limits of our sexual content rules, making thinly veiled sexual references and always trying to push the line
So, we're trying to change all of that. But make no mistake - this is our fault, and more specifically, my fault. I don't think I've done a good job of making the rules clear, for example. A lot of people don't even know the rules exist (they do). The moderating team we have is amazing, but there are too few of them, and the site has been growing like crazy so they've quickly become overwhelmed. We've been so busy trying to improve the site that we haven't had the chance to recruit more mods, and we haven't had a person at MyFitnessPal who could devote a significant amount of time to the forums. And because the mods are so overworked, they don't have time to notify people sometimes why topics or posts are deleted, or to send warnings to try to discourage bad behavior.
I then compounded that mistake by trying to jump in and help them to bring the forums back to the environment we wanted. But instead, people started misinterpreting our actions (or more specifically, my actions), rumors started to fly of bans (we haven't banned anyone), and pretty soon we were getting more and more reports, and more and more complaints. We had less and less time to explain to people what we were doing, and thus there was more and more confusion.
So, I'm trying to correct that now. If you have questions or comments, post them in this topic and I will answer them as best as I can. My only request is that you keep your posts and questions constructive so that we can try to find the best answers together.
So, let's talk.
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Replies
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I agree with you, and think you are doing a good job with the moderating if some don't agree they can just leave and let those who actually want help, without all the drama, get it. Thanks for creating this site, its a Godsend for me.0
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I think groups sound like a great idea. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for this site. I've never been this successful at losing weight before. I've been obese for at least 14 years and now I'm about 5 lbs away from not being obese anymore. So no matter what, I'm sticking around and I'm very grateful for this place.0
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I think all you said was very reasonable, and I do have children in the room, so I totally agree witrh what you want to accomplish!0
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Hey, just an idea. How about making one of those pages that you have to read with the rules and then CLICK that you agree? Most sites do this and then you can be more assured folks KNOW there are rules.0
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Hey, just an idea. How about making one of those pages that you have to read with the rules and then CLICK that you agree? Most sites do this and then you can be more assured folks KNOW there are rules.
It's a good idea. Most people still won't read them, but at least then they won't have an excuse.0 -
I think making groups is a fantastic idea. To be honest, it gets a little annoying with people using this website as something like facebook and focus mainly on the social aspect. While I am very much socially active on the site, I still use it as my main way of losing weight.
Another idea might be to have some sort of messenger where 2+ MFP'ers can chat just amongst themselves?
Thanks for all you do!
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Thanks for all you do Mike! MFP has helped a lot of people and I know we'd all love to help more, so thanks for all your time and effort (and everyone else on the MFP team, too!).
We all just need to go back to momma's old rule of "if you don't have something nice to say, just don't say anything at all" 0 -
Hi Mike! First of all, I LOVE this site. I do want to say that I do feel that there is someone (no names) following me to posts and intentionally stirring things up, but if I were to do the same, I get called out for it. I try to stay away from posts made by said person for this reason. I do not talk religion or politics. I do not follow other users. I do act silly, in the chit chat section, but do not bash others or namecall, as I have seen others do. Thanks for letting us talk to you openly.0
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All I can say is I appreciate you taking the time to explain the process and for stepping up and accepting responsibility. I am one who gets on here and talks about sex and sexy stuff, specifically boobs, but I think I do in a respect enough manner and with enough appropriateness that I have never had a PM from a mod. Respect is the key. And as for the flaming wars..well you are a better man than I am for not banning folks.
Thanks for this medium to communicate with folks Mike, great idea.0 -
Hey, just an idea. How about making one of those pages that you have to read with the rules and then CLICK that you agree? Most sites do this and then you can be more assured folks KNOW there are rules.
Definitely agree that the rules have to be more visible. Your suggestion is a good one. I'm not sure yet exactly what we'll do, but we'll definitely keep your idea in mind.
No matter what, though, the rules definitely need to be more obvious, and we need to better explain why the rules exist and what their purpose is. We'll work on that.0 -
Great explanation!0
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I just want to say thank you for this wonderful site!! I have seen a few posts that are questionable, but I just move on to something else. I don't take the boards so seriously that it would ruin my day. There are so many people on the site that there are bound to be people with a wide range of opinions about things. I'm here to log in my food and exercise and get and give support along the way. i have made friends that I have a lot in common with and some that I probably wouldn't ever run in to if it were not for our common weight loss goals. Kudos to you!!!!!0
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Hey, just an idea. How about making one of those pages that you have to read with the rules and then CLICK that you agree? Most sites do this and then you can be more assured folks KNOW there are rules.
yup, ^^^ this one.
And I know the mods and you try to do the best job you can. I think most people forget this too easily and how thankful we should actually be to have such an awesome tool to reach our goals.0 -
FANTASTIC!!! Now these forums will stop being used as a pornmatch.com website and we won't have to read it!
You know what else you should incorporate, honestly, an ignore button.
Please. Ignore button!0 -
Thank you Mike!0
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I think making groups is a fantastic idea. To be honest, it gets a little annoying with people using this website as something like facebook and focus mainly on the social aspect. While I am very much socially active on the site, I still use it as my main way of losing weight.
Another idea might be to have some sort of messenger where 2+ MFP'ers can chat just amongst themselves?
Thanks for all you do!
We're working on a very basic version of groups first, but we're thinking about adding chat in a future version so that group members could chat with one another. There's a lot we have to figure out first before we can make that happen, so I can't promise that chat will be available. But it's definitely something we are considering.0 -
Nice Mike. Thanks so much. I just love this site.0
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I think the mods on here do an amazing job, actually.0
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Mike,
First off, thank you for the site, it is great, secondly I would like to say thank you for the post, I like the idea of self modding groups that will allow people more freedom to discuss topics they want with like minded people. Self modding groups will be a great step in MFP.0 -
I think most of the drama is just immature and if people are so upset that they want to leave, so be it - less drama for the rest of us. I personally LOVE this site and the support that the forums provide. I think you all are doing a wonderful job and appreciate all that you do.0
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You know what else you should incorporate, honesty, an ignore button.
Please. Ignore button!
We're definitely looking at an ignore button. Need to explore the technical issues around it but it's on our to-do list.0 -
You know what else you should incorporate, honesty, an ignore button.
Please. Ignore button!
We're definitely looking at an ignore button. Need to explore the technical issues around it but it's on our to-do list.
Wooo hooo!!!! Awesome! I love it!0 -
It's really gotten out of hand it seems, you'd think this place was made up of a bunch of horny 16 year olds the way some people act!
Thank you for this site!! It's been so great for my weight loss0 -
Thank you for being clear and consise in your explanation. . You really have created a great site here and agreed. . . It would be fun to be able to have group rooms where we can talk about some of the things that we can't talk about on the main forums
Such as you said being flirtatious, or to be able to have rooms where we can talk about being a Christian. . . and how it plays out with our fitness jouney. .
or vegans and vegetarians. . it is great to embrace diversity and it is also great to be able to find others that have similar views to your own. . .
Thanks for all your hard work in this matter.. so that we can all get back to having fun together and getting healthy~0 -
Will groups be similar to google+ circles?
That would solve alot of problems0 -
Hey Mike,
First, thankyou for the site, and thankyou mods for giving up their time. This site is an incredible tool that's helping to change many people's lives.
I appreciate that you try to keep non-controversial topics off the agenda, such as politics, because of the flaming that comes from it, and I appreciate that the groups option will be coming soon so that a wider range of topics can be discussed by those who wish to.
The thing that I do still take issue with, however, is:In the main forums, the rules are designed to try to keep content and posts in a range where we think almost everyone will be comfortable. This way, the forums can help the most people possible
^ with regards to the blanket ban on talk of sexuality. By banning talk of LGBTQ people so that others can feel 'comfortable' is, purposefully or not, active discrimination. I do appreciate your reasoning behind the rule, honestly I do - no one likes to be bullied because of their sexual identity, and I know it makes the mods' lives easier. However, by banning open talk of LGBTQ in order to make some people feel more 'comfortable' is bowing down to homophobia and punishing the wrong group of people.
As I said, I understand your reasoning, but I really think that this rule is the wrong way to go about things.
(Sorry I'm sounding like a broken record lately, it just gets my goat)
Anywho, keep up the rest of the good work.0 -
I've been a member on this site for 2+ years. Thank you for everything that you do!0
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Thanks for posting this Mike. It is completely in line with the others posts you've made. I know you have a huge responsiblity with so many people on this site.
I respect that you owned the mistakes. I only wish you might have posted this sooner. I think some people felt singled out, and/or that topics were being selectively moderated. It's been a rough couple of days. In my opinion, I think you erred on the side of trying not to offend anyone. I can understand that approach, but it's not always the right choice, and can end up having unintended effects. It is your site, though, and your choice to make.
Lots of different personalities on here. I wish more people would move just a *little* bit toward the middle (one side less eager to poke, the other side less eager to get offended at the poke). But alas, that may never happen. We needs stuff to get worked up about I suppose.
It sounds like a solution is in the future. What is the ETA on Groups?0 -
Thank you, Mike! Thank you for providing this site for FREE and working so hard to bring the community together in compromises about the forums. I hope you don't feel like your job is thankless. There are so many people's lives that you've helped to change and people who are very grateful for it.
I like the ideas you have going and are working on for separating out the forums for different groups in the future. Thank you for continually making MFP a great place to be.0 -
i love this site and i think the groups sound great! thanks for taking the time to open a dialogue.0
This discussion has been closed.
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