Difference between revisions of "Linden Lab Official:How To Handle Online Harassment"
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===How do I fill out an abuse report?=== | ===How do I fill out an abuse report?=== | ||
Choose '''Help > Report Abuse''' from the menus in the Second Life Viewer. The system takes a snapshot of what your camera sees at that moment. | |||
The abuse report window appears, presenting you with a number of options. | The abuse report window appears, presenting you with a number of options. | ||
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If the snapshot will help clarify things, select the Include Screenshot checkbox at the top right, to attach what you saw when the window opened to the report. If the problem is related to an object, click the blue button in the top left part of the window, and then on the object at issue. Its location, name and owner information will then automatically be included on the report. | If the snapshot will help clarify things, select the Include Screenshot checkbox at the top right, to attach what you saw when the window opened to the report. If the problem is related to an object, click the blue button in the top left part of the window, and then on the object at issue. Its location, name and owner information will then automatically be included on the report. | ||
That leaves the core of the window: The Summary and Details fields. | That leaves the core of the window: The '''Summary''' and '''Details''' fields. | ||
*Fill in a brief one-line description of the incident in the Summary field. That's the first thing that Linden Lab's Customer Service will see. | * Fill in a brief one-line description of the incident in the '''Summary''' field. That's the first thing that Linden Lab's Customer Service will see. | ||
*Try to be brief and precise: "Bob's a jerk" isn't terribly useful. However, "Bob Griefer — Disrupted event with self-replicating objects" is a much better description. | * Try to be brief and precise: "Bob's a jerk" isn't terribly useful. However, "Bob Griefer — Disrupted event with self-replicating objects" is a much better description. | ||
*In the Details field, give as much information as you can to help the abuse team assess the incident. | * In the '''Details''' field, give as much information as you can to help the abuse team assess the incident. | ||
===What happens after an abuse report is filed?=== | ===What happens after an abuse report is filed?=== | ||
Revision as of 09:16, 16 May 2011
When should I file an abuse report?
Abuse reports are appropriate for violations of Linden Lab's Terms of Service (TOS) or Community Standards (CS). Every Resident agrees to abide by these rules when registering for a Second Life account. Some special areas, like Help Island and the Welcome Areas, have additional rules, called the Welcome Area Guidelines.
How do I fill out an abuse report?
Choose Help > Report Abuse from the menus in the Second Life Viewer. The system takes a snapshot of what your camera sees at that moment.
The abuse report window appears, presenting you with a number of options.
If the snapshot will help clarify things, select the Include Screenshot checkbox at the top right, to attach what you saw when the window opened to the report. If the problem is related to an object, click the blue button in the top left part of the window, and then on the object at issue. Its location, name and owner information will then automatically be included on the report.
That leaves the core of the window: The Summary and Details fields.
- Fill in a brief one-line description of the incident in the Summary field. That's the first thing that Linden Lab's Customer Service will see.
- Try to be brief and precise: "Bob's a jerk" isn't terribly useful. However, "Bob Griefer — Disrupted event with self-replicating objects" is a much better description.
- In the Details field, give as much information as you can to help the abuse team assess the incident.
What happens after an abuse report is filed?
Once you have submitted your abuse report, the report goes to Customer Service, and you are emailed an automated response. If you have more information to add, you can reply to that email and add anything else that you think may be of use.
After reviewing the abuse report and any other relevant information, Customer Service takes appropriate action, which may range from an official warning to a suspension or permanent termination of the abuser's access to the Second Life world. When your abuse report has been resolved, you will be sent an automated email informing you that the issue has been closed.
Other questions
What if someone is abusing me verbally through voice?
The great thing about the Second Life voice feature is that you can do something that you can't do in the real world: You can mute people.
Click! Problem solved.
There are two ways to mute voice chat inworld:
- Using the NEARBY VOICE window:
- Click the button with the little white arrow next to the Speak button at the bottom of the Second Life viewer window. The NEARBY VOICE window opens.
- Right-click the name of the avatar you want to mute and choose Block Voice.
- Using the People tab in the sidebar:
- Click the People tab to open the sidebar.
- Click Nearby to view a list of nearby avatars.
- Right-click the name of the avatar you wish to mute and select Block/Unblock.
 |
Note: Using the People tab to block someone blocks all communication to you from that avatar, not just that avatar's voice chat. |
What if I'm in an area where there's a griefing attack?
If you're in an area where there's a "griefing attack" — or an attack of unwanted, self-replicating objects, or scripts that push you around—remain calm, and don't panic. Try sitting on an object, or on the ground. "Griefers" sometimes go away if you don't respond to them. You can always leave the area, and be sure to submit an abuse report!
What if I'm in an area where there's weapons fire?
If you're in an area where there's weapons fire, check whether you're on "combat" or "damage enabled" land. Look for a little red heart to the right of your Help menu at the top of the screen. If you can see it, you're in a valid combat zone, which means weapons fire is permitted. However, use of weapons outside areas marked this way is not, and you should submit an abuse report.
When should multiple abuse reports be filed?
File multiple abuse reports if there are multiple incidents, or if many people are affected by an incident. You can file reports about abuse that you observe, not just abuse directed at you personally. Not every Resident is aware of the abuse reporting mechanism, or remembers to use it in a time of trouble. So help your fellow Residents! Besides, reports from multiple people show the abuse team that an incident affected more than one person. If twenty of you are affected, there should be twenty abuse reports. Not just one!
What can I do about repeat abusers?
For repeat abusers, try ejecting or banning them from your land. To do this, right-click on the land and select About Land from the pie menu that appears. Using the "Ban" tab, you can restrict selected avatars' access to your land. Residents on the ban list cannot visit your land, but can still fly over your land at a certain height. You can also freeze and eject people on your land by right-clicking directly on their avatars.
Try going to Help Island to speak to someone there. Give a quick description of the abuse, explain that it is ongoing, and indicate that you've filed an abuse report. If a Linden Lab Liaison is available to help you, one will, but there are many Residents and few Liaisons. They will do their best, but may not always be available to help.
If you accepted the friendship of the repeat abuser, remove the friendship. This will prevent the abuser from tracking you if you decide to go elsewhere. To remove friendship, simply click on the Communicate button at the bottom of the Second Life viewer window. Once the Communicate window opens, click the Friends option to see your list of friends. Highlight the name of the friend that you would like to remove, and then select the Remove button to the right.