Fediverse

Tangentially related: if you see something that needs to be addressed now, like CSAM or gore, notify an instance admin via Matrix. That tool can send push notifications, so you're more likely to get a prompt response. Some instances also have public Matrix chats you can use.

You can find the Matrix account info for Lemmy users by clicking the "Send Secure Message" button in a user's profile.

I've noticed a sharp increase in spam and I've been reporting each one simply as "spam".

I then block the user

Many of these posts have dozens of down votes.

Several go back months, which I discover when a new variant turns up.

I'm unsure if what I'm doing is helping or not, and as an ICT professional, I'm not sure why this obvious spam isn't caught earlier.

With recent events hilighting the value of quality moderation

What happened?

If you're in doubt if some content violates the rules, report it, and let the mods decide if it's okay or not okay. That is not abuse of the report function.

Include a short description on why you're reporting some piece of content. Specially in larger comms, the mod queue can get really large. If reasonable mention the rule being violated; a simple "r1 off topic" goes a long way.

Context is everything. If what a user said only sounds bad in a certain context, say it. If the user is clearly problematic due to their profile, say it.

You're probably better off not interacting with the content that you're reporting.

Don't boss the other users around. It's fine to be informative; it is not fine to act as a moderator when you are not one. If moderative intervention is necessary, report it.

Stop giving shitty mods a free pass. Honest mistakes happen; but if the mod in question is assumptive, disingenuous, trigger-happy, or eager to enable certain shitty types of user, spread the word about their comm being poorly moderated. And don't interact directly with the comm. I think that at least here in the Fediverse we should demand higher standards from our mods.