CMV: Reddit should put limitations on bans that moderators can apply
It seems that most Reddit moderators first tool to reach for in moderation is the permanent ban hammer, at least in large subreddits.
Make a comment that a Reddit mod doesn't like? Permanent ban. Post something that doesn't quite fit the rules of a subreddit? Permanent ban. Make a comment that is slightly out of line? Permanent ban.
I understand that Reddit mods need tools to fight spammers and people acting in bad faith. But the tools that mods first reach for are often far too severe. This cannot be a good thing for Reddit as a whole, and I see no reason why Reddit wouldn't put some basic moderation restrictions in place to make Reddit a more forgiving place. Both users and moderators make mistakes, and while there should be consequences that mods can use to disincentivise rule-breaking, permanent bans are way overkill 99% of the time.
For example, I was banned from r/Frontend 4 years ago because I posted asking for feedback on a design. The moderators felt that this was self-promotion, which was not my intention, and so I am still banned to this day. The mods should have been able to ban me for what they viewed as self-promotion. That is fair enough. But it is ridiculous to me that such a simple misunderstanding can leave me still banned 4 years later, from a subreddit I liked interacting with.
Instead, Reddit should:
- Put a ban length limit for first-time offenders. If this is someone's first time breaking the rules of a subreddit, there should be a maximum of a 1 year ban that moderators can apply. One year is still a big incentive for people to not break the rules, and it at least provides some way for a person who broke the rules by mistake to get unbanned other than messaging the mods who will likely just mute you for asking.
- Implement a gradual increase in ban lengths available to moderators once previous bans have been served. If a user has been banned for one year previously, allow moderators to ban them for 2 years this time. Once they have been banned for a cumulative 3 years, allow moderators to permanently ban them if they break the rules again.
This makes much more sense for a website where people may hold on to their accounts for decades. It doesn't make sense that I may have broken a rule a decade ago, and still be banned from a subreddit today.
It would be interesting to hear from actual Reddit mods to get their perspective on this. Obviously, I am only talking from the perspective of a user of Reddit, and don't know the other side of the coin.