Welcome to TownSquare!
TownSquare is a platform for open discussion, debate, and the exchange of ideas. We believe in fostering thoughtful conversation where diverse perspectives can coexist respectfully. These Community Guidelines help ensure that TownSquare remains a welcoming space for everyone.
By participating in TownSquare, you agree to follow these guidelines. Violations may result in content removal, account suspension, or permanent ban depending on severity and frequency.
Our Core Values
Open Dialogue
We encourage diverse viewpoints and respectful disagreement
Mutual Respect
Treat others as you would like to be treated
Thoughtful Content
Quality over quantity, substance over noise
✓ What We Encourage
- • Constructive disagreement: Challenge ideas, not people. Back up your arguments with reasoning or evidence.
- • Citing sources: When making factual claims, link to credible sources when possible.
- • Asking questions: Genuine curiosity and clarifying questions improve understanding.
- • Good faith engagement: Assume others are posting in good faith unless proven otherwise.
- • Admitting mistakes: It's okay to be wrong. Changing your mind based on new information is a strength.
✗ Prohibited Content
The following types of content are not allowed on TownSquare and will be removed:
Hate Speech & Harassment
Content that attacks, threatens, or demeans individuals or groups based on protected characteristics including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
Examples of violations:
- Slurs or derogatory language targeting protected groups
- Denying the humanity or dignity of individuals based on protected characteristics
- Promoting hate groups or ideologies
- Targeted harassment campaigns against individuals
What's allowed:
- Criticizing ideas, beliefs, or political positions
- Academic or historical discussion of sensitive topics
- Satire or humor that doesn't dehumanize
Violence & Threats
Content that threatens, incites, or glorifies violence against people or animals. This includes direct threats, calls for violence, and celebration of violent events.
Examples of violations:
- "Someone should hurt [person/group]"
- Detailed plans or instructions for violence
- Glorifying mass shootings, terrorism, or violent crimes
- Graphic depictions of violence intended to shock or disturb
Adult & Sexual Content
Sexually explicit content, including images, videos, or detailed text descriptions. TownSquare is designed for general audiences.
Examples of violations:
- Pornographic images or videos
- Sexually explicit text or "erotica"
- Sexual solicitation
- Non-consensual intimate imagery
What's allowed:
- Educational discussion of sexual health and relationships
- Artistic nudity in historical or cultural context
- LGBTQ+ topics and identity discussion
Illegal Content & Activities
Content that is illegal or facilitates illegal activity. This is an immediate ban with potential law enforcement referral.
Zero-tolerance violations:
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) - immediately reported to NCMEC
- Human trafficking or exploitation
- Sale of illegal drugs, weapons, or stolen goods
- Instructions for creating weapons or explosives
- Copyright or trademark infringement (see DMCA policy)
Spam & Platform Manipulation
Content or behavior designed to game the system, deceive users, or disrupt the platform.
Examples of violations:
- Repetitive posts or comments (copy-paste spam)
- Vote manipulation (brigading, coordinated voting, bot accounts)
- Phishing links or malware distribution
- Impersonation of other users or public figures
- Creating multiple accounts to evade bans
- Excessive self-promotion or advertising
Misinformation & Deceptive Content
Deliberate spread of false information with intent to deceive or cause harm. We distinguish between honest mistakes and malicious deception.
High-priority misinformation:
- Health misinformation that could cause physical harm
- Election misinformation about voting procedures or results
- Manipulated media (deepfakes) presented as real without disclosure
- Conspiracy theories promoting violence or harassment
What's allowed:
- Honest mistakes corrected when pointed out
- Opinions, speculation, and theories clearly marked as such
- Satire and parody clearly labeled
- Questioning mainstream narratives with evidence
Self-Harm & Suicide
Content that promotes, encourages, or glorifies self-harm or suicide.
Examples of violations:
- Instructions or encouragement for self-harm
- Suicide pacts or promotion of suicide methods
- Romanticizing eating disorders
What's allowed:
- Support discussions for mental health recovery
- Sharing personal experiences with self-harm in a recovery context
- Resources for crisis support (e.g., 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
How to Report Violations
If you encounter content that violates these guidelines, please report it. We review all reports and take action when appropriate.
📱 Report Button
Click the "⋯" menu on any post or comment and select "Report." Choose the violation type and provide details if needed.
✉️ Email Reports
For serious violations, use our contact form and include:
- Link to content
- Description of violation
- Why it's harmful
Emergency: If you encounter content involving imminent danger, child abuse, or illegal activity, contact local law enforcement immediately. Then report to us so we can preserve evidence and cooperate with authorities.
Enforcement & Penalties
We take a graduated approach to enforcement. Penalties depend on severity, intent, and history:
⚠️ Warning
First-time minor violations. Content removed, user notified with explanation.
🔇 Temporary Suspension
Repeated violations or moderate severity. Account restricted for 1-30 days.
🚫 Permanent Ban
Severe violations (illegal content, persistent harassment, ban evasion). Account permanently disabled.
Note: Particularly egregious violations (CSAM, terroristic threats, doxxing) result in immediate permanent ban without warning.
Appeals Process
If you believe your content was removed or your account was suspended in error, you may appeal:
- Submit an appeal via our contact form within 30 days
- Include your username and the content in question
- Explain why you believe the decision was incorrect
For Community Moderators
If you're a community moderator, you have additional responsibilities:
- • Lead by example: Model the behavior you want to see in your community
- • Be consistent: Apply rules fairly without favoritism
- • Communicate clearly: Explain moderation decisions when removing content
- • Escalate serious issues: Report severe violations to TownSquare admins
- • Don't abuse power: Moderator privileges are for community benefit, not personal gain
Moderators who abuse their position will have privileges revoked and may face account suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TownSquare censor political opinions?
No. We welcome diverse political viewpoints across the spectrum. What we don't allow is hate speech, harassment, or misinformation that could cause real-world harm. You can criticize any politician, party, or policy as long as you don't attack people based on protected characteristics.
What about satire and dark humor?
Satire and humor are allowed, but context matters. If your joke targets a protected group in a dehumanizing way, it may violate our guidelines. When in doubt, add context or a disclaimer. "Just joking" is not a defense for harassment.
Can I criticize religions or ideologies?
Yes. Criticism of ideas, beliefs, and institutions is fundamental to free expression. However, you cannot attack or demean individuals because of their religion. "Islam is wrong about X" is allowed; "Muslims are [slur]" is not.
What if I'm falsely accused of harassment?
Use the appeals process. We review context, history, and intent. Disagreement is not harassment. However, persistent unwanted contact, name-calling, or following someone across threads may constitute harassment even if each individual comment seems mild.
Do these guidelines apply to private messages?
Yes. Harassment, threats, and illegal content are prohibited in DMs. Users can report private messages, and we will investigate. However, we don't proactively monitor DMs.
How do you handle controversial topics like [recent news event]?
We don't ban topics. You can discuss any current event, but avoid spreading unverified claims as fact. If a topic involves misinformation or violence, we may add context labels or limit recommendation algorithms, but we won't remove the discussion.
Questions?
If you have questions about these Community Guidelines, please contact us:
Use our contact form for any questions, reports, or appeals.
These Community Guidelines were last updated on November 17, 2025. We may update them periodically to address new challenges or clarify existing rules.