We monitor content through a 2-check mechanism: manual audit of a randomized subset of content and self-reporting by the users on any violations. Monitoring of content and content is ensured to comply with the following guidelines:

Guideline 1: No Vulgarity

We restrict the display of nudity or sexual activity. Additionally, we default to removing sexual imagery to prevent the sharing of non-consensual or underage content. Restrictions on the display of sexual activity also apply to digitally created content. We also restrict sexually explicit language that may lead to solicitation because users within our student community are sensitive to this type of content and it may impede the ability for them to connect with their friends and the broader community.

Guideline 2: No Violence

We remove content that glorifies violence or celebrates the suffering or humiliation of others because it may create an environment that discourages participation. We allow graphic content (with some limitations) to help people raise awareness about issues. We know that people value the ability to discuss important issues like human rights abuses or acts of terrorism. We also know that people have different sensitivities with regard to graphic and violent content. 

Guideline 3: No Bullying

Bullying and harassment happen in many places and come in many different forms, from making threats to releasing personally identifiable information to sending threatening messages, and making unwanted malicious contact, abusive comments. We do not tolerate this kind of behavior because it prevents people from feeling safe and respected on Ownsfare. We remove content that's meant to degrade or shame people. We recognize that bullying and harassment can have more of an emotional impact on students, which is why our policies provide heightened protection for our users. We require self-reporting because it helps us understand that the person targeted feels bullied or harassed. We encourage people to report such behavior and content.

Guideline 4: No Hate Speech

We do not allow hate speech on Ownsfare because it creates an environment of intimidation and exclusion and in some cases may promote real-world violence. We define hate speech as a direct attack on people based on what we call protected characteristics — race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, caste, sex, gender, gender identity, and serious disease or disability. We define attack as violent or dehumanizing speech, statements of inferiority, or calls for exclusion or segregation and take action on the same.