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Swearing is currently against ROBLOX rules. This is a kids site, and they don't want kids getting any ideas, of course. Therefore, to allow some liberties for older players, they have implemented a really buggy, really annoying censor which filters out words using the hashtag symbol instead of the classic asterisk (# as opposed to * for the uninitiated).Sometimes someone will say something non-vulgar and it will come out as a string of hashtags, which I have heard from other ROBLOXians is irritating to the eyes (how this is I have yet to discover). As such, I would like to propose a solution that does not only appeal to the devs, but to the mods, older players, newer players, and just about everyone.
My suggestion is... stop moderating swearing.
Many of you at this very moment are fingering for the reply button, but before you do that I urge you to read the rest of this thread. Yes, halting the moderation on swearing in the gist of my idea, but there are many more parts that make up this restructuring of ROBLOX's take on swearing (NOTE: I am using the word "swearing" so much to avoid using the words "cursing" or "cussing", as these words are stupid generalizations of what I am talking about).
For instance, many of you will say, "But ROBLOX will lose its 'TRUSTe' award!" For the uninitiated, the TRUSTe award is given when the recipient is proven "kid-friendly". That's why I'm going to steal a page from a troll thread, of all threads. This is an excerpt:
"Ok so like one thing made thst replaced swesr words with something like cote ball rock"
If you understand troll, you can see the suggestion is a filter, different from the hashtags, that, instead of removing the offending words, replaces them with non-vulgar words. This would erase any hint that the person swore at all, which would prevent kids from learning such words. Offending words should also have several "filter" words that go with it, to vary the coverage so that people don't catch on. This filter would be used for players under 13 years of age.
That is Stage 1 of a 3-stage reform. Next, Stage 2; the classic asterisk censor we all know and love. This would be used for 13+ players, and would function like every single censor ever. 'Nuff said, you're probably wondering what Stage 3 is.
Stage 3 is the most controversial part of this reform; open swearing. Basically, Stage 2 is toggle-able. You can turn it on and off. When off, you can see swear words as clear as day. Nothing much to add.
Now to explain how this all works. Basically, everyone can swear now, even those under 13, BUT others under 13 who cannot see the words cannot repeat them if they do not know them. Those above 13 who chose not to swear are spared massive strings of slurs and swears by the classic censor, and those who want to know who the potty-mouths really are will be appeased.
The stage you are currently in can be changed via the same method that you gain the ability to freely talk from; e-mail verification. If you want to change what type of filter you have, you must use e-mail verification to change it, as to prevent nosy kids from switching the filter off.
Lastly, let me discuss something that this suggestion will affect that I really didn't go over throughout this thread; moderation. Yes, moderators will no longer have to root out swearers, and sift through reports of "omg he said ____". They instead can focus on things that really matter, such as exploiters, those who ask for other's info, and the likes. To add, tons of those who complain they were "unfairly banned" for swearing, "even though they didn't", will be liberated and no complaints will ever touch the forums ever again.
Now, to debunk major arguments.
"Kids will lie about their age." - If they lie about their age, they are probably old enough to know swear words already, so this isn't that big of a deal. Plus, with everyone being able to swear, what's the incentive? To be able to see swear words? Let me remind you that they have to have e-mail verification to turn the filter off, therefore meaning that if they use their parents' e-mail for verification, they will probably grab hold of it and punish the kid if they do not want them turning off the filter.
"Kids will use their own e-mail address." It's highly unlikely one under 13 has their own e-mail address, and, again, one that smart would probably know about swear words already. Plus, remember, incentive.
"ROBLOX will lose its TRUSTe award!" - Read the thread and learn more about Stage 1 of the reform.
"What about inappropriate content?" - This is a suggestion to reform USER swearing, not content swearing. Therefore, swearing in content will still be deemed against the rules until ROBLOX or someone on this forum comes up with a way to reform it.
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