Community and Content Guidelines
The Fine Print
The following paragraphs summarize YMCA KTUB’s approach to behavior and content. These guidelines have been made public in the spirit of open communication but it should be noted that they are adaptable and will evolve over time. Depending on the severity, a breach of YMCA KTUB’s guidelines can result in a formal warning, account suspension, or account closure. YMCA KTUB has internal policies and procedures in place to ensure these guidelines are applied in a consistent and fair manner. In applying these guidelines, YMCA KTUB reserves the right to remove a work or close an account at our sole discretion.
Age
Members must be 16 years or older. This is a legal requirement as people under the age of 16 are not able to enter into a legal contract with YMCA KTUB.
Mature Content
Mature Content refers to works containing content that may be considered not suitable for viewing by some audiences, such as nudity, blood, guns, alcohol, drugs, violence, adult language, and other similar themes.
Artists should indicate that their work is Mature Content as a part of the upload process, however, this can also be done at any time using the Edit Work function
Tag Spamming
Tag spamming is not permitted. Tag spamming is the use of irrelevant or inappropriate words in the tags on a work – for example, using the tag blue on a work that contains only red, or using adult-themed tag words on children’s clothing or works that reference children.
Self-Promotion
Members can self-promote in their parts of the site (i.e. journal, profile), but should refrain from uninvited self-promotion outside of these areas. For example, members should not self-promote in the comments under another member’s work. Artists can promote products and services they provide in their journals or profile but need to be clear and transparent about the details – in particular, the financial details.
Adult Language
Malicious or hurtful swearing at another member is not permitted (it is considered a personal attack). Swearing and adult language in a more general context is acceptable. Works containing adult language should be marked as Mature Content.
Designs on Children’s Clothing
We take a conservative approach to designs made available on children’s clothing. Designs should be suitable for children of all ages and without undesirable associations or connotations (for example, sexually or violently suggestive, demeaning, derogative, or political material or phrasing that could be interpreted as such). Humorous slogans need to be tested against a broad range of views as they can cause unforeseen and unintended offenses. Gender-specific slogans also need careful consideration.
Violence and Hatred
Work that glorifies or trivializes violence or human suffering is not permitted. For example, graphic depictions of violence, works that trivialize violent acts, and work or behavior where the intent of the artist is to incite hatred or violence. This includes the promotion of organizations, groups or people who have a history of violence and/or an agenda of hate.
Works that deal with catastrophic events such as genocides or holocausts or other atrocities need to be sensitively handled. Works that have the potential to cause the victims serious distress may be removed.
Racism
Racist content or behavior and material designed to incite racism is not permitted. We define racism as either the hatred or intolerance of another race, or discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior, or a belief that all members of a racial group possess characteristics specific to that race, especially to distinguish it as being inferior.
Racist Terms: Works that use racist terms in a casual and/or derogatory way are not permitted. The decision to remove a work will depend on the context in which words are used, but as a rule of thumb, this excludes situations where legitimate discussion or commentary is taking place. For example, a written work where the artist uses a racial slur in the context of describing their personal experiences of racism would be allowed to remain, but a slogan t-shirt featuring the slur would not.
Use of Symbols
Symbols and icons carry strong messages e.g. the swastika, crosses, the Confederate Flag, Hitler, and the Koran. These symbols and their like can be used in a work, but only with considerable care. Works may be removed if:
the intent is ambiguous or needlessly provocative
the content appears deliberately designed to contravene anti-vilification, anti-racist, or hate guidelines
the content does not comply with country-specific laws
Country-Specific Laws
Some countries regulate or prohibit the use of certain content, like symbols, images, or words. To comply with the laws in these countries, YMCA KTUB may remove works that contain such content.
Vilification
We define vilification as conduct or content that is intended to invoke serious contempt, revulsion, or severe ridicule of an individual or group of people because of race, religion, disability, gender identity, sexuality, or they are deemed to be a vulnerable person or group eg: refugees. This includes the promotion of organizations, groups or people whose views are inherently vilifying any of the above. As a general rule, works that are presented as an opinion or a criticism on a subject of public interest do not fall under this definition.
Harmful Misinformation
Harmful misinformation is not permitted. We define this as any misleading or false information that harms or significantly threatens public health and safety, or where the intent is to cause fear and suspicion about a topic that can cause real-world harm.
Personal Attacks
A personal attack is where a member writes hurtful or insulting things about another member or makes personal remarks with the intention of hurting or upsetting them. Personal attacks can also include comments made about a group of members and names don’t have to be mentioned in order for behavior to be considered a personal attack. Most importantly, provocation is not a justification for a personal attack on another member.
If an exchange is becoming heated or if someone’s behavior isn’t appropriate we strongly advise taking a few deep breaths, reporting any instances where the behavior falls outside YMCA KTUB’s guidelines, and then ceasing communication.
YMCA KTUB staff does their very best to listen and address concerns but we ask that you treat staff as you treat each other. The staff welcomes suggestions, ideas, feedback, and constructive criticism but we ask that you share your thoughts in a mature, respectful, and considerate manner. Personal attacks on staff will be followed up in line with our Community Guidelines.
