How can we improve the forums? Your suggestions and comments please

[Chris_B]

Hi all, this thread is a running commentary for all members on things for improvements to the forums. This can be anything from how it looks, the categories, to moderation, community rules etc.

While we might not be able to implement everything straightaway, or keep everyone happy all of the time, we'd like to hear about what you think we can do better.

This is not a thread for discussing the moderation or editing of individual posts - if you have questions about this please contact the team offline via email modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

To avoid repeating suggestions already received, below are some results from our last user survey giving an indication of which new features people would like to see on the forums. This survey was answered by 1,597 users:

44% - Email notification when I have a reply on the forum
39% - Access to the forums via an app
27% - Ability to block seeing posts by specific users
25% - Ability to contact users privately
25% - Ability to use emoticons
25% - Ability to follow posts by specific users
24% - Ability to share links
23% - Forum posts visible only to registered users
22% - A profile, viewable by others users, where I can introduce myself
21% - Ability to quickly access all posts by a particular user
15% - Ability to tag users in a conversation
10% - Ability to share images
6% - Ability to share videos
17% - None of these

Update July 2022 - This discussion has now been closed. Please go to the updated version below to share feedback and follow our updates:

How can we improve the Forums?

[golden82]

Thank you Blue 🙂 you have clearly explained how a lot of us feel when that happens. Thank you for your voice being a voice for me and I'm sure for others too. That idea does sound a more empowering way to do things. Ps good to see you here.

[mmMekitty]

Thank you, Blue's Clues, for succeeding to say what I have been trying to say...

mmMekitty

[Matchy69]

That sounds like a really good system.Not sure how hard that is to implement but certainly would be a much better way to go about it.

[Guest_1643]

That's right and also it can be difficult to know which post is being edited, we may have written a few posts and not remember

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

There is nothing worse for someone who needs to have a voice than to have their voice taken from them and/or twisted.

yes, this!

[Guest_1643]

I think even though all that happens if I use a word or term like si, or sh, is that I get the email from bb,

Still, I feel somehow censored, or like I've said something wrong

Without intending it it creates a feeling in me that I'm bad or dangerous or a threat

So much so that I've subconsciously learned to avoid those words

I think that's a problem, because the words aren't the danger

[tranzcrybe]

Language, appropriateness can be addressed simply with a filter - there ae some potential litigation issues that BB could find themselves embroiled in if exposing young readers to certain behaviours without placing checks and balances.
This brings it all back to accountability where members and readers alike need to register and agree they are of a certain age group. As such, a sliding scale of word/topic filters can redact or 'erase' age inappropriate content, or simply block particular threads/sections.
Perhaps the "young people" section could house such modified posts thus limiting delving into the murky waters of adult issues, but still providing access to the main subject content (albeit not without some risk, but keeping within the auspices of the BB values).
Alas, if the prospect of simply editing one's post is beyond grasp, my hopes (and BC's real time alerts) may be in vain.

[tranzcrybe]

Unanticipated responses may be abated with a qualification at the top to meet the OP's expectations using checkboxes at the time of creation which can equally be selected to filter out unwanted replies and/or content:

My thread is seeking...
Friendly chat/discussion
Emotional support
Advice
Answers
Critical comment
Professional services
Immediate action

Replies can similarly qualify the nature of the response:
I am...
Asking a question
Making a suggestion
Offering my own experience
Providing encouragement
Putting a contrary view
Raising concerns
for which the OP may or may not check to view.

Possibly categories could be allocated not so much for the content but for these desired responses.

The addition of trigger warnings, explicit language advice, and content warnings might offer some protection if placed in a dedicated section:
This section contains (or may contain)...
Inappropriate language
Mature themes
Graphic descriptions
Abuse &/or violence content
Emotionally distressing content
...with the relevant disclaimer or requirement that readers must be registered (through declaration) to be granted access.
This at least places the onus on the reader and alerts them to any potentially harmful material (including the subject of recent posts to this thread) and permits posters to not feel intimidated to express whatever grievance or ailment they choose in the interests of having a voice (notwithstanding targeted abuse).

[Guest_1643]

Ho transcribe

I see value in this

The forums are so broad

So sometimes ppl make their threads for themselves like a diary.other times they want to chat. Could be interesting if there were ways to be direct about this.

[Guest_1643]

Also re being able to unsubscribe from a thread

This is so important

Ppl may post in a thread years ago, and then the content becomes triggering or upsetting

Ecerytime I'm online I'll get notications when and who updated the thread

I get triggered and upset, remembering the difficulties I felt on that thread. Maybe it felt too much, maybe I felt I wasn't in right mindset , who knows....I should be able to have space away and the notifications make it really hard