Distributed moderation
Encyclopedia
Distributed moderation is a form of comment moderation
that allows the users to moderate each other. Distributed moderation comes in two types: User Moderation and Spontaneous Moderation.
When a website utilizes a function to allow user-generated submissions to be posted on the site (such as a comment system), there are three basic choices about how that content will be moderated: first, by the website owner unilaterally deleting/editing posts (unilateral moderation); second, by the users being given the option of voting other users' submissions up or down (user moderation); and third, by allowing no official moderation, which results in other users moderating through the use of responding to others' comments (spontaneous moderation). The latter two, user moderation and spontaneous moderation, are examples of distributed moderation.
Distributed moderation is an example of crowdsourcing
, and as such suffers from groupthink
. Although it is a more fair system than unilateral moderation, it is not necessarily more free; unpopular comments in a distributed moderation setting are often removed or otherwise hidden, even in circumstances where unilateral moderation might have left the comment alone.
Wikipedia
is an example of distributed moderation.
Moderation system
On Internet websites which invite users to post comments, a moderation system is the method the webmaster chooses to sort contributions which are irrelevant, obscene, illegal, or insulting with regards to useful or informative contributions....
that allows the users to moderate each other. Distributed moderation comes in two types: User Moderation and Spontaneous Moderation.
When a website utilizes a function to allow user-generated submissions to be posted on the site (such as a comment system), there are three basic choices about how that content will be moderated: first, by the website owner unilaterally deleting/editing posts (unilateral moderation); second, by the users being given the option of voting other users' submissions up or down (user moderation); and third, by allowing no official moderation, which results in other users moderating through the use of responding to others' comments (spontaneous moderation). The latter two, user moderation and spontaneous moderation, are examples of distributed moderation.
Distributed moderation is an example of crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is the act of sourcing tasks traditionally performed by specific individuals to a group of people or community through an open call....
, and as such suffers from groupthink
Groupthink
Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within groups of people. It is the mode of thinking that happens when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without...
. Although it is a more fair system than unilateral moderation, it is not necessarily more free; unpopular comments in a distributed moderation setting are often removed or otherwise hidden, even in circumstances where unilateral moderation might have left the comment alone.
See also
- Moderation systemModeration systemOn Internet websites which invite users to post comments, a moderation system is the method the webmaster chooses to sort contributions which are irrelevant, obscene, illegal, or insulting with regards to useful or informative contributions....
- Meta-moderation systemMeta-moderation systemA meta-moderation system is an arrangement used on some Internet websites which invite user comments.Users rate how good a job moderators are doing. The most famous site with such a feature is Slashdot...
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Its 20 million articles have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world. Almost all of its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the site,...
is an example of distributed moderation.