1. CORE PRINCIPLES

DB8 is built on the foundation of respectful, intellectual debate. Our community values:

• Respectful Discourse: Engage ideas, not personal attacks
• Good Faith Participation: Debate to learn and share perspectives
• Evidence-Based Arguments: Support claims with credible sources
• Intellectual Honesty: Acknowledge valid points and admit when wrong
• Community Safety: Foster an environment where all can participate

2. ACCEPTABLE CONTENT AND BEHAVIOR

2.1 Encouraged Content

• Thoughtful opinions backed by reasoning
• Respectful disagreement with opposing views
• Constructive criticism of ideas and policies
• Sharing credible sources and evidence
• Questions that promote deeper discussion
• Personal experiences that add valuable context

2.2 Debate-Specific Guidelines

• Stay On Topic: Keep arguments relevant to the debate subject
• Respect Time Limits: Submit responses within designated timeframes
• Honor Debate Structure: Follow agreed-upon format and rules
• Good Sportsmanship: Accept outcomes gracefully
• Substantive Responses: Provide meaningful arguments, not empty rhetoric

3. PROHIBITED CONTENT AND BEHAVIOR

3.1 Harassment and Abuse

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited:

• Personal attacks, insults, or ad hominem arguments
• Bullying, intimidation, or targeted harassment
• Doxxing or sharing personal information without consent
• Threats of violence or harm
• Stalking or unwanted contact
• Coordinated harassment campaigns

3.2 Hate Speech and Discrimination

• Content that promotes hatred based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
• Discriminatory language or slurs
• Content that dehumanizes individuals or groups
• Promotion of hate groups or extremist ideologies

3.3 Illegal Content

• Content that violates federal, state, or local laws
• Promotion of illegal activities
• Copyright infringement or intellectual property violations
• Content involving minors in inappropriate contexts
• Illegal drugs or controlled substance promotion

3.4 Spam and Manipulation

• Repetitive, irrelevant, or off-topic content
• Automated posting or bot activity
• Vote manipulation or coordinated inauthentic behavior
• Excessive self-promotion or commercial content
• Fake accounts or impersonation

3.5 Misinformation and Bad Faith

• Deliberately spreading false information
• Refusing to engage with counter-evidence
• Strawman arguments or misrepresenting opponents' positions
• Trolling or deliberately disruptive behavior
• Bad faith participation in debates

4. MATURE CONTENT GUIDELINES

4.1 Age Restrictions

Users must be 13+ to use the platform. Users under 18 have restricted access to mature content.

4.2 Mature Content Definition

Content that may be inappropriate for users under 18:

• Graphic violence or disturbing imagery
• Sexual content or nudity
• Excessive profanity
• Content depicting illegal drug use
• Detailed discussions of sensitive topics (abuse, suicide, etc.)

4.3 Content Marking

Users creating potentially mature content should:

• Mark posts as "mature" when creating content
• Use content warnings in titles when appropriate
• Consider the broader community when posting sensitive material

5. REPORTING AND ENFORCEMENT

5.1 How to Report Violations

• Use the "Report" button on posts, comments, or profiles
• Select the appropriate violation category
• Provide specific details about the violation
• Include relevant evidence or context

5.2 Enforcement Actions

Violations may result in:

• Content Removal: Deletion of violating posts or comments
• Warnings: Formal notice of policy violations
• Temporary Suspensions: Time-limited account restrictions
• Permanent Bans: Permanent account termination
• Feature Restrictions: Limited access to certain platform features

5.3 Appeals Process

If you believe an enforcement action was taken in error:

• Contact support within 30 days of the action
• Provide specific information about why you believe the action was incorrect
• Appeals are reviewed by our moderation team
• Decision on appeals is final

6. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

6.1 Political Content

Political discussions are welcome but must:

• Focus on policies and ideas, not personal attacks on individuals
• Avoid promoting violence or illegal activities
• Respect diverse political viewpoints
• Maintain civility even during heated discussions

6.2 Religious and Cultural Content

Discussions about religion and culture should:

• Respect diverse beliefs and practices
• Avoid promoting religious hatred or intolerance
• Focus on ideas and beliefs rather than attacking adherents
• Acknowledge the personal nature of religious and cultural identity

6.3 Scientific and Medical Content

• Support claims with credible, peer-reviewed sources
• Acknowledge the difference between scientific consensus and personal opinion
• Avoid promoting dangerous medical misinformation
• Respect expert knowledge while allowing respectful questioning

7. CREATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

DB8rs (content creators) with subscribers have additional responsibilities:

• Set appropriate community standards for their channels
• Moderate subscriber comments and interactions
• Clearly communicate channel rules and expectations
• Handle conflicts and disputes professionally
• Respect subscriber privacy and data

8. PLATFORM INTEGRITY

To maintain platform integrity, users must not:

• Create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions
• Share accounts or allow others to use their accounts
• Attempt to manipulate the platform's ranking or voting systems
• Exploit bugs or security vulnerabilities
• Interfere with other users' enjoyment of the platform

9. EVOLVING GUIDELINES

These guidelines may be updated to address new challenges and community needs. We will:

• Notify users of significant changes
• Consider community feedback on policy updates
• Apply new guidelines fairly and consistently
• Provide clear explanations for policy changes

10. CONTACT AND SUPPORT

For questions about these guidelines or to report violations: