Unpaid and Abused: Moderators Speak Out Against Reddit (engadget.com)

In a joint investigation, Engadget and Point spoke to 10 Reddit moderators, and all of them complained that Reddit is systematically failing to tackle the abuse they suffer. Keeping the front page of the internet clean has become a thankless and abusive task, and yet Reddit's administration has repeatedly neglected to respond to moderators who report offenses. From the report: "I've had a few death threats," said Emily, who asked to be referred to by her first name and her Reddit username, lolihull, to prevent the online harassment from spilling over into her real life. [...] "I had three death threats this past month," said abrownn, who moderates r/Futurology, with more than 13 million subscribers, and r/technology, with more than 6 million subscribers. abrownn asked only to be known by their username. All the moderators interviewed confirmed they had received death threats, which they said can take a toll.

[...] It's hard to pin down how many moderators there are: Even the moderators themselves don't know, but most estimate their numbers are into the tens of thousands. Some spend hours each day working for free on the site. Whatever the actual figure, they far outnumber the higher-ranking and paid administrators, whose job it is to respond to the evidence that the moderators collect.

Comments

Volunteer Moderators are dumb

[bobstreo]

You can't get a tax write off for your time spent herding assholes on reddit as a moderator. If you have a need to help, volunteer at a library, food bank, or soup kitchen.

Reddit's business model heavily depends on people being so power hungry and loyal that they don't get paid for what is for some a full time job. As time goes on, the power hungry become somewhat insane, until they are deposed or regain their senses.

Re:Volunteer Moderators are dumb

[Opportunist]

Personally, I think that many people prefer to live in an echo chamber where they see their own views reflected by those around them. That can be the case in boards and forums where those with conflicting opinions (conflicting with those of board ops) can easily be eliminated. Finding unbiased boards that actually allow a sensible exchange of diverging ideas has become rare. On many of the more insane ones, "diverging idea" already means "didn't drink the whole jug of kool-aid alone".

And that's sad. I mean, let's be honest here, we often found ourselves on the opposite ends of opinions. And yes, I do enjoy it. I already know my opinion, I don't need anyone else to have the same. That doesn't help me, it's great to feel supported, but in the end, it's not going to allow me to see a different angle. And I have to verify my view against that presented by another one. That's not always comfortable, because it just might give one input one didn't consider when forming an opinion.

But it sure leads to a better view of the whole picture.

And yes, that also means dealing with fringe views like religious nuts or nazis. Although, I have to admit, that's more a guilty pleasure of mine rather than trying to get sensible input, because usually what I take from a conversation with one of them is "Well, I might not have everything right. But at least I'm not THAT wrong."

It's a bit like watching afternoon TV with dysfunctional families.

Moderators are often out of control

[EmperorOfCanada]

There is something wrong with people who are moderating 100+ subs. Often they have an agenda/axe to grind and moderate for the sake of power. Some subs are moderated very well but many have mods that are completely missing the point of their being there. Paid shills are rife in some subs where other people are banned for posting unambiguous facts that don't line up with the moderators tastes.

But unless there is a sub for people who spend 150 hours a week on redit moderators need to be cut way back in what they can do. Limit the number of subs any individual can moderate. Have a team who replace moderators who are clearly abusing their power.

And if that team has any spare resources, fight the shills, especially the chemical company shills.

Reddit is the new Usenet

[houghi]

Reddit is what Usenet was. With a worse interface and images. It also made it impossible to follow a discussion.

And the majority of groups are not interesting to you. So concentrate on the ones thar are, if you can find them.

Re:Never understood why people want to be moderato

[AmiMoJo]

You mean like people who moderate Slashdot?

People want to build communities, for companionship and socializing or for free and open debate in a marketplace of ideas. Both of those things require moderation, and for people who get a lot from those communities it's a reasonable trade to make.

Quit = Problem Solved?

[CoolDiscoRex]

If i understand correctly, they aren't getting paid, and thus have nothing to lose besides being moderators. Yet, being moderators is valuable enough for them to endure no pay and death threats.

People desiring the power of a moderator that much, have historically rubbed people the wrong way ie. the kid who helps the teacher enforce rules.

I am 100% for worker's rights. However, being that they can leave at any time, with zero penalty (other than, you know, not getting to moderate), I struggle to sympathize here. People who crave the ability to exert power over others to the extent that they will endure death threats, for nothing, have issues of their own. It's kind of unsurprising that they evoke strong emotions from those with an equally strong hatred of being controlled. I mean, wars have been fought for less.

Very well paid moderators: 'owned' subreddits

[that this is not und]

I know from personal experience that, for one example, the AlbionOnline (MMO game) subreddit is controlled and operated by employees of Sandbox Interactive, the company that makes and sells the game. They quash any meaningful criticism of the game in the Reddit forums.

So that is an example of heavy bias in a Reddit forum where the mods are quite well paid for their effort.