How do we handle this?
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Robert Cummings
A tad off topic perhaps, but I wonder if it would be worth adding an option for users to hide explicit rambles similar to the setting for AI content? Granted this does rely on people tagging their rambles but people do seem generally good at doing it. That way, people could choose not to engage with explicit content if they so wish.
Landon 205
I totally agree with harmony finder here! It’s just best that that we ignore ignore. Unless it’s something that someone had done to you that was really bad, then yes tell him on reader. It’s like when you’re at an elementary school, and you’re playing on the playground, and then all of a sudden you get hit with a stone or get pushed over. And it hurts! What do you do? You tell a teacher. It’s simple as 123. 
Harmony Finder
The only thing i’ll say further on this, is that way way too much attention is being given to those who are causing a problem. People continuing to comment on their post, people making their own posts about it. they don’t have to do anything more. They are getting all the attention they want. We can support the app and the moderators by not fueling it. Just ignore and scroll by.
LordLundin
Phox
In other words, you don't have to hold the record button and the hint/Documentation need to reflect that. LL, you can just double tap the button and it will lock
Phox
testflight, still says:, First version!, Note that voiceover users should double tap and hold for recording functions; lock features will come soon. The record button voiceover hint also says something like that. Maybe the hint could be: "tap to lock or double tap and hold to record, then release to send."
LordLundin
Gordon
Gordon
Matthew Jon Moran
Gothic Faerie
I hope this app never goes away. It’s absolutely amazing. My all-time favorite. Anyway, you and your moderators are doing just fine and I think you should just keep going as you are and everyone else will eventually figure out how to deal along the way. as an example I have blocked multiple people for multiple reasons and like you said yes this means I see less content but for me I am absolutely fine with that. I choose to remove the energy that doesn’t fit me around me so I can feel more comfortable with the energy of others that I do get along with, and I am absolutely happy with that. I know some people feel bad about blocking, but there’s nothing wrong with it. That’s the point of having that feature to control what you do and do not want to deal with. People just need to chill out and have a good time.
Haley2026
Brice Belcher
Some people are really that dumb as to not use the block feature. It's there for a reason.
Nicole a.k.a. the Brassknucklebeauty
This is just something for folks to think about — really think about the words being read aloud to you. Bullying and harassment don’t just affect one person. They affect the entire community. Platforms didn’t create the block button as a moderation strategy. They created it as a personal safety tool. Blocking limits exposure — it does not stop behavior or protect the space as a whole. If blocking were enough, there wouldn’t be community standards, reporting systems, or enforcement. Those exist because harassment is a behavior issue, not a visibility issue. Blocking protects one screen. Moderation is meant to protect everyone. And this matters: when moderators don’t have the training to address harm clearly and respectfully, public responses can unintentionally dismiss or minimize people’s experiences. In a public-facing space, tone and clarity aren’t optional — they’re part of the responsibility. When the people meant to protect the community minimize harm, trust breaks down. So here’s a constructive offer. I’m willing to create a short training for the moderation team — free 99 — focused on managing expectations and how to address the public in a way that’s clear, neutral, and actually received by participants on this app. Blocking is a tool. Standards are the strategy. Accountability is the work. If blocking actually solved bullying, we wouldn’t still be having this conversation.
Nicole a.k.a. the Brassknucklebeauty
Yeah, I say the same messaging to over 10,000+ followers on multiple apps. And having decorum is a thing! Being respectful is a thing!! The boot strap mentality was created through white supremacy!! Ignorant people do ignorant things! And bullying is one of those things!! As someone that works with blind youth, I teach them how to have agency and speak up for themselves yet on social media platforms mediocre people like yourself don’t understand that actions have consequences without clearly defined goals, clearly defined rules and clearly defined consequences. Then people move weirdly! So you keep on keeping on I’ll stay in my lane and you stay in yours! You know that’s how I didn’t have to reduce myself to name-calling or saying that I should go back somewhere. That’s what critical thinking requires. 
Nicole a.k.a. the Brassknucklebeauty
Fun fact, I never went to the blind school. I lived in the real world where guess what people that say and do things like this have consequences and you can tell that you didn’t read through my post!! 
James
Gordon
You're not at the blind school anymore Nicole, you're now existing in the real world remember that. People aren't there to make your world perfect for you just because you think that they should because you're blind. Blocking is always your first level of defense because the feature is here for that purpose. Shame on the damn blind schools because we keep having to repeat ourselves out here the same thing over and over again because people just don't get it. Block block block block block block block block block block block block block block block block block block block block 
Gordon
I really hope you're not out there representing the blind community Nicole because this is bad. Yes, I would definitely tell someone that I love to block anyone that they couldn't deal with. If they block the person and that still doesn't work, then other measures can be taken. Anybody will tell you that, so you must not have a whole lot of real world experience. If you report someone to the police for making harassing phone calls, the police are going to ask you one question have you asked that person to stop and have you taken reasonable measures to stop them that are available to you. If you haven't taken those reasonable measures then they are going to encourage that you do so. If you have taken those reasonable measures and they have failed to work, then the police would get involved. God I feel like I'm talking to a kindergarten. 
Nicole a.k.a. the Brassknucklebeauty
I know some of you are going to disagree with this. Before you do, pause. When people say, “If you signed up for social media, you signed up for this,” no — I didn’t. I signed the terms of service agreement. Those rules exist for a reason. If this were someone you knew or loved, would you really tell them to “just block people” while they’re being harassed? Because that’s not strength — that’s victim-blaming. Blocking is a tool. It’s a personal boundary. It was never meant to manage or stop harm inside a community. And it doesn’t matter if you have one follower or one million — everyone deserves a basic expectation of safety under the rules we all agreed to. What’s making this worse is moderator tone. Telling people to “grow up” or “grow a pair” isn’t leadership — it’s escalation. Moderators aren’t here to dismiss harm; they’re here to mitigate it. Explicit content is one issue. Ongoing harassment and bullying is another. Both require clarity, consistency, and follow-through. And let’s be very clear about this: it is not up to a moderator’s personal feelings, beliefs, or emotional reactions to decide whether a rule was broken. Enforcement isn’t based on vibes, toughness, or a “just deal with it” mindset. It’s based on the standards YOU set and the rules YOU agreed to enforce. Right now, the people breaking the rules aren’t being checked. The people calling it out are. That’s backwards. If YOU are the creator or part of the moderation team, YOU have to take the emotionality out of it and apply the terms of service exactly as written. That means clearly defining what counts as bullying and what counts as harassment — no guesswork, no moving goalposts. If everyone is confused about the rules, how are we supposed to move forward? Clear rules stop chaos. Vibes don’t. And yes — this is literally what I do. I work with corporations and organizations on crisis response, moderation breakdowns, and harm mitigation. A post like this, with this level of clarity, is typically a $3,000 deliverable in an active crisis situation. You’re welcome. If blocking fixed bullying, we wouldn’t still be having this conversation.
Haley2026
Gina
I'm so excited that eventually we'll be able to have our posts only go to followers. You handled this post well Josh.
Haley2026
Phox
Josh, this is a great platform, and takes a lot of time and energy to maintain. The users first line of defense is block block block 🎼 which unfortunately some have an inability or unwillingness to handle problems themselves. I would however like to see some tools in the hangouts. Maybe a report function that clips the last 30 seconds of audio to send along with a report. Tools only work if people are encouraged to use them. Thanks for listening, and keep doing good work.
LordLundin
Just wanted to show my agreement with the other posters. You are doing a good job, and self policing is generally the best a small volunteer platform such as this can do. Keep it up ma'am!
Jayson Tyler
I love this ap. Good resource
Rachel K
I’ve been suggesting this around the place for awhile. Block. If people don’t want to use the block feature, well, it’s honestly their problem. Is a shame that some people have to be so nasty but I guess that’s what society is these days on and off-line. People just have to learn how to use the block button and if they can’t, well, I guess, they will have to put up with it. There’s no other way. There’s people here that just want to stir and create drama because they seem to have nothing better to do with there lives and want to beef themselves up because they are insecure about something. I’m seeing this from one user mainly right now. Yes, I have blocked the others so I’m not really seing it from anyone else right now
Haley2026
hey everyone, raise your hands if you been using this app corectly, where you at
Haley2026
landon that was a good analogy and you have a good day as well.
Landon 205
Haley2026
please don't take this app down, you'll be letting the antaganists win and that's bad
Boston Beanstalk
Cool. I’m excited about the new features!
DAJones
OK, so I think that you are doing an incredible job. I realize that there are crybabies and they exist everywhere. I understand that this is a very dense community in the sense that there are a lot of blind people and little place for them to hide or run to. But that does not give them the right to cry on your shoulder every time something doesn’t go exactly their way. I think again you’re doing a phenomenal job here and I say keep up the good work. However, if these crybabies are not happy then maybe we need to take the app down. That might shut them up. And of course you’ll then see them bellyaching about wanting the app back. So it’s a no win for you, Josh! I do not envy you! I empathize with you as a developer. I wish I could help you. Whatever you do, you have my respect! My hats off to you. 
Matthew J
Just going to add a tiny thing which is slightly tangential, but I think it’s important. There’s nothing saying that Josh can’t shut this whole thing down. And to be honest, most of us probably wouldn’t blame him. Part of convincing him and the moderation team not to just walk away as of course, being a normal, respectful Adult. The other part is to donate. Words are easy, and it’s very quick and simple to say that you love the app and you’re using it all the time. But for those who have the means, I think demonstrating that appreciation does more. Just throwing that out there.
Matthew Jon Moran
Casey
Oh, oh dear oh dear I called you a name! Oh my God life is over! Now make a post all about it! Show us your meltdown. Your complete mental collapse.
Casey
Lol! Hey at least my screen name isn't, "show me your kitties. Prick.
The AI wizard
Maybe make it so if you unblock someone you can’t block them again for a wee
Haley2026
i agree with ciara.
James
Gordon
Ciara
Psst…
I mean… Casey is stupid but he doesn't let that bother him. 😉
Casey
I mean, seriously, how old are we? You get butt hurt because somebody called you stupid? I mean dude come on. Are you in the fourth grade? We're all adults here, or should be. Use the block button, and get over it. Good Lord.
Gordon
Haley2026
this app is so amazing, i met some pretty good people on here, thanks josh and dale and the rest
Gordon
Jasmin
This app is amazing and thanks to it I've been able to meet some great people and make some friends that I would've never made if it wouldn't have existed. You're all doing an amazing job. No matter what you're never going to be able to please everyone, and it's incredible how easily people can be sensitive and be offended when we are all on social media and this is to be expected. As you've mentioned before you've given us the tools and the block button, it's there whenever we need it people just have to start using it. 
Haley2026
i'm sorry josh i lost my temper with skysong, i am so sorry, i vowed to never lose my temper on here
Gordon
I mean there are users out here that definitely don't have the mental capacity to handle themselves in the big open world like this. They just don't, and they probably shouldn't be in spaces like this. I mean I'm just taking the logical common sense approach. If he turned this place into a funny farm happy go lucky type of place, people would really lose interest. Some of these people do have the mindset of third and fourth graders out here and even though you tell them that the block feature is available they can use it and to stay away from hangouts where they might be called names, they just don't have the mental capacity to do that.