What if an avatar offends you?

Dayton Level 1

March 31, 2014, 3:36 am

6

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On one of the forums where I'm a regular member, I like some forum avatars, but others are downright offensive. These avatars don't really seem to bother forum admin(s), so they stay up and there's little that can be done. It just seems odd how something that is clearly offensive would be allowed up on a public forum.

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NaturalWriter

NaturalWriter

On one of the forums where I'm a regular member, I like some forum avatars, but others are downright offensive. These avatars don't really seem to bother forum admin(s), so they stay up and there's little that can be done. It just seems odd how something that is clearly offensive would be allowed up on a public forum.

I find this a very interesting topic, as there are so many opinions and views on what's offensive.
I'm a pretty easy going, and open minded individual so it takes a lot to really "offend" me. But I like chatting about it.

I have found service images interesting, as some of them are of half naked individuals, or parts coming out of their shirts. Even having an image of something that's not even closely related to what they are trying to sell, could be viewed as offensive.

I personally like seeing the many different avatars (aside from the half naked crap), because it shows what they find humorous, bringing out pieces of their personality. Sometimes individuals like to put certain pictures on so they can create discussion about it... Like a "conversation piece". So many things today are becoming more about censorship, and less about what the people can bring to the table. The ideas they can bring forward, the type of work/service they can provide, etc.

13 years ago

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Asmodeus

Asmodeus

I'd be interested in knowing your definition of "something that is clearly offensive", as I don't think there can be an absolute in this equation, since people are offended by different things. People even go to war over it, literally.

There is a seller here at Seoclerks selling drawings and his sample is one he did of Hitler. Was I offended? No, but I can imagine some people would be. It did make me stop in my tracks and take notice, so maybe that was his intention, in which case he succeeded. Did I report it? No, as it's not up to me to censor the internet.

Different strokes and all that...

13 years ago

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Beverly

Beverly

As a forum admin or owner, it's up to you to decide what avatars are right for your forum. If an avatar is inappropriate by your forum's standards then modify it. Who's to say you can't? Or, just make it so that everyone on your forum can only have pre-approved avatars (such as selecting from a list). This would work on a themed forum such as for sci-fi or cooking.

However, use caution with this approach, as some people love to personalize by using their own avatar. Allow your forum members to use personalized avatars, within reason.

If you are merely visiting a forum and find yourself offended or annoyed over avatars, then turn them off.

13 years ago

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Riley

Riley

Don't make such a big deal about such a little thing or you'll scare off your forum members. They want some freedoms and by taking away these little liberties you make your forum feel like a prison not a home.

13 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

I don't think having a half-naked avatar is offending. What's really offending is what happened during the last elections where some forum members changed their avatar for the benefit of their candidate. It is like forcing politics on us. Particularly in the US with a 2-party system, I don't believe that an avatar of a candidate's face would not be noticed. More likely, the opposing faction would post his own avatar in retaliation so it would be like a battle of avatar by the political candidates. That is what offends me for an avatar. And if I am the admin of the forum, I would instantly message the member using an avatar with the face of a political candidate to change and refrain from doing so.

9 years ago

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