For many of us, it means we have to build up slightly thicker skins compared to other social media.

Steemit doesn't have moderators like other social media sites. So there isn't somebody able to smite you or others with their mighty BANHAMMER or mute you. For a lot of people, this is a big reason for coming to Steemit. Being free to post and comment as they please, on the topics they want, without the looming threat of their work or even whole topics being shut down. We've already seen this increasingly occur over the years with Facebook, Reddit, Youtube and the like.

So I wanted to touch on a couple of aspects regarding our beloved platform's censorship resistance, what limits there may be and how this effects the general community.

Q: I've been flagged and my posts are now grayed out!!! Isn't this censorship?

Flagged posts have not been deleted, just harder to see here on Steemit. The information itself is still on the blockchain and can be viewed through other platforms that visualize the Steemit blockchain. While overall, the community allows users to post anything, on any topic, where are bounds...specifically what is considered abuse.

Now, please pardon my French, but being an anti-censorship platform DOES NOT mean you can be a complete ASS to other users. The beauty of this place is allowing people with differing views to engage in a meaningful, civil discussion, adding value by providing some logic behind their point. Even if you don't agree, simply being able to understand where somebody else is coming from is extremely useful.

If you simply attack somebody, curse at them, call them names...yea, you're going to get flagged. This adds nothing to the conversation nor the community. You can complain that you're being censored all you want, but the fact is that it's not the viewpoint that's being flagged, it's the presentation.

Q: So I can talk about any topic I want? My pizzagate discussion won't get banned? What about NSFW content?

Steemit doesn't limit you on what you post or comment on. Topics, like pizzagate for example, are free to flourish on here while they get stripped off Reddit and other places. Now that the there are NSFW filters, it's found it's own home on here.

Now, if you have a problem with certain things (like pizzagate, nsfw, etc) ....DON'T CLICK ON IT!!!

It's worth mentioning that there are limits. Certain things are frowned upon by the community at large and will get you flagged. These include posting things that include:

• Known Scams
• Plagiarized Material
• Hate Speech
• Trolling

While there isn't anything in the rules against including referral links in your posts, it's often best to at least make it known that they're referrals. There have been times users were flagged when these links were seen as being hidden in the post. (Referral links earn that person money when a sale, signup, etc occurs after it's been clicked.)

Q: I feel like I've been getting harassed on here...What can I do?

Many of us on here came from places where there was some sort of moderator who watched over things, being able to mute people, ban them, erase messages, etc. Here on Steemit, we really don't that. For the most part, the community moderates itself (Higher reputation and Higher Steem Power do have more say) on what is considered a problem to be dealt with.

On some level, new users to Steemit HAVE to build up slightly thicker skins than they had before. You will be exposed to differing views and some angry people. While abuse isn't allowed, discussions between countering, often passionate viewpoints ARE ENCOURAGED. As a world population, we have to become better at having civil conversations!!

If you are directly being attacked, abused, etc you can hop into the Steemit Abuse Channel within Steemit Chat to ask for their opinion and/or help.

Q: So wait...posts/comment hidden by flags yet Censorship Resistant?

Ok, so Steemit.com, the website, is just one way to view information that is stored in the Steem blockchain. Places like @busy.org, @jesta's ChainBB forum board, @steepshot (like instagram) and soon @zappl (similar to twitter) all interact with the blockchain on their own.

Posts and comments that get grayed out from flags on here ARE NOT deleted from the blockchain itself, meaning the content still exists. It CAN be viewed on some of these other platforms.

On Steemit the community, instead of a 3rd party or centralized figure, can decide to have a piece of content hidden. It's worth noting that in general, Steemit users try NOT to flag, especially whales (yes yes, I know it does happen.)

Over the last year I've come across many posts with somebody complaining about being censored. Since everything we do on here is stored and public...I would follow the trail to get an idea of why. You know what? About 99% of the time...the person that was flagged was being blatantly abusive and/or a complete ass. So it's worth saying again, DON'T be an ASS and then come back whining about being censored. I'll just sit back and laugh at you.

Q: I feel like I have been wrongfully flagged...what should I do?

Often it's best to try and talk with the person that flagged you CALMLY AND NICELY. Starting off something like this with a shouting match never accomplishes anything.

If you find this to be unsuccessful or have a reason to not engage the flagger, go into Steemit Abuse Channel within Steemit Chat and let them know what is going on. Again, maintain a cool and calm demeanor. Going in there ranting and raving doesnt' help anything.

---

Remember that ALL of my guide posts are eligible to be added as entries to the Steem Center Wiki or Operation Translation.

Click here to find out how these can earn you Steem!!

Feel free to ask me anything. I'm here to Help!

I've had slow response times lately, but I try to get a response to every question.

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Are you new to Steemit and Looking for Answers? - Try https://www.steemithelp.net.

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