At Mountain Interactive, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all players. We understand that online platforms, particularly those with interactive and multiplayer elements, can sometimes lead to negative experiences such as bullying or harassment. That’s why we have clear policies and tools in place to address these issues and ensure that our community remains a positive space for everyone, especially children and teens. This guide outlines what bullying and harassment look like, how to report it, and what steps Mountain Interactive takes to address these behaviors.
1. What is Bullying and Harassment?
Bullying and harassment can take many forms in online environments, including:
Verbal harassment: Using abusive language, threats, or insults.
Targeted harassment: Continuously picking on, targeting, or isolating one player through messages, gameplay actions, or in-game communication.
Exclusion: Intentionally excluding someone from in-game activities or group interactions to hurt or isolate them.
Spamming: Repeatedly sending messages or engaging in actions meant to annoy or overwhelm a player.
Inappropriate behavior: This includes any form of offensive content, such as discriminatory language or actions based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics.
At Mountain Interactive, we define these behaviors as violations of our community guidelines and take them very seriously.
2. Tools to Prevent Bullying and Harassment
Mountain Interactive offers several tools that allow players and parents to protect themselves and report negative interactions when they arise. These tools include:
Mute and Block: Players can mute or block other users to prevent them from sending messages, voice communications, or engaging with them in the game. This feature is available in both game settings and on the platform’s messaging system.
Private Settings: By adjusting account privacy settings, you can control who can interact with your child in the game. This can limit unwanted messages or invites from players they don’t know.
Restricted Communication: You can limit your child’s ability to receive private messages or friend requests from anyone not on their friends list, creating a safer environment for younger players.
3. How to Report Bullying and Harassment
If your child experiences bullying or harassment, it’s essential to report it immediately so that our team can take action. Here’s how you can report an issue:
In-Game Reporting: Mountain Interactive allows players to report bullying or inappropriate behavior directly from within the game. By selecting the offending player’s profile, you can choose the “Report” option and provide details of the incident.
Website Reporting: If the harassment occurs outside the game (such as on our forums or other platforms), you can report it using our online reporting system on the Mountain Interactive website. The report can be submitted to our moderation team for review.
Discord Reporting: If your child is facing harassment within our Discord server, the Volunteer Moderation Team can handle these reports. Use the Discord “Ticket” system to file a complaint and provide as much detail as possible, including screenshots, dates, and descriptions of the harassment.
Tip: Encourage your child to talk to you if they feel uncomfortable with any interaction they’ve had. Open communication is key to identifying and addressing bullying early.
4. What Happens After You Report Bullying or Harassment?
Once a report is filed, our Volunteer Moderation Team and Mountain Interactive employees—who are under strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)—review the case to determine the appropriate action. Here’s an outline of our process:
Investigation: Our team thoroughly investigates the report, reviewing any relevant messages, actions, or logs associated with the incident. This includes checking chat records, gameplay actions, and any evidence submitted with the report.
Warnings or Penalties: Depending on the severity of the bullying or harassment, Mountain Interactive may issue:
Warnings for first-time or minor offenses.
Temporary bans for more serious incidents.
Permanent bans for repeated or extreme violations, such as ongoing harassment, hate speech, or threats.
Notification: Once a decision is made, both the reporting player and the offending player will be notified of the action taken. For privacy reasons, we do not disclose all details of the case but ensure that appropriate measures are in place to prevent future issues.
5. Encouraging Positive Behavior
At Mountain Interactive, we believe that education and positive reinforcement are crucial for creating a respectful community. To foster good behavior, we:
Implement a Warning System: In many cases, especially with younger players, we issue warnings and encourage education instead of immediate bans. This helps children and teens understand why their behavior was inappropriate and gives them a chance to improve.
Enforce a Zero-Tolerance Policy: For severe offenses like hate speech, explicit harassment, or violence, we enforce a zero-tolerance policy. Players who engage in such behaviors may face immediate bans, and their accounts may be permanently suspended from the platform.
Foster Community Respect: We regularly promote respect, inclusivity, and positive interactions through our game announcements, website forums, and social media. Our Volunteer Moderation Team also serves as role models, demonstrating what good behavior looks like in our games and community spaces.
6. Supporting Your Child
It’s essential to talk with your child about their online experiences regularly. Here are some tips for supporting your child if they encounter bullying or harassment:
Listen without judgment: Make sure your child feels comfortable sharing their concerns and experiences without fear of punishment or embarrassment.
Educate about safe online behavior: Help your child understand how to use the tools available to them, such as blocking, muting, and reporting players who are causing harm.
Stay engaged: Monitor your child’s gaming activity using the tools provided by Mountain Interactive. Review their friends list, check their communication settings, and ensure they are using privacy controls effectively.
Contact support: If you’re concerned about your child’s well-being due to bullying or harassment, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Customer Support Team for additional help.
7. Additional Resources for Parents
Mountain Interactive offers a Parent Resource Hub where you can find additional information about online safety, how to handle bullying, and other tips for keeping your child safe online. We also recommend reviewing our Mountain Interactive Community Guidelines to better understand what behavior is expected in our games.
Final Thoughts
At Mountain Interactive, we believe that every player deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued. By providing tools for monitoring behavior, reporting inappropriate actions, and fostering an inclusive community, we aim to create an environment where bullying and harassment are not tolerated. Together with parents and our dedicated moderation team, we’re committed to making Mountain Interactive a positive experience for all players.
If you ever need assistance or have concerns about bullying or harassment, please contact us at [email protected], or use our in-game reporting tools to report an issue directly.