What to do when Facebook group members are badgering other members

In a previous blog post, I talked about what I do when Facebook members harass me (as admin).

But, what should you do if a group member (or members) is harassing other members?

It is really important for you to have a plan of action in case this occurs, especially if your group discusses highly sensitive or personal matters, which many do.

First of all, make sure your rules are crystal clear.

Here are some rule examples pertaining to the sanctity of the group:

• Do not share screenshots from the group anywhere, including in other groups, on your personal profile, or via text to others.
• Do not disparage the group, its members, or its moderators or admins, including in other groups, on your personal profile, or via text to others.
• Posts that serve the sole purpose to incite or inflame will not be tolerated.

Second of all, make sure the consequences to breaking rules are also crystal clear.

Here are some examples of language you can use for consequences:

• This is a privately-run group. Membership is a privilege. If you disparage the admins, moderators, or the group in general within the group, on other local social media groups, in real life, etc., you risk removal.
• Do not share screenshots from this group into other groups, on your own page, or personally via text, etc. Members who are found to be doing this will be removed and blocked without warning.
• Trollers and those who make personal attacks, threats, or otherwise use hateful speech will be removed immediately and will be blocked from the group without warning.

You might want to also provide information about reporting crime directly in the group description – for example:

• See questionable activity? Please report it to the Police: [insert phone number]

Watch out for new members who may not have your best interest in mind.

Sometimes, when an admin takes a stand on behalf of their group or its rules, a member may take their anger to the next level. It’s not uncommon to have group members “rebel” by inviting other people into the group to cause group chaos or to get screenshots to share elsewhere. Although a despicable display of humanity, I have heard of this happening more times than I can count.

If you’ve had recent drama in your Facebook group and there is an influx of pending members, you might want to pay extra attention to who is trying to enter your group, and consider their motivations.

Sometimes, you need to lock down the group, temporarily, to prevent further damage.

Steps you can take:

1. If it’s not already, put the group on post approval. This will allow you to fully control any new posts but members can still comment on existing posts. Here’s how:

• From your News Feed, click Groups in the left menu and select your group.
• Click Settings in the left menu.
• Scroll down to Manage Discussion
• Click the radio button next to “Approve all Member Posts” and  then click Save.

  

2. If it’s on post approval, put the group on admin/mod post only. You might choose this option if you are getting a huge influx of pending posts and you need to stop the flow. This will prevent people from even submitting a post for approval and only admins can create new posts in the group.

This is another calming tool to consider. If you choose this option, remember that members can still comment on existing posts. Here’s how to do it:

• From your News Feed, click Groups in the left menu and select your group.
• Click Settings in the left menu.
• Scroll down to Manage Discussion – Who can Post
• Click the radio button next to “Only Admins” and  then click Save.

  

3. “Hide” the group. This means the group is ONLY visible to members and will not show up in any searches on or off of Facebook, thereby preventing potential new members from seeing it. Just know that if you do this, nobody can join but current members can still invite members. Here’s how:

• From your News Feed, click Groups in the left menu and select your group.
• Click Settings in the left menu.
• Click edit icon next to Hide Group.
• Click “Visible or Hidden” and then click Save.
• Note: Group members won’t receive a notification when you change the group to visible or hidden.

  

I hope you never have to use these tips, but it’s important to know you have options if and when the time comes. You can also check out this information from Facebook on managing member conflict.

Have you ever had to manage Facebook group members harassing other members?

What tips do you have? Leave them in the comments!