How about you add a little note just above the reply button. Something like:
Does this comment add value/insight/healthy debate to this topic?
Very low tech I know, but sometimes people need a little reminder to think about the tone of their message and how it will be received by the community before they hit that reply button.
Having a reminder whenever you comment could cut down on thoughtless comments. Everyone makes a bad comment every now and then I think, a little nudge in the other direction could be all that's needed in some cases.
Comments
How about you add a little note just above the reply button. Something like:
Very low tech I know, but sometimes people need a little reminder to think about the tone of their message and how it will be received by the community before they hit that reply button.Having a reminder whenever you comment could cut down on thoughtless comments. Everyone makes a bad comment every now and then I think, a little nudge in the other direction could be all that's needed in some cases.
Two improvements:
1. Make it a checkbox people have to check. Just to force people to take one minor action, and read it.
2. Rotate the text with a variety of different statements, just to mix it up:
"Are you being nice?" "Does this contribute to the conversation?" "Following the golden rule here?"
and most importantly:
"Will this get upvoted?"
:P
It's a low tech solution which focuses on fostering community values.
In general, text like that is never read on websites. It just adds clutter.
Totally agreed. I made a similar comment above. I think it'll work.