Bully Wiki:Block

*Blocking* is the method by which Administrators and Bureaucrats may technically prevent users from editing on Bully Wikia. Blocks are used to prevent damage or disruption to the wiki. It is also meant to punish any user who violated our Rules and Policy.

Any user may request another user to be blocked for violating rules, by simply going to the Community Noticeboard, or by contacting a Administrator or an Bureaucrat and then reporting the rule violation. Blocked users can appeal the block by using their talk pages. If they are blocked indefinitely or banned, then they cannot appeal.

## Something to keep in mind

No two situations are ever going to be exactly alike, and one of the hallmarks of a successful administrator is the ability to observe a situation where blocking might be in order and decide how harshly the offending user should be dealt with.

Except in the case of egregious vandalism, an administrator should observe the history of the offending editor's editing. If an editor seems to be trying hard, it may be safe to assume that the editor simply wasn't aware of the policy s/he was breaking, and a polite post to the talk page with a link to the violated policy should be sufficient. If a user has a talk page full of warnings or an editing history full of problem edits, the administrator should be stricter.

"Good Faith", to quote a phrase, should not require one to don blinders and lower one's IQ by fifty points.

If you see a user who is violating our rules and policies, **do not warn that user s/he will be blocked.** Instead, you must go report this user to a Patroller, Administrator, and/or Bureaucrat. They will take care of the situation as they have authority.

## Blocking Policies

* Good faith will be extended to most users on the assumption they may not be familiar with wiki etiquette in general, and first instances will most likely be reverted with a warning. However, administrators are free to use their discretion on whether to block or not based on the virulence of the vandalism.
* Block length should reflect the violation of rule. Blocks longer than one week should not be placed without prior discussion.
* If a user or an IP has been blocked before for vandalism, and continues vandalism in further edits, then that user will be recognised as a vandal only user or IP, and will be blocked indefinitely.
* The length of blocks is subject to discretion and the type of vandalism. Hate speech and advocation of illegal activities, for example, will result in a ban than the standard insertion of gibberish.
* When a user is blocked, it is required by policy for the Bureaucrat or Administrator issuing the block to leave a message on that user's talkpage explaining the block, and if possible a link to the specific 'dif' that warranted the block.
* Blocked users on their first block should *not* be blocked with talk page access disabled.
* Sometimes two admins will disagree on a block issued. Rather then change the block and end up in a wheel war, the admin who disagrees with a block is advised to discuss with the blocking admin on their talkpage.

## Block Lengths

For repeat offending users, blocks should be of escalating length.

* First block should be between 1 day and 1 week.
* Second block should be between 3 days and 1 month.
* Third block should be indefinite, pending the blocked user agreeing to follow the rules in the future.

If a sufficient amount of time has passed between unacceptable edits, an administrator may choose to block for a shorter duration, or even start off with a warning as opposed to a block. There is no hard set rule for dealing with this, administrators should use their best judgement, ask their fellow administrators or the community, or both.