Community Guidelines
Last Updated: January 2026
Welcome to the Pathways Community!
Pathways is a space where young people can learn, share experiences, and support each other. These guidelines help us maintain a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone.
Our Values
- Respect: Everyone deserves dignity and kindness
- Safety: We prioritize user wellbeing
- Honesty: Share authentic experiences
- Inclusion: All identities, backgrounds, and experiences are welcome
- Harm Reduction: We focus on reducing risks, not judging choices
✅ What We Encourage
Be Respectful
- Treat others the way you want to be treated
- Listen to different perspectives
- Assume good intentions—misunderstandings happen
- Use people's correct names and pronouns
Be Supportive
- Share advice constructively
- Validate others' feelings and experiences
- Celebrate successes together
- Offer resources when appropriate
Be Honest
- Share your genuine experiences
- Be transparent about what you know and don't know
- Correct misinformation kindly
Be Inclusive
- Welcome people from all backgrounds
- Challenge stereotypes and stigma
- Use inclusive language
- Create space for marginalized voices
❌ What's Not Allowed
No Bullying or Harassment
- Do not insult, mock, or belittle other users
- No personal attacks or name-calling
- Do not follow or repeatedly contact someone who has asked you to stop
No Hate Speech or Discrimination
- Do not target people based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, disability, or other identity
- Slurs and derogatory language are not tolerated
- Do not promote hate groups or extremist ideologies
No Illegal Activity
- Do not sell, buy, or trade drugs or other illegal items
- Do not share instructions for illegal activities
- Do not encourage violence or self-harm
Protect Privacy
- Do not share your phone number, address, or other personal contact details
- Do not share others' personal information (doxxing)
- Do not post identifying photos without consent
No Exploitation or Inappropriate Content
- Do not post sexually explicit content
- Do not share violent or graphic images
- Do not exploit, groom, or manipulate others
No Spam or Scams
- Do not spam links or promotional content
- Do not impersonate others or create fake accounts
- Do not phish for personal information
🛡️ Reporting Content
If you see something concerning:
- Click the Report button on the post or comment
- Choose the reason for reporting
- Our moderators will review it promptly
All reports are confidential. Reporting helps keep Pathways safe for everyone.
⚠️ Consequences
Violations may result in:
- Warning: A friendly reminder of the guidelines
- Content removal: Posts or comments that break rules will be removed
- Temporary suspension: Account access paused (typically 7-30 days)
- Permanent ban: For severe or repeated violations
We believe in learning and growth. Most issues can be resolved through conversation and education.
🤝 Conflict Resolution
If you have a disagreement with another user:
- Take a break before responding
- Communicate clearly and calmly
- Use "I" statements ("I feel..." instead of "You always...")
- Consider asking a moderator to mediate
📧 Questions or Appeals
If you have questions about these guidelines or want to appeal a moderation decision:
Email: moderation@ssdp-intl.org
These guidelines apply to all Pathways spaces including forums, comments, and private messages. Thank you for helping us build a supportive community!