Whatsapp Chat Guidelines 2025

*Published on 3 January 2025.

We believe in fostering a safe and respectful space where all members can engage openly and share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences. To help us maintain this environment, we are introducing new community guidelines.

These guidelines aim to create a welcoming atmosphere by establishing clear expectations for behavior and content. They promote respectful communication and diverse perspectives while preventing harassment and discrimination. By setting standards for acceptable conduct, these guidelines protect our community from harm and provide a framework for addressing conflicts.

Overall, these new chat guidelines are essential for cultivating a positive and inclusive community.

CHAT GUIDELINES

We believe in creating a safe and respectful space where all members can engage and share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences. Please read our Chat Rules to avoid warnings.

To foster a positive experience within our community, both in-person and online, we kindly ask you to review and adhere to the following guidelines. Your commitment to these standards is crucial in helping us maintain an inclusive and respectful environment.

1. Adhere to Our Mission: Our community is dedicated to uplifting and empowering women. Let us collaborate to establish a positive and supportive environment for all members.

2. Ensure Safety: Our aim is to maintain a safe space for all women. Do not share personal information or the personal details of others without their consent.

3. Provide Constructive Feedback: When delivering feedback or expressing differing opinions, ensure it is constructive. Focus on fostering discussions that promote understanding and growth rather than conflict.

4. Encourage Participation: Invite and motivate quieter members to share their thoughts and experiences. This contributes to creating a dynamic and inclusive community.

5. Celebrate Achievements: Share and acknowledge both personal and collective accomplishments within the community. Recognizing each other’s successes encourages support and motivation.

6. Promote Inclusivity: Embrace the diversity within our community. Welcome differing perspectives and encourage open dialogue. Every voice is important.

7. Be Mindful of Trigger Warnings: Acknowledge that certain topics may be triggering for some members. Use trigger warnings when appropriate to ensure everyone feels safe and respected.

8. Support Mental Health: Approach mental health discussions with empathy and support. Encourage seeking professional help when necessary, and respond considerately when someone shares their challenges.

9. Direct Messages Appropriately: Ensure that your messages are directed only to relevant group chats. Avoid cross-posting in multiple groups to preserve the integrity of discussions.

10. Be Mindful of Language: Use inclusive and respectful language. Recognize that words have impact and strive for kindness in all communications.

CHAT RULES

NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES: Adherence to these rules is crucial for maintaining a respectful and harmonious environment. Violations will result in warnings and further consequences (see Strike System for Violation). To contact a chat admin, click here.

1. Respect Each Other: Our community comprises women from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Please communicate with fellow members respectfully.

2. Respect Moderators: Moderators uphold community guidelines. Do not harass or publicly dispute their decisions. Direct and respectful communication is encouraged for any concerns. If you have concerns, you can DM a moderator to continue a discussion.

3. No Hate Speech: Hate speech, discriminatory language, or harassment of any kind is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism.

4. No Slander: Slander of individuals is strictly prohibited.

5. Reporting Businesses or Individuals: Reporting is only permitted if it poses a danger to members' experiences. Prior to message, seek the advice of our admin.

6. Adverts Must Be Pre-Approved: Advertisements or promotional content require prior admin approval. For advertising, read Advertising On Chats or speak to our chat admin here.

7. No Data Gathering or Polls: To protect member privacy, obtain explicit admin permission before conducting data gathering or polls. Unauthorized sharing will result in warnings, with repeated offenses leading to removal. For advertising a data collection form, read Advertising On Chats or speak to our chat admin here.

8. Confidentiality Matters: Maintain the confidentiality of group discussions. Do not share information outside the group without permission.

9. Report Issues: Promptly report any guideline violations using this form or speak to our chat admin here to ensure a safe and respectful environment.

10. No Spamming: Avoid spamming the chat with irrelevant or repetitive messages. This includes posting identical messages multiple times or sharing off-topic content. Refer to Community Standard Spam for more details.

11. Sharing Photos of Children: Exercise caution when sharing photos of children. Prioritize their privacy and safety by avoiding personal details and being selective about shared content.

12. No Trolling: Trolling or causing disruption is not tolerated. We strive to maintain a positive and supportive environment for all women.

    
    

These guidelines are subject to change. Updates will be communicated to members as necessary.

COMMUNITY STANDARD SPAM

The following behaviors are considered spam and will result in warnings (refer to Strike System for Violations) unless otherwise specified in the group chat's description:

1. Promotion: Self-promotion of personal or business pages is prohibited unless explicitly requested by members or by answering a member's request for promotion/recommendations. To request for approval for your ads, refer to Advertising On Chats guideline.

2. Repetitive messages: Sending identical messages multiple times in a row or to various subgroups are not allowed.

3. Unnecessary tagging: Tagging users in messages that do not involve them directly is prohibited.

4. Direct messages: Messages intended for specific users and not involving others should be sent as direct messages.

5. Unsolicited messages: Sending messages to users who did not ask for or consent to receiving them is not allowed.

6. Misleading content: Including links that promise one type of content but deliver something substantially different is prohibited.

7. Like/share requests: Posts that require users to like, share, or engage with content.

8. Like/share-gating: Landing pages that require users to like, share, or engage with content before gaining access to it are not allowed.

9. Deceptive redirect behaviour: Websites that require an action (e.g., captcha, watch the ad, click here) to view expected landing page content and domains that change after the required action is completed, are prohibited.

ADVERTISING ON CHATS

Messages that are adverts must go through admins to ensure that our community remains a safe and respectful space for everyone. Admins are responsible for ensuring that all content shared in the community is relevant, appropriate, and follows our guidelines. If members are allowed to post advertisements without being vetted by admins, it could lead to spamming, irrelevant content, and potential scams or unsafe practices. By having admins review and approve advertisements, we can ensure that our community remains a trustworthy source of information and a positive environment for all members. Additionally, it allows for equal opportunity for all members to share their products or services and prevents any unfair advantages.

To advertise via our chats, fill in the form here or an admin find out more information here.

STRIKE SYSTEM FOR VIOLATIONS 

Individuals who do not adhere to the non-negotiable rules will receive one warning. Accumulating three warnings will lead to suspension from the sub chat, while five warnings will result in removal from the WhatsApp Community, with no refunds being processed.

If the admin observes inactivity for a period of six months, you may be removed with or without prior notice.

To report a violation, fill in this form or speak to our chat admin here to ensure a safe and respectful environment.

SPOT ANY DISCREPANCIES?

We're here to help you! If you ever come across any discrepancies or need to get in touch with our community managers, please feel free to send us an email at hello@womenofhongkong.com or speak to our chat admin here.

Thank you for being a part of our community!