Ban, Report, Escalate
Practical training using DefenderNet tools and real-world moderation scenarios.
Key Takeaways
After completing this module you will understand the following key concepts.
- Decide when to ban, report, or escalate harmful behavior
- Use platform reporting tools effectively (Discord and Minecraft)
- Recognize when a situation requires external escalation
- Understand how tools like DefenderNet support moderation workflows
The Decision Framework
When harmful behavior is identified, moderators need to decide how to respond. Most situations involve one or more of three actions:
Ban
Restrict a user's access to protect your community from ongoing or repeated harm.
Report
Document harmful behavior so it can be reviewed by the platform or relevant systems.
Escalate
Involve external organizations or authorities when behavior is serious, illegal, or poses immediate risk.
When to Take Each Action
Ban when:
- •A user is causing harm or violating community rules
- •Behavior is repeated, targeted, or escalating
- •There is a risk to other users if no action is taken
Report when:
- •The behavior violates platform policies
- •You want the platform to review or take action
- •You need a record of the incident
Escalate when:
- •The situation involves exploitation, abuse, or illegal activity
- •A user may be at immediate risk
- •The issue goes beyond what platform moderation can handle
Reporting issues to Discord and Minecraft:
When using Discord, suspicious harmful behavior can be reported inside of Discord or to the “Trust & Safety Team”. Select the Message you wish to report. On mobile, hold down on the Message, and on desktop, “right-click” from there you can select “Report Message”.
It is important to select the type of violation that you have encountered. The next screen will allow you to further identify the specific policy violation that's occurring. You can always click back and change your first answer, so you can select the most relevant category. For more information on controlling your experience and learning more about how to report content or behavior to discord please check out this link:
Discord Reporting Guidance →On Minecraft, you can report either a player for inappropriate behavior or a server itself if it violates the Usage Guidelines. Depending on which version you use (Bedrock or Java), the report process might be slightly different. You can check the guide to reporting players from Bedrock or Java. Alternatively using a web browser, you can also use the unified Report a Concern Form, where you can specify under ‘Reason for concern’ that the report is about child sexual exploitation or abuse.
On Minecraft, you can report either a player for inappropriate behavior or a server itself if it violates the Usage Guidelines.
Escalating beyond platform reporting
Where content is serious or illegal, you may need to go beyond the game itself and escalate further. This is where external reporting becomes both critical and vital.
Platforms cannot handle everything alone, and in cases of child safety, harassment, grooming, or exploitation, the correct step is to contact the right authorities. In the UK, this could mean reporting to CEOP. In the US, it could be through the NCMEC CyberTipline. For other regions, you can find a local hotline through InHope, a global network working to eliminate CSAM from the internet.
Other regions
Find a local hotline through InHope, a global network working to eliminate CSAM from the internet.
inhope.orgImmediate risk notice
In any country, if someone is at immediate risk, you should contact your local law enforcement without delay.
How DefenderNet enforcement works
See how DefenderNet handles punishments differently and why it matters for your community guild
Community Guild (Non-partner Guilds):
In a Community Guild, punishments issued through the DefenderNet system are handled at the local level...
Community Guilds still receive built-in network protection through the Join Prevention Rule...
Reporting Partner Guild:
In a Reporting Partner Guild, punishments issued through the DefenderNet system are handled with network-wide effect...
By sharing punishments on high-severity cases, DefenderNet protects all participating communities...
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding of Module 6 with a short knowledge check before moving on to the next module.