Community Guidelines

Last updated: October 25, 2026

These guidelines describe what good looks like across Meshlat — listings, chats, Neighbors, and Watch (short videos and live). Neighbors remains hyperlocal; Watch is a short-form video surface. The same safety bar applies everywhere content can be seen by others.

These guidelines are a companion to — not a replacement for — our Terms of Service. The Terms remain the authoritative legal contract.

1. Be a good neighbor

Treat the feed like a real-world block conversation.

• Lead with kindness — assume good intent before reacting.
• Stay on-topic for the bucket you picked (Question, Lost & Found, Alert, Free, Recommendation, General).
• Keep posts useful: help neighbors, do not broadcast frustration.
• Mark resolved when an Alert is over, a Lost item is found, or a Question is answered.
• Use comments and reactions instead of posting a duplicate.

2. Posting well

2.1 Pick the right bucket

• Alerts are for things neighbors should know about right now. Use the urgent flag sparingly.
• Lost & Found is for missing pets, missing items, and items you found and want to return.
• Questions and Recommendations are for non-urgent advice.
• Free is for giveaways — not trades or sales (use Bazaar for that).
• General is the catch-all when nothing else fits.

2.2 Write so neighbors can act

• Be specific: cross-streets, time windows, and a clear ask.
• Photos help — blur or crop out anyone who has not consented.
• Avoid all-caps headlines and long unbroken text walls.
• If you get help, leave a quick comment so neighbors know it is handled.

3. Safety first

• Do not share other people’s home addresses, license plates, or phone numbers without permission.
• Do not post photos or videos of identifiable people (especially minors) without consent.
• If you witness something dangerous, call your local emergency number first — Meshlat is not an emergency service.
• Meet in public, well-lit places when responding to Free, Lost & Found, or Recommendation posts in person.
• If a stranger asks for personal details that feel out of scope, trust your instincts and report.

4. What is not allowed

The following will be removed and may result in temporary or permanent account action:

4.1 Harm to people

• Harassment, bullying, threats, or targeted intimidation.
• Hate speech or slurs targeting protected characteristics.
• Doxxing — publishing private contact information, home address, workplace, or movements.
• Encouraging or organizing violence, vigilantism, or retaliation.

4.2 Harmful content

• Sexual content, nudity, or content that sexualizes minors in any form.
• Graphic violence or gore beyond what is needed to flag a genuine safety concern.
• Self-harm content presented without a clear, safe support framing.
• Promotion of illegal activity, weapons sales, or controlled substances.

4.3 Misuse of the platform

• Misinformation about elections, health, or active emergencies that could put neighbors at risk.
• Spam, repeated promotional posts, or affiliate / multi-level-marketing recruitment.
• Impersonation of neighbors, businesses, public agencies, or Meshlat staff.
• Posting on behalf of someone else without consent.
• Scraping, automated posting, or attempts to inflate engagement.

5. Hyperlocal honesty

• Set your home neighborhood honestly — it is the place you actually live.
• Do not jump anchors to flood another area’s feed.
• Posts should be relevant to the neighborhood you are anchored in.
• If you are visiting or moving, say so rather than impersonating a long-time local.

6. Comments and reactions

• Disagree with the idea, not the person.
• Use reactions when you have nothing new to add.
• Do not pile on. If the conversation has turned, step away.
• Respect when the original poster marks a post resolved.

7. Watch (short videos and live)

• Do not post sexual content, CSAM, graphic violence, scams, hate, or illegal activity.
• Do not film or share identifiable people (especially minors) without consent.
• Business / freelancer clips in My Videos must be honest about what you offer.
• To report a Watch video or live stream: open the reel → flag → choose a reason, add details, and confirm your report is accurate and in good faith. You can block the author after submitting.
• Uploaded videos are scanned by automated safety systems before or while they become broadly visible; pending clips may only be visible to the uploader until approved.

8. Report and mute

• Tap Report on a post, comment, profile, listing, chat, Watch video, or live stream. Reports are private.
• Urgent safety threats: contact local emergency services first, then file a report.
• Hide a post, mute a keyword or bucket, mute an author, or block an account — all privately.
• Child-safety or CSAM concerns: use the Child safety report reason and/or email safety@meshlat.com. See Child Safety.

9. How we moderate

• High-confidence violations (CSAM, threats of violence, doxxing) are removed on detection.
• Edge cases are reviewed by a human before action.
• We may label, hide, restrict reach, suspend posting, or terminate accounts for severe or repeat violations.
• If we remove your content, we will tell you what guideline applied. You can ask for review.

10. Repeat violations

• First strike: warning + content removal.
• Second strike: temporary posting suspension (typically 24–72 hours).
• Third strike: extended suspension and reduced feed reach.
• Severe or coordinated abuse: immediate, permanent removal.

Bypassing a suspension with a new account is itself a violation.

11. Contact

Trust & safety questions, reviewer queries, or appeals: safety@meshlat.com. See also our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.