← Back to Home
Community Guidelines
How to debate like a civilized human
Our Philosophy: Debate ideas, not people. Argue passionately, but respectfully. We encourage hot takes and controversial opinions, but not harassment or hate.
The Golden Rules
✅ DO
- Argue your position passionately
- Challenge ideas and arguments
- Use facts and logic
- Admit when you're wrong
- Have fun and be creative
- Use emojis for reactions
- Vote fairly as a spectator
❌ DON'T
- Attack people personally
- Use slurs or hate speech
- Harass or threaten anyone
- Share explicit content
- Spam or advertise
- Dox or share private info
- Record others without consent
Debate Etiquette
- Listen: When your opponent is speaking, actually listen. You'll debate better.
- Stay on topic: Respond to the actual debate topic, not random tangents.
- No shouting: Raised voices ≠ better arguments. Stay calm.
- Time limits: Respect the 30-second time limits. Don't talk over your time.
- Concede gracefully: If you lose, accept it. There's always another debate.
Prohibited Content
The following will result in immediate removal and possible ban:
- Hate speech: Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, religious hatred
- Violence: Threats, glorification of violence, graphic content
- Sexual content: Nudity, sexual acts, sexual harassment
- Illegal activity: Promotion of illegal drugs, weapons, hacking, etc.
- Self-harm: Promotion or glorification of suicide or self-injury
- Minors: Any sexualization of minors
- Doxxing: Sharing someone's private information
- Spam: Advertising, MLM schemes, repetitive content
Spectator Guidelines
- Chat respectfully: No harassment in spectator chat
- Vote honestly: Vote for who actually debated better, not based on looks/identity
- Don't spoil: If you recognize someone, keep it to yourself
- Be entertaining: Good commentary makes debates better
What Happens If You Break Rules?
Depending on severity:
- Warning: First offense for minor violations
- Temporary ban: 24 hours to 7 days
- Permanent ban: Serious violations or repeat offenders
- Report to authorities: Illegal content or credible threats
How to Report Violations
If you encounter rule violations:
- Click "Next Opponent" to immediately leave
- Use the Report button (coming soon)
- Email serious issues to: [email protected]
Controversial Topics ≠ Hate
Important distinction:
✅ "I think immigration policies should be stricter" = OK
❌ "All immigrants are criminals" = NOT OK
✅ "Traditional marriage has benefits" = OK
❌ "Gay people are going to hell" = NOT OK
Debate the policy, not the people.
Tips for Better Debates
- Steel-man, don't straw-man: Address the strongest version of their argument
- Use examples: "For instance..." makes arguments concrete
- Ask questions: "How would that work?" exposes weak arguments
- Know when to pivot: If losing one point, shift to stronger ground
- End strong: Your last 5 seconds matter most
The Spirit of Hot Take
We built this platform because civil discourse is dying. Social media rewards outrage, not reasoning. We want to bring back the art of debate - where you can:
- Disagree without being disagreeable
- Challenge ideas without attacking people
- Change your mind when presented with good arguments
- Have fun arguing about things that don't really matter
Remember: The best debates happen when both sides argue in good faith. Be the debater you'd want to face.
Questions about these guidelines? Contact us at