1. Protect your account and identity.
Your account represents you inside a campus community. Use your real identity where required, keep your login details private, and never allow another person to use your account to post, message, sell, apply, or join groups. If someone else uses your account, other users may still believe the activity came from you.
Do not post student IDs, class schedules, phone numbers, addresses, screenshots of private messages, payment details, or documents containing sensitive information. A post that feels harmless today can create risk later if it exposes where someone studies, where they live, or when they are alone.
Do
Use a strong password, check who you are talking to, and keep personal details limited to what is necessary.
Do not
Share login codes, post private documents, or pretend to represent a student, office, organization, or class without permission.
2. Post information that is useful, accurate, and respectful.
Campus communities move fast. Posts about events, lost items, tutoring, student needs, organizations, and opportunities can help many people. They can also create confusion if the information is incomplete or misleading. Before posting, check whether the information is accurate, whether it should be public, and whether it could harm another person.
Avoid posts that attack individuals, expose private disputes, pressure students, or spread rumors. If there is a serious complaint, use the correct reporting or support channel instead of turning it into a public fight. Public posting is not a replacement for formal complaints, emergency help, or official academic processes.
Good campus posts usually include:
- clear purpose, such as asking for help, announcing an activity, selling an item, or looking for tutoring;
- complete but safe details, such as general location and time without exposing private addresses;
- respectful language even when there is disagreement;
- a correction or update if the original post becomes outdated or wrong.
Practical rule: if the post would embarrass, expose, threaten, or unfairly pressure another student, do not publish it. Use support or reporting channels instead.
3. Keep direct messages professional and consent-based.
Direct messages are useful for class coordination, organization activity, tutoring inquiries, marketplace questions, and alumni connection. They should not be used for harassment, repeated unwanted contact, threats, sexual pressure, insults, or attempts to bypass another person's boundaries.
If someone does not respond, gives a clear no, or asks you to stop messaging, stop. Do not create new accounts to continue contact. Do not pressure people to send photos, payment proof, personal documents, or private information unless there is a clear and legitimate reason.
4. Treat offline meetups as safety-sensitive.
Some platform activity may lead to offline meetings: buying an item, joining an organization, meeting a tutor, or attending a campus activity. When possible, meet in public, visible, well-lit places during reasonable hours. Tell a trusted person where you are going. Avoid private residences or isolated locations for first-time meetings.
- Confirm the person's identity and purpose before meeting.
- Use public campus or community areas where other people are present.
- Bring a friend for higher-risk meetings or larger transactions.
- Leave immediately if the meeting changes location, terms, or tone in a suspicious way.
5. Report abuse early.
Report behavior that creates safety risk, including impersonation, harassment, threats, scams, sexual exploitation, child safety concerns, hate content, repeated unwanted contact, fake listings, or attempts to collect sensitive information. Early reports help reduce harm before a problem spreads.
When reporting, include the username, page or group involved, screenshots if available, approximate time, and a short description of what happened. Do not edit screenshots in a way that changes meaning. For emergencies or immediate physical danger, use official emergency or law enforcement channels first.
Escalate faster when the issue involves:
- minors or suspected child exploitation;
- threats of violence or self-harm;
- blackmail, extortion, or sexual pressure;
- financial scams or repeated fake listings;
- impersonation of university staff, student leaders, or organizations.
Real scenario: an unwanted message thread
Situation. A student receives repeated messages from a classmate after asking them to stop. The messages move from friendly to pressuring within a week.
What to do. Stop replying once the request to stop has been made clear. Screenshot the thread, note the dates, and use the report option on the account rather than posting about it publicly. If the messages include threats or sexual pressure, escalate immediately instead of waiting to see if it stops on its own.
Why it matters. A documented report gives moderators something concrete to act on. A public callout post usually creates more conflict and can expose both students to further risk.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to use my real name on MyNORSU Social?
Yes, for account approval and for other students to trust who they are talking to. You control what additional details appear on your public profile beyond your name and campus affiliation.
What happens after I submit a report?
The report goes to the moderation queue with the details you provided. Response time depends on severity — safety-critical reports (threats, exploitation, harassment) are reviewed ahead of lower-priority items like spam.
Can I report something anonymously?
Your username is attached to the report internally so moderators can follow up if they need more detail, but it is not shared with the person you are reporting.
What if the person I need to report is a friend?
Report the behavior, not the relationship. Moderation exists so students do not have to manage safety issues through personal confrontation.