Direct Messages

Allow members to send direct messages to one another.

Last Updated: 19/03/2024 - This idea is currently on hold due to questions about impact vs. more public-facing chat spaces. 



Background


The DEAL Community Platform was designed to enable people from around the world to connect with each in order to turn the ideas of Doughnut Economics into action. Currently, however, the options for communicating with other members are limited.

Members can choose to make their email address or social media profiles publicly available on their profile, but there are no in-platform methods for direct communication beyond commenting on tools, stories, and events.

What is the essence of this suggestion/idea?


Create a direct messages (DM) system that allows members to privately contact one another. Include an option to disable DMs for those that don't want to be contacted through the platform.

What are the potential benefits of this suggestion/idea?


Facilitate communication and empower relationship building.

Who would benefit from this suggestion/idea?


Members looking to reach out to other members who live locally, work in a related field, might be interested in collaborating on a project, etc.

Open Questions


  • Should members have to 'follow' each other before they can send DMs?
  • Should members be able to block specific users from messaging them?
  • Should DMs be 'enabled' by default, or should they be 'opt-in'?
  • Is a direct message system the most useful intervention? Would public chat spaces be more useful?
2 comments
Moze Jacobs almost 3 years ago

Don't think members would need to follow each other but should be able to block.
In an ideal world, opting-in would be preferable but members could easily overlook this step and then it would still not be possible to reach someone that you would really like to connect with for the best of reasons. Opt-out would be better and you can always use the block function if you find specific people annoying. There would also need to be a system in place for dealing with inappropriate DMs? Which will occur eventually as the networks expand, I think.
0 1
Karn Bianco almost 3 years ago

That makes a lot of sense - thank you for your thoughts!
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