User:EverSince/Policy bullying

This page is NOT a Wikipedia article or policy. It is a personal page created by User:EverSince

A Wikipedia Policy bully is an editor who uses or cites Wikipedia policies in order to get their own way, against the spirit of Wikipedia. They may unnecessarily and excessively cite policies, giving an impression of being an authority on policy regardless of whether policies do actually support their position. They may have a habit of putting others down and/or boosting themselves through negative edits or comments relating to some Wikipedia policy. They may be intimidating, patronizing or demeaning. They may not actually be very knowledgeable on the subject of the article but may nevertheless act as if they are. They may use policies and procedures to avoid having to actually address issues openly and fairly by consensus with other editors involved with a page. These kinds of activities can be described as "misuse of process", indirect or social bullying or camouflaged aggression.

How to respond to a suspected policy bully

Keep to the spirit of Wikipedia, by focusing on improving the article through consensus and being civil. Assume good faith barring clear evidence to the contrary. Try not to let the person wind you up or make you appear to be someone who does indeed not know or respect policy. If they are unnecessarily or excessively citing policies, you could ask them to explain simply any policy they are referring to and exactly how they think it applies. It may help to bear in mind that they may be unaware of being obfuscating or insulting, whether due to zealousness, defensiveness or limited social skills. It they ignore you or do not clarify, or they do clarify but you then still think they are in the wrong, you can access Wikipedia help resources for resolving a dispute. This could include requesting informal voluntary help from an advocate or mediator to help you put across your point of view or bring in more neutral knowledge of Wikipedia policies. You could also engage in more official procedures.

What a policy bully is not

Implementing and enforcing Wikipedia policies, and informing others of those policies, is a valued and sometimes difficult function that is not considered bullying. It is when these actions are undertaken inappropriately or excessively, in order for a person to get their way regardless of the spirit of Wikipedia or what is best for Wikipedia, that it could be seen as bullying.

A policy bully could be a WikiTroll, but not necessarily. In fact, a policy bully could do a lot of useful work on Wikipedia and may even be an administrator or trying to become one.

A WikiGnome or a WikiFairy may make a lot of policy-related changes to articles, but they do so in neutral and helpful ways, and are considered friendly.

Should Wikipedia have an anti-bullying policy?

No policy or procedure is a substitute for a culture of trust and openness. However a good policy or procedure may initiate or enhance such a culture if it is deployed judiciously. But people who bully can make counter-claims of bullying against complainants, or even get their 'complaint' in first.[1]

Example behaviors that could be signs of policy bullying

• Unnecessarily citing policies as if others aren't aware of them or aren't following them, without justification.

• Acting as if policies do not apply to them, or that they must automatically be following all policies correctly

• Not giving other editors reasonable time to respond to suggestions or requests, but rushing them through according to a policy but not the sprit of Wikipedia.

• Using procedures to avoid interacting with, or resolving disputes with, other editors involved with a page, for example by referring to talks with other editors elsewhere, or by triggering a peer review without warning or agreement

• Making critical edit comments or talk page comments that highlight the wrong actions of others and highlight their own work and high standards

• Checking the contributions of an editor with whom they have previously had a disagreement and going to those pages to find and highlight policy mistakes or violations