From Test-Scratch-Wiki
A flame war is an unfriendly argument between two or more users on the forums or main site and also a common type of cyberbullying. Flame wars are not allowed, for they cause a disruption in the community, are disrespectful, and can harm people emotionally.
What To Do If You See a Flame War
It is important that if you see a flame war, press the report button. Never get involved. Getting involved will cause more harm than good, even if you are trying to stop it. Simply report it and let the Scratch Team deal with the problem. In cases where the flame war has spread to many different projects, use the Contact Us form to alert the Scratch Team about what is going on.
What To Do To Prevent a Flame War
If someone is not very polite or is usually rude, it is best not to respond or retaliate; simply report the user. If the issue is very serious, you can contact the Scratch Team using the Contact Us link at the bottom of every page to explain the situation.
 Note: | The Scratch Team does not always reply to Contact Us messages. |
Consequences of Flame Wars
Flame wars can lead to several consequences. First, the flame should be removed by a moderator. Second, those involved in the flame war will then be dealt with. If it is a user's first time flaming, that user will probably only get an alert. If a user consistently flames, that user can receive a ban, with its length depending on the severity. In one severe case, a forum, the old TBG forum, was closed.[1] It was then re-created at a different location, with entirely different moderators and forum ranks.[2]
Flame Bait
Flame bait is anything that might cause a flame war, such as abraisive discussion of politics or religion. It is important to never post anything that can be considered offensive to others. If you happen to see any flame bait, report it. This includes projects, studios, posts/comments, signatures, usernames, and user icons.
Common Phrases
Moderators and Scratchers alike often use appropriate fire-related metaphors to describe the flame war and such.[citation needed] They include:
- "Fuelling the flames"
- Similar to 'feeding the trolls,' this means continuing the flame war.
- "Putting out the fire"
- This means to put an end to the flame war.
- "Spreading the fire"
- Often used on the forums to mean carrying an argument/flame war onto another topic/forum.
