How do direct messages work?

Mutual follow first

You can only DM someone if you and that member follow each other. This stops cold-DM spam and gives both people a chance to opt in.

1. Open the member's profile (click their avatar anywhere, or visit their profile page)
2. Click Follow
3. Wait for them to follow you back — they'll see a notification
4. Once mutual, the Message button appears on their profile and in member directories

If you can't see a Message button, mutual follow isn't in place yet.

Starting a DM

1. Click Messages in the sidebar (or open Messages)
2. Click New Message
3. Search by name or username — only mutual-follow members appear
4. Pick one person (1-on-1) or up to 8 (group)
5. Send

Reading and replies

• New DMs trigger a sidebar dot and a notification (in-app, email, optionally push)
• Read receipts are off by default — turn them on per-conversation
• Messages are markdown-formatted; drag images into the input

Group DMs

• Up to 8 members
• Anyone in the group can add another member they mutually follow
• Leaving a group DM removes you from the conversation but the others continue without you

Blocking and reporting

• Click the ⋯ menu on a DM thread → Block stops further messages and removes the mutual-follow link
• Report notifies admins; the message stays visible to you for context until admins act

Privacy

• Teachers and admins can't read your DMs by default
• Reported messages are visible to admins only when a report is filed