As it currently stands, all users with more than 10K reputation can see flags on chat. This, however, might not be constructive.

Whenever a swarm of flags (or, really, any single flag) comes up, all 10K users on the chat network are alerted. This doesn't make much sense; the only thing this can cause is more drama, as many chatrooms over a certain number of users tend to flare up with "what's going on over here?" comments.

Removing the 10K ability to process flags actually wouldn't worsen the condition of chat, either - and it actually might improve it:

  • Discussion about drama would be kept to the Teachers' Lounge, where it will be safe and sound and cause the least disturbance to people across the network.
  • Many 10K users I've talked with actually don't want to see these things, since they don't have enough contextual information to handle problems, and can't do anything about these flags.
  • Room discussions won't be derailed by large quantities of flags in other rooms.

It's not for want of manpower that flags aren't useful: it's actually a case where too many people have control over the outcome of a situation, so the case can't be given enough time to be reviewed properly. The ability for 10K users to handle flags certainly was more useful - and more necessary - when the network was smaller; however, now that the network has grown, there are pretty much always moderators on-hand who are available for flag-handling.

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    It's not about drama. This let ordinary users deal quickly with offensive messages, when there are no moderators around. I support making it possible to opt out, but not this suggestion to just cut out the privilege. – Shadow The Dragon Wizard Dec 2 '15 at 22:52
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    @ShadowWizard Speaking from experience, there are always moderators around. The Stack Exchange network is very, very large now. I can say something in TL at pretty much any time of the day, any time of the year, and someone will be there to respond. – Aza Dec 2 '15 at 22:53
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    The 10k threshold was also set back when there were fewer users overall and you had to work a little to reach 10k across the network. If it's still desirable for non-mods to handle flags, maybe it's time to raise the threshold. – Monica Cellio Dec 2 '15 at 23:32
  • Or revoke it from 10K users but give it to room owners. – Kit Z. Fox Dec 2 '15 at 23:33
  • @Emrakul This is only true for Chat.SE, not for Chat.SO – Mad Scientist Dec 3 '15 at 8:39
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    @MadScientist Fair point. If the two were merged, that would be a non-issue, but if they remain separate, it might be worth considering Stack Overflow on its own. – Aza Dec 3 '15 at 8:48
  • I find that sometimes the 10k are also the ones getting "surprised about the flags" in the first place, so I for one totally agree at leaving the chat flags in the Stack Exchange staff hands. – SPArchaeologist Jan 13 '16 at 19:58

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