# Moderation Tools for World Owners

As a world owner in Sansar, you have access to powerful moderation tools that help you maintain a positive environment in your worlds. These tools allow you to manage who can visit your world, remove disruptive users, and enforce your community standards.

**As a world owner, you are responsible for moderating your own worlds. Sansar staff will only intervene in extreme cases or violations of Sansar's Terms of Service.**

This guide covers the moderation capabilities available to world owners, including:

* In-world chat commands for managing users
* UI options for some commands
* Permanent banning through the ban list
* Access control settings to restrict who can visit your world

**Note:** These tools complement the [basic moderation tools](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/guidelinesmoderation/moderation-and-reporting/blocking-avatars) available to all Sansar users.

## Quick Command Reference

World owners can use these commands in [Nearby Chat](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/exploring-in-sansar/socializeandconnect/chat-panel) while visiting their world:

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e449f9c1ea2e502a06d833f2e28af54107a8e001%2Fchatcommandinnearby.png?alt=media" alt="" width="275"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

| Command                       | Usage Example               | Description                                                               |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `%%who`                       | `%%who`                     | Shows all users currently in the world                                    |
| `%%roles`                     | `%%roles`                   | Shows your role (staff/world owner)                                       |
| `%%kick <Avatar ID>`          | `%%kick User-1234`          | Kicks a user from the world                                               |
| `%%mute <Avatar ID>`          | `%%mute User-1234`          | Temporarily switches off a user's mic                                     |
| `%%mega-on <Avatar ID>`       | `%%mega-on User-1234`       | Gives megaphone to a user                                                 |
| `%%mega-off <Avatar ID>`      | `%%mega-off User-1234`      | Removes megaphone from a user                                             |
| `%%broadcast-on <Avatar ID>`  | `%%broadcast-on User-1234`  | Turns on broadcasting (shows avatar across instances)                     |
| `%%broadcast-off <Avatar ID>` | `%%broadcast-off User-1234` | Turns off broadcasting                                                    |
| `%%backpack-on`               | `%%backpack-on`             | Enables backpack for all users (overrides world settings)                 |
| `%%backpack-off`              | `%%backpack-off`            | Disables backpack for all users (overrides world settings)                |
| `%%backpack-clear`            | `%%backpack-clear`          | Removes all backpack items spawned by all users                           |
| `%%muteall [seconds]`         | `%%muteall 20`              | Locks mics for all users unless they have megaphone (optional time delay) |
| `%%unmuteall [seconds]`       | `%%unmuteall 20`            | Unlocks mics for all users (optional time delay)                          |

**Important:** Commands only work in [Nearby Chat](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/exploring-in-sansar/socializeandconnect/chat-panel) and must be used while you're visiting your world. They cannot be triggered in private chat or from outside the world.

## Checking Your Permissions

To verify your moderation permissions, type `%%roles` in Nearby chat. This displays your current role (such as "world owner" or "staff"), confirming which moderation commands you have access to.

## Understanding Kick vs. Ban

Before using moderation tools, it's important to understand the difference between kicking and banning:

* **Kicking** removes a user from your world immediately, but they can return at any time
* **Banning** prevents a user from entering your world, but doesn't automatically kick them if they're already present
* **Best practice:** Add abusive users to the ban list before kicking them to prevent them from immediately rejoining

## Finding Users in Your World

### To get a list of users in chat

To see a list of who is currently in your world, type `%%who` in [Nearby Chat](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/exploring-in-sansar/socializeandconnect/chat-panel). This displays the Avatar IDs of all users currently present, which is helpful for determining who to kick, ban, or grant access to.

### To see a list of users in the Nearby Panel

Open the **Socialize** panel from the Main Menu, select **Friends & People**, then select the **Nearby** tab. The name with the @ symbol is the one you want to use with the commands, but the symbol itself is not needed.

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f9b98ca939fadd4d72d4ad8baa9bbb9f43cbd612%2Fnearbyusers.png?alt=media" alt="" width="275"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Kicking Users from Your World

As a world owner, you can remove users who are causing disruption or violating your world's rules.

**Important: For repeat offenders, add them to the ban list before kicking to prevent them from immediately rejoining.**

### Via chat command

1. While visiting your world, open [Nearby Chat](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/exploring-in-sansar/socializeandconnect/chat-panel)
2. Type `%%kick <Avatar ID>` where `<Avatar ID>` is the user's [Avatar ID](https://github.com/Wookey-Technologies/sansar-client-docs/blob/main/sansarbasics/AccountManagement/avatar-name-id.md)
   * Example: To kick a user with Avatar ID @User-1234, type `%%kick User-1234`
3. Press Enter to execute the command

The user is immediately removed from the world but is NOT banned and can return.

**Important notes:**

* Always use the Avatar ID (not the Avatar Name) when kicking users. For more information, see [Avatar Name and Avatar ID](https://github.com/Wookey-Technologies/sansar-client-docs/blob/main/sansarbasics/AccountManagement/avatar-name-id.md)
* You cannot kick yourself or Sansar Staff
* Only the world owner can kick users; visitors cannot use this command
* Kicked users receive a notification that they were removed from the world

### Via UI button

1. Open the **Socialize** panel from the Main Menu, select **Friends & People**, then select the **Nearby** tab
2. Click a user's name to open their profile window
3. As the world owner, you will see a **Kick** button in the profile window
4. Click the **Kick** button to remove the user

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-392af73c14a12f47bfc6c7f31bff9109905f3570%2Fworldmodkick.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### What happens when a user is kicked

The user is instantly teleported out of the world and sees a message indicating they were removed by the world owner. However, they can still return to your world at any time unless you add them to the ban list.

## Managing User Audio

World owners have several commands to control audio in their worlds:

### Muting Individual Users

The `%%mute` command temporarily turns off a specific user's microphone. They can turn it back on themselves.

**Note:** Unlike `%%muteall`, the `%%mute` command only temporarily turns off a user's microphone. They can turn it back on themselves. For locked muting during events, use `%%muteall` instead.

#### Via chat command

Type `%%mute <Avatar ID>` in Nearby chat. For example, `%%mute User-1234` will switch off the microphone for the user with Avatar ID @User-1234.

#### Via UI button

1. Open the **Socialize** panel from the Main Menu, select **Friends & People**, then select the **Nearby** tab
2. Click a user's name to open their profile window
3. As the world owner, you will see a **Mute** button in the profile window
4. Click the **Mute** button to turn off their microphone

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-183b60132a2ea25587efb492c3d45412a5147082%2Fworldmodmute.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Muting All Users

The `%%muteall` command **locks** microphones for all users in the world, except those who have been given a **megaphone**. This is useful for controlling audio during presentations or events. Users will not be able to turn their own mics on until the unmute command has been sent.

**To mute all users:**

* Type `%%muteall` in the nearby chat to mute everyone immediately
* Or add a time delay: `%%muteall 20` will mute all users after 20 seconds

### Unmuting All Users

The `%%unmuteall` command unlocks microphones for all users in the world.

**To unmute all users:**

* Type `%%unmuteall` in the nearby chat to unmute everyone immediately
* Or add a time delay: `%%unmuteall 20` will unmute all users after 20 seconds

## Megaphone Control

The megaphone allows specific users to speak even when `%%muteall` is active, making it ideal for event hosts or speakers. They can also be heard across the entire scene by everyone.

### Via chat command

**To give a user megaphone privileges:**

* Type `%%mega-on <Avatar ID>` (example: `%%mega-on User-1234`)

**To remove megaphone privileges:**

* Type `%%mega-off <Avatar ID>` (example: `%%mega-off User-1234`)

### Via UI button

1. Open the **Socialize** panel from the Main Menu, select **Friends & People**, then select the **Nearby** tab
2. Click a user's name to open their profile window
3. As the world owner, you will see **Mega On** and **Mega Off** buttons in the profile window
4. Click **Mega On** to give megaphone privileges or **Mega Off** to remove them

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-139ebe9fc4d12ae8756b0bb9f2b9ddca3a44799b%2Fworldmodmegaonoff.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Broadcasting Controls

Broadcasting makes a user's avatar visible across all instances of your world simultaneously, which is useful for event hosts or performers who need to be seen by everyone.

**To enable broadcasting for a user:**

* Type `%%broadcast-on <Avatar ID>` (example: `%%broadcast-on User-1234`)

**To disable broadcasting for a user:**

* Type `%%broadcast-off <Avatar ID>` (example: `%%broadcast-off User-1234`)

## Backpack Management

World owners can control backpack access for users, which is helpful for managing when they can spawn items in your world. If you previously turned off or on your visitor backpack in your [Scene Settings](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/creating-in-sansar/partoftheworldeditor/scene-settings), you can temporarily enable or disable it during runtime.

### Enabling/Disabling Backpack

#### Via chat command

**To enable backpack for all users:**

* Type `%%backpack-on` in nearby chat
* This turns on the backpack even if the world has it disabled in settings

**To disable backpack for all users:**

* Type `%%backpack-off` in nearby chat
* This turns off the backpack even if the world has it enabled in settings

### Clearing Spawned Items

#### Via chat command

* Type `%%backpack-clear` in nearby chat
* This removes all backpack items that all users have spawned in the world

#### Via UI button

Open your own backpack. As a world owner, you'll see three buttons at the top:

* **Remove All From World** - Removes all backpack items spawned by all users (same as `%%backpack-clear`)
* **Remove All** - Removes only your own spawned items
* **Remove Last** - Removes the last item you spawned

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-64caeada80a1b9d1eb89a5580ebada0232b9a264%2Fmodbackpackclear.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Banning Users from Your World

The ban list provides permanent protection by preventing specific users from entering your world. Users on the ban list cannot visit your world even if they have the direct link.

**To ban a user:**

1. Open the [Build Worlds](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/creating-in-sansar/creatortools/my-worlds-panel) panel

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f002cb17c2669241e7d10a83c3e7761e31603e05%2Fmainmenucreatebuild.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Locate the world you wish to add someone to the ban list of and click the **Publishing options** button

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-282cd24cae36c3270432563dec41c92f17b28ac9%2Fmyworldspublishingoptions.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Under [Who can visit](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/creating-in-sansar/publishing-options-for-experiences#who-can-visit), click **Edit list** next to **Banned users are never allowed to visit.**

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-89857d18d5313fe9f86920140a4a3acafcb118d9%2Fbanlist.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. In the Edit ban list panel, click **Add**

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-65adc4bca543115b5d04d1b3a9c95cdde94fed6a%2Feditbanadd.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Type the user's full Avatar ID in the Add Someone panel and click **Search**. This is the name that appears in the Nearby users list and the **%%who** command results.

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ddbac2f3bc45b8150ee4ed6c2274a129f176c064%2Fbanlistnamesearch.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. Select the correct user from the search results and click **Add selected**
7. Repeat steps 4-6 to add additional users to the ban list
8. Click **Done** to close the Add Someone panel
9. Click **Save** to save your changes

## Unbanning Someone from Your World

To unban someone, follow the previous steps 1-4 to access the ban list. Select a name from the list and click **Remove**. Make sure to click **Save**, then **Done**.

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-bf851c42c5c9d0a803d6951d3a13b799a594b342%2Fbanlistremovename.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Important notes:**

* You can add or remove users from the ban list at any time through the My Worlds panel
* Adding a user to the ban list does not automatically kick them if they're currently in your world. You will need to use the kick moderation tools to remove them.
* Banned users who attempt to visit your world see a message indicating they don't have access when they try to join.

**What happens when a user is banned:**

If a banned user attempts to visit your world, they receive a message stating they are not allowed to visit. They cannot enter the world through the Codex, direct links, or any other method.

## Restricting Access to Your World

Beyond banning specific users, you can control who has access to your world using the Who can visit tab in the Publishing options of the [My Worlds panel](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/creating-in-sansar/creatortools/my-worlds-panel).

<figure><img src="https://1251409636-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeFXiTZShM8YWMV94n1eV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7a5ff62cff46c03f8384a931f1845abd52f5e9ff%2Fwhocanvisit.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Access control options:**

* **Everyone** - Anyone can visit, except banned users
* **Friends only** - Only users on your friends list can visit
* **Guest list** - Only users you specifically add to the guest list can visit
* **Only me** - Only you can visit the world

**Publishing vs. Access Control:**

Your world's visibility is determined by both its publishing status and access controls:

* **Published worlds** appear in the Codex, but only to users who meet your access requirements, as an example even if your world is published but you have it set to **'guest list'** only people added to the list will be able to find it on their codex.
* **Hidden worlds** don't appear in the Codex but can still be accessed via direct link by users who meet your access requirements

You can change these settings at any time through the My Worlds panel.

## Best Practices for World Moderation

To maintain a positive environment in your world, consider these moderation tips:

1. **Set clear expectations** - Communicate your world's rules to visitors.
2. **Use progressive discipline** - Consider warning users before kicking them for minor infractions.
3. **Ban before kicking** - For repeat offenders, add them to the ban list before kicking to prevent immediate return.
4. **Document incidents** - Keep notes on problematic users and incidents for your records.
5. **Review your ban list periodically** - Consider whether banned users should remain on the list over time.
6. **Use access controls proactively** - For private events, use the guest list feature to prevent disruptions.
7. **Encourage visitors to use their own moderation tools** - Your visitors have their own ability to block and mute others for themselves.

## Troubleshooting

**Command not working:**

* Verify you're using Nearby Chat (not private chat)
* Confirm you're currently visiting your world
* Check that you're using the correct command syntax
* Ensure you're using the Avatar ID, not the Avatar Name

**Can't find a user's Avatar ID:**

* Use the `%%who` command to list all users currently in your world
* Check the [People panel](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/exploring-in-sansar/socializeandconnect/people-panel) and click on their name to reveal their Avatar ID
* See [Identifying and interacting with avatars](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/exploring-in-sansar/socializeandconnect/identifying-interacting-with-avatars) for additional methods
* Use the player search box in the People and Friends panel

**User keeps returning after being kicked:**

* Add the user to your ban list to prevent them from re-entering your world
* See [Banning users from a world](#banning-users-from-your-world) above for instructions

**Need to report serious violations:**

* For serious violations of Sansar's Terms of Service, report the user through Sansar's official reporting channels in addition to using your world moderation tools
* See [Blocking Avatars](https://docs.sansar.com/latest/guidelinesmoderation/moderation-and-reporting/blocking-avatars) for information on blocking and reporting

***

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