Szanujc

Szanujc is a term used in Polish-language online discourse to promote respectful communication. It combines the imperative 'szanuj' (respect) with a compact, brand-like form, and serves as both a slogan and a practical guideline across communities.

The term emerged in the early 2020s among moderators and community managers of Polish forums and social networks seeking to reduce harassment. It spread as a loose movement rather than a centralized organization, appearing as a tag, a pledge, and in pinned guidelines.

Practices associated with szanujc encourage participants to pause before replying, avoid personal attacks, and challenge ideas with evidence. De-escalation strategies, such as reframing criticisms and using respectful language, are commonly recommended. Some communities use a szanujc pledge or a template response that models civil tone.

Szanujc is applied across various online spaces, including discussion forums, Q&A sites, and social media groups that prioritize civil discourse. It often coexists with platform-specific moderation policies and increases mutual expectations among participants.

Reception is mixed. Proponents credit it with reducing hostile exchanges and improving dialogue quality, while critics worry about potential censorship or subjective enforcement. The actual impact varies by community and is difficult to quantify.

See also: Netiquette, online civility, moderation practices.