Welcome

The AARP Online Community is a place to share ideas, ask questions, and connect with others in a respectful and welcoming environment.

By participating, you agree to follow these guidelines and the AARP Terms of Service. Posts that violate these rules may be removed, and repeated or serious violations may result in suspension or loss of community access.

Community Expectations

Share and Learn

• Share your knowledge and experiences.
• Ask questions and help others when you can.

Be Respectful

• Treat everyone with courtesy and kindness.
• It's okay to disagree—focus on ideas, not people.
• Personal attacks, insults, or disrespectful behavior are not acceptable.

Help Build a Positive Community

• Give helpful posts recognition.
• Report abusive content or members in crisis.
• Contribute in ways that make the community better for everyone.

Use Reliable Information

• When sharing information from other sources, give proper credit.
• Summarize articles instead of copying them.
• Do not post false or misleading information.

Make Posts Easy to Read

• Write clearly and check spelling and grammar when possible.
• Avoid typing in ALL CAPS.
• Use titles that match your topic.

Post in the Right Place

• Choose the appropriate discussion category.
• Check for existing conversations before starting a new one.

What Is Not Allowed

Spam or Disruptive Posts

Do not post:

• Spam, scams, or unwanted advertising.
• Content meant to provoke arguments or disrupt discussions.
• Off-topic political debates or other discussions that do not fit the community.

Hate Speech or Harassment

• No hateful, discriminatory, threatening, or inflammatory comments.
• Bullying, trolling, baiting, name-calling, or personal attacks are not allowed.

Excessive Ranting

• Constructive feedback is welcome.
• Repeated venting or posts that are no longer productive may be removed.

Obscene or Offensive Content

• No vulgar, sexually explicit, or offensive language or images.

Self-Promotion

• Do not use the community to advertise businesses or recruit customers.
• Relevant links to helpful resources are acceptable, but promotional or sales-focused posts are not.

Multiple or Fake Accounts

• Use only one account.
• Do not create accounts to gain attention or manipulate discussions.

Inappropriate Profiles

• Usernames and profile images must be respectful and not misleading.
• Do not use offensive language, impersonate others, or include "AARP" in your username.

Illegal or Harmful Activity

Do not:

• Break the law.
• Violate copyrights or trademarks.
• Share or request personal information.
• Threaten, harass, impersonate, or invade another person's privacy.
• Post links containing viruses or malicious software.

Moderator or Private Communications

• Do not publicly discuss moderation decisions.
• Do not repost removed content.
• Do not share private messages from moderators or other members.

Advice Disclaimer

Information shared by community members is for general information only and should not replace advice from qualified professionals, such as doctors, attorneys, tax advisors, insurance agents, or other licensed experts.

Keep It Simple

Before posting, ask yourself:

• Is it respectful?
• Is it helpful?
• Is it relevant?
• Is it accurate?
• Would I be comfortable receiving this message?

If the answer is yes, you're helping make the AARP Online Community a welcoming place for everyone.