Correct that it isn’t guaranteed to stop all infractions but if people are going out of their way to spell words differently so not get caught by filters or aren’t using the tool and refuse to, then it’s more of oppositional defiance than impulse control. I fully agree that if the tool is being used (or not) and infractions continue, then punishments are entirely merited. I would even argue they are even more merited because you are actively not using or bypassing a safety measure.
Probably the hardest thing with impulse control issues is the pause to think before doing/saying something. Anything you can do to increase that delay and give more pause or help externalize the filter, the more likely they will be to think and reflect and be able to correct. Even having a filter pick up a swear or unwanted text and giving a message like these forums do “swearing is not allowed.” And not posting the text is better than the current system because it provides that additional pause for reflection.
Interestingly enough there’s a book on habit modification that I am a big fan of called « the atomic habit ». To break a bad habit you need to put as many obstacles and delays before the unwanted habit or behaviour. The more difficult it is, the more inconvenient, the less likely you are to do it. Combined with reinforcement (I.e. punishment) you get more effective results.
Behaviour modification for positive behaviours are similar. Remove obstacles that impede the wanted behaviour, making it easier and giving immediate rewards and you are more likely to get into those positive habits and behaviours.
The delay in reward vs punishment is also key. The longer the delay on either, the worse the reinforcement. Even more so with neurodivergent people.
While the book mostly focused on habits like brushing one’s teeth or going to the gym, this is applicable to all behaviours and habits. Some are obviously harder to modify but the principles remain the same and are largely based on neuro chemical responses in the brain. These are typically impaired in people with neurodevelopmental problems which is why a lot of medications are uptake inhibitors or stimulants to free up more of these chemicals in the brain and thereby lessen these deficits.
The filter stops you from seeing swearing, not FROM swearing. And blizzards policy is that even though the filter exists, it is not a free pass to swear and encourage people to report people who do swear. Therefor the filter is entirely useless and even with ****** appearing in chat you can go “oh he swore!” And report the person. Even though many swears can be used in a way that is not malicious or desired to be offensive. This is why the idea is to say “I want my curses to be censored so they never go I to chat.” If they aren’t being posted to chat, no *’s, no curses, it can entirely change how the sentence is received. No need for strikes on accounts, nobody gets offended, people who acknowledge their behavioural problems and want to be better have an option while still being able to be social, not feel hated or rejected. It becomes an overall more positive experience FOR EVERYONE.
There is no real need for custom filters, use what exists and then maybe improve it in the future based on feedback from reports. Eventually you might even get to a point where the game masters can focus on real issues vs appeals, validating bans, etc. And even all the processing power being used for things like défense matrix can be applied to other improvements to the game.
And while I can turn off chat entirely (and have in the past) I did find my win rates got significantly worse (from low plat to low silver) with everything off. Now with only text I’m more high silver, low gold. Hence the idea of an alternate solution.
Most of my interactions are arguably positive or neutral (to my knowledge because there is generally no knowing when you are being reported). I’m usually sitting at level 3 endorsement unless I’m coming back from a penalty.
I almost feel like even having a feedback system like baldurs gate would be an improvement. Someone reports you and it just says “someone didn’t like this 
” as soon as a report is filed against you.
It’s almost like your parents telling you they aren’t mad, just disappointed.
Nothing makes me reconsider my choices more than seeing “Karlach disapproves.” In the upper left hand corner of my screen.