I'm developing a web application where users log their weight, reps, and sets manually. This data earns them points and we have a leaderboard based on those points. However, I'm concerned about cheating, as people might input completely unrealistic weights like '5000kg bicep curls.' I need advice on how to moderate this system effectively since relying on users' honesty isn't sufficient. I've thought about creating an algorithm to flag unrealistic entries and removing them from the leaderboard, but I'm looking for more ideas on moderation strategies.
5 Answers
It’s like trying to control a wildfire by going after the smoke! You can’t really manage the honesty of users.
Honestly, apart from filtering out the obvious fakes, there's not much you can do. If someone wants to cheat, they're going to do it regardless. Plus, many users won’t trust the leaderboard anyway. It can feel like a losing battle.
Consider using a weighted average with a 5% interval for comparisons. Implementing something like a Wilson score could help with stabilizing the leaderboard against those small attempts at manipulation. Just a plain average won’t cut it against extreme fake values.
One way to minimize cheating is to focus the points system on consistency and discipline instead of just raw numbers. You could emphasize things like streaks and sessions completed, making the focus more on personal improvement rather than just the numbers on the leaderboard.
Short answer: you probably can’t stop cheating altogether. People motivated to game the system will find a way. It might be more effective to redesign the app to remove the global leaderboard altogether.
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