I threw this suggestion out in the SB and was toying with the idea of posting it here and I actually got good feedback in the SB itself so here's the idea:

If there is an argument going on between two or more people they should get a fifteen minute ban or 'time out' and if an outside party talks about the argument to continue it or try to prove a point in said argument they get a five minute time out.

I think this goes back to the same issue that most Shoutbox policing issues come back to - there isn't one single staff member who is always watching the Shoutbox, and in some cases it's plausible none are actively watching it. Who determines what arguments are sufficiently escalated, administers the "time out"? Further, if it is staff that has to do it, would they then have to individually continue to not only watch the users involved to monitor for harassment, but ALSO still watch the Shoutbox for third parties stirring shit up?

I dunno. I like the idea behind it, but I don't think it's plausible.

That's true, I didn't think that far ahead, or about the aftermath of them being dickheads. I guess this is another suggestion for the grave unless a proper system is put up like if certain words got used or something and they automatically get banned but that could also serve problems for those who use the words without being in an argument.... Thank you for your comment hon. <3

Actually, shoutbox bans, lasting one hour, can be given to serial offenders, people that keep pushing on an argument.

If it's just petty bickering, you, as an user, can either block the offending parties or close the SB yourself.