In online chat rooms moderators police the content and if necessary, they can normally mute users who are breaking the rules. A shadow mute is when the player is muted but isn't informed of the mute. Often they continue to chat, completely unaware that nobody in the chatroom can see what they type. The shadow muted user is left with the feeling that nobody is interested in them or whatever it is they have to say. Its a particularly cruel form of muting and can cause long term self esteem issues in tweens.
Brad: Hey bro, what happen'd to Tanya?
Freddie: oh she got shadow muted on runescape, she thought everyone hated her and tried to kill herself.
Brad: umm everyone does hate her
Freddie: yeah bro, I don't know why you married her
Freddie: oh she got shadow muted on runescape, she thought everyone hated her and tried to kill herself.
Brad: umm everyone does hate her
Freddie: yeah bro, I don't know why you married her
by Ghostnipple December 4, 2019