to ask why it seems every new OP get accused of being a troll?

[FionaGatwick]

And if so, if the answers to the situation they invented help other people possibly undergoing the same thing, what's the harm in it?

[crashdoll]

Lately many of the OPs are trolls.

What harm does it do? The mum who faked a cancer diagnosis for her son and posted photos and daily hospital updates caused a lot of harm,

[e1y1]

Wow, missed that one crash.

It does seem there has been an influx of not legitimate posts/posters of late.

If it does help them, then all the better, but can see why it would annoy and offend some (ie inventing cancer is awful and must be harrowing to the people on MN who have gone through this horrific illness)

[FionaGatwick]

crashdoll

Ok, I didn't see that thread. That's awful.

But how about the really simple threads about some typical life issues? I don't see why people are quick to judge the OPs as troll. And even if they were posting hypothetical problems, so what? Nobody's getting hurt. The posts probably at the very least entertain other bored people, and at best, help people in similar situations.

[Laura222]

Everyone's so judgemental fml

[needmymouthsewnup]

crash, you don't mean the one where the little boy also had another younger sibling at home, he had his bday in hospital etc? Had photos of little boy with tubes in? Was that a troll? I remember that thread really well... I'm hoping you don't mean that one cos I genuinely thought it was real

[ditzychick34]

Missed that one too crash! Bloody ridiculous!

I wonder if we actually give the advice we'd give to a friend or adjust our replies to not be controversial so that the crap papers can't get all "mumsnet hates babies"

[Obsidian77]

I've seen a few threads lately posted late at night by someone who says he's a man asking the mumz 4 advice or similar. After a few unsympathetic posts he (?) hurls a volley of misogynistic abuse then drops off the thread. I find this difficult because I want to believe posters are genuine and the advice I've received on this and similar sites has helped me through some tough times. Don't think it's a particularly new thing though?

[crashdoll]

It was the one with the drawing...."Oliver's army". This fictional child was about 8 and allegedly had leukaemia. It caused quite a ruckus.

[FrazzleM]

I missed the cancer one. That is awful and must be upsetting for those who have contributed to the thread and bee genuinely upset.

I do feel sorry for OPs when posters call troll and they're wrong. Best to say nothing and report it to MNHQ.

Some of the troll threads have been really funny (bouncy castle bride). I feel guilty for being so entertained by them .

[user5318008]

It's not always about one thread. Sometimes, especially with posters with a memorable, tug on the heartstrings story, it's about playing the long game. They build up trust, get people on social media, swap mobile numbers, real mates, you see, everybody on MN knows Jane, don't they? and then they start asking for stuff.

[TaraCarter]

Probably because they are.

The thing about skilful trolls is that they compete with genuine users for attention and advice and win. The tales of bored Liz the aspiring author are more interesting and better written than the posts of Cathy whose life has just fallen around her ears and left her shellshocked.

[TaraCarter]

P.S. I understand that this disbelief seems horrendously mean. I really, really do. Way, way, way back (well, 2009?) I remember being incredulous at the callousness of a poster who doubted a thread in relationships.

Seven years later, I now realise that poster was not being callous, she was being accurate and I so appreciate her frustration at seeing a load of newbies becoming emotionally invested in an online Penny Dreadful.