Trolling of the Bereavement board

[NorthernLebkuchen]

Yet again I have reported a thread which has turned out to be dodgy and deleted. I've lost count of how many that is over the time I've been on mumsnet. Trouble is that on that board, above all others, people want to be kind. People struggling withtheir loss reach out hands to others. It's fantastic support but truly awful when it's some git of a troll getting a very sick kick indeed. So can something be done? Maybe a time delay so no new thread will appear there till checked by MNHQ? Maybe no recent namechanges or new registrations posting unless cleared by MHHQ?

i know none of this is easy to arrange but I really feel something needs to be done. It's just awful.

[Sirzy]

Thats awful, which thread was it?

Its such a hard one because for those who are genuine which most are they will often need that instant response as a way of expressing their feelings to strangers rather than 'burdening' friends and relatives.

Perhaps if MNHQ just try to (and probably easier said than done) check out the posters soon after the thread has started just to make sure all seems above board?

[NorthernLebkuchen]

It was the one with a baby who had died in a fall.

I just think instant response has to stop on that board. We cannot go on like this.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Not sure that would work, tbh. How do you verify bereavement on an anonymous forum? I bloody hate the trolling there, though. It causes real hurt to real people. It's kicking people when they're down.

[NorthernLebkuchen]

They can't verify bereavement no, but perhaps could check is not a new registration with suspicious features. I don't know how they troll check now but they clearly do. I think that just needs to pre-emptive in that area.

[CoffeeQueen187]

Was that a troll thread about the baby who died from a fall?

WTAF is wrong with some people? It's sickening to even think someone would make something like that up :(

Bastards!

[WildThong]

Oh, I saw that one, how awful that someone would make up something like that
Some people

[BoreOfWhabylon]

I agree, Northern. I think it would help if MNHQ routinely checked out the OP of all new threads on that board, not wait until someone asks them to take a look.

[Sirzy]

But even then someone may come on with a new account because they know they will get support, or name change because they don't want their normal ID identifying.

Its a hard one but we don't want to make things harder for the majorty of posters on there who are genuinly in need of support

[DecorKateTheXmasTreeMumsnet]

Hi everyone,

We know the thread you're talking about, and it really is unfortunate that it turned out the way it did. We're grateful to everyone who reported it to us, which meant we were able to nip it in the bud relatively quickly.

We are of course always looking for ways to make the boards a better place to post, and welcome all suggestions. In regards to checking new threads and new registrations, the fact of the matter is Mumsnet receives so many new joiners a day (the vast majority of whom are completely kosher) that manually checking and verifying them would take up a considerable amount of resources.

All we can advise MNers is to never give away more than you can afford to lose (emotionally or otherwise), and if you're in any doubt, report to us

[TheZeeTeam]

Tbh, I do feel a bit sorry for people who have nothing better to do in their lives than go on random forums pretending to have a dead baby. You must have a very sad and pathetic rl to get your kicks like that.

It doesn't mean I don't think they are giant dickheads though.

[NorthernLebkuchen]

It has happened SO many times. I remember one was right after the death of a well known mumsnetter's child. Literally about 12 hours later up popped a thread which made me think becuse I have a highly suspicious mind now. It was like the sense the emotional energy and move in for a hit of it. It reminds me a lot of the Dementors in Harry potter actually.

[NorthernLebkuchen]

Kate I know you can't check all new posters. It's just that one board that is so vulnerable and has had an ongoing problem with gits.

[lottieandmia]

To troll on a bereavement board is beyond awful. But I don't see how MNHQ can easily figure out who is not a troll on face value. There are many regular trolls on sites don't forget. It's a complicated issue. Remember the story of the woman who had twins that were is SCBU and then died (not on MN). The troll kept this story running for years before they were discovered.

[GodRestTEEMerryGenTEEmen]

My God what a horrible thing to do.

But I would imagine there is no way to do what you're asking. MN is just too big.

[NorthernLebkuchen]

Sirzy - if regular posters knew there is a delay there then surely that wouldn't be so bad would it? Or do you reckon the trolls would just spread elsewhere and post in exactly the same way but in Chat etc?

[strongandsturdy]

Had a very strong feeling that thread was bogus as I read through it

Just the general tone. and It's incredibly rare a baby would harm themselves seriously from falling off a sofa - I've done it, as I think have most people.

What a horrible person

[BitOfFunWithSanta]

It is very uleasant, but a common feature of the Internet, sadly, not just MN. I think that all you can do is use your common sense, and report stuff that seems dodgy. If you see a poster whom you know has been through similar being sucked in, give them a discreet heads up via PM and just remind them that they need to take care of themselves online.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

The thing is, if a thread is reported MNHQ can often tell pretty quickly if it is a troll. So, wouldn't even need a delay, just MNHQ routinely checking new OPs on bereavement section only.

Of course some will still slip through but many will be caught, as the latest one was.

[GodRestTEEMerryGenTEEmen]

Maybe that's the answer, some sort of heads up thing for reports from that topic.

[everythinghippie29]

Jeez, somebody made that up! I read it and felt awfully sorry for everyone, including the '9 year old daughter' blaming herself!

I'm 9 months pregnant and was horrified at the prospect of any harm coming to my little boy.

I honestly cannot comprehend why anyone would ever make something like that. I've seen some crazy trolling in the past but on a board designed to help those suffering the pain of grief and loss is beyond sick!

[BettyBotter]

Thank god MN got to it quickly. But also thank god it wasn't real.

[OLittleTownOfBarflehem]

God, what utter wankers there are. Some people just shouldn't be allowed a keyboard!