to be annoyed that some MNers shout TROLL to anyone who posts a subject that requires a lot of debate and discussion

[pigletmania]

Well am I . I am really fed up with people shouting 'troll' just because a fellow Mumsnetter dares post a subject that sparks a lot of debate, annoying imo. Get the troll detectors out

[Confuzzeled]

TROLL

[theworldsgoneDMmad]

YANBU though!

[pigletmania]

thanks, I will get my troll outfit ready

[Idontknowhowtohelpher]

Yes, I was described as a troll a couple of weeks ago. I was posting asking for help for dd1 and I wanted to be able to show her the thread. I didn't want her to know my usual nickname as there are posts I've written that I wouldn't necessarily want her to see. (Not that they are about you dd1 - if you happen to read this ). It wasn't particularly nasty but just an extra annoying niggle at a difficult time.

[cutekids]

yanbu....a few years ago i posted-under a different name-about something that was happening in my relationship.It probably did look quite unbelieveable to some people who haven't experienced something like it,but it was seriously,really happening to me and I was accused of being a troll....Some people just live in a very "PERFECT" world and don't believe anything that's perhaps just a little bit unusual.

[crazylizzy]

I agree. I've actually stepped back a lot from MN recently due to that very reason. I find it incredibly annoying and rude. In my first post which I genuinely needed support and advice, I was called a troll simply because it was my first post (as if they've never had a first post?!)

Troll hunters don't seem to realize that some of these posters may be at a low point or sometimes even desperate for support and being called a troll can actually be rather damaging.

[madamearcati]

i don't think its because 'the subject requires a lot of debate' so much as when the OP just doesn't ring true.

[pigletmania]

I totally agree, people on here can be so insensitive shouting troll so liberaly without thinking, and putting first time Mumsnetters off. Nobody lives in a perfect world and some peoples lives are a bit different. I have posted about a couple of subjects and have been called a troll a couple of time, which i am not i am just interested in different subjects and opionons, we dont all talk about babies, poo,wee or behaviour some of us like a bit of discussion

[Bucharest]

YANBU.

What is sad, is that inevitably these are threads where someone is crying out for help.

[Beachcomber]

Some things just don't ring true, although that doesn't mean that they aren't true.

People are rightly a bit careful on internet forums.

I can understand that some people start off on MN with a meaty thread that requires debate/advice but they would probably be better off joining in a non contentious thread on camping/style/food or summat for a first post.

It is common on most forums for people to test the water before they ask for personal advice/start a debate.

Name changing is a good thing to have a site like this. Most name changers who are asking for advice say that they are a long time poster and make reference to some well known on MN but slightly obscure reference in order to make it clear that they are not a troll.

[izzybiz]

My SIL posted on this site for the first time when her 19 month old DD had just died from pneumococcal meningitis.
She wanted to spread awareness of the disease to other parents and mentioned that there was a vaccine that could have saved hr Dd (now given routinely)

Because she had never posted before and had mentioned a vaccine, she was accused of being a troll all she wanted to do was raise awareness.

She was apologised to and went on to become a regular poster. Some people should maybe take a moment to think sometimes.

[ilovesprouts]

i agree whith izzybiz

[Beachcomber]

That's a sad story izzybiz.

I understand your sister's motivation but IMO it was a bit naive of her to post about such emotive issues on a first post.

(Disclaimer; absolutely NOT looking for a discussion about vaccination with my next comment.)

My DD1 reacted terribly badly to her baby jabs and they made her extremely ill. I found MN when I was looking for advice about her health problems. It would NOT have been a good idea for me to make my first post saying my DD had been vaccine damaged and warning others about the possible dangers of vaccines. I would have been called a troll and no doubt been flamed.

I think my first thread was in camping asking for advice about ground sheets.

I have since stuck my oar into the vaccine debate and spoken about my DD but I certainly didn't in my first post.

This is the internet, there is a non written etiquette which you don't have to abide by but it is there for a reason.

Unfortunately on MN we do get trolls and journalists (and sometimes people who get off on talking about personal/sensitive subjects).

I agree that shouting troll all the time is annoying but people who think they can start off their time on MN by posting about something sensitive and not come under suspicion are being a bit naive. Sorry.

[madamearcati]

But probably AIBU isn't the place to post about sensitive stuff.Troll-spotting doesn't happen as much on other boards does it ?

[CitizenPrecious]

There are a lot of women in some sort of trouble who find their way to this site because they're in trouble, and by definition their very first post is contentious. They don't know the "rules" because they haven't been here for any length of time.

I know this, because I dun it

...mind you, it doesn't stop me shrieking TROLL delightedly at the top of my voice every week now and then

I will try and stop, I will...

[mylovelymonster]

There are some ludicrous threads that pop up though obviously spoiling for a popcorn bunfight.

[Beachcomber]

I get that Citizen but surely most people understand the concept of online communities and they join a place and check it out a bit before they start posting about personal issues, for their own protection if nothing else.

[IHateWinter]

But then the problem is you say you're not a TROLL and that you're a regular poster...only to get asked "If you're not a TROLL why have you name-changed then" Then you get accused of deliberately trying to start a fight, when no, actually, you just happen to feel strongly about something. What is the point of having an AIBU thread if everytime someone posts something deemed unreasonable, controversial, or sensitive they get accused of TROLLING because... you think it's unreasonable or sensitive? Where should they post then? Phew! Trolling off now.

[CitizenPrecious]

I didn't, Beachcomber

...but then I am a bit of a twat

...I even used a bit of txt spk in my first post, iirc

[meltedchocolate]

I actually think it just shows how SAD SAD SAD the troll shouters are. They take time to check out people!!! SAD. GET - A - LIFE!!!!

I have name changed twice because once i offended and was rude and ashamed of myself for doing so and second time because i had talked about my relationship and given advice in some threads. Mine has now fallen apart so feel it necessary to name change and start over if you like.

[Beachcomber]

Well there you go then Citizen you only have yourself to blame!

[NanaNina]

I have not been using MN for long and I have often wondered about this TROLL thing. I have assumed it is something that is perceived to be made up,to get a reaction. Is that right? Where did the term come from? Incidentally can someone tell me what "bump" means?

[meltedchocolate]

bump is to get a thread back to the top of the list so people will see it again and are more likely to post. And yes that is a troll. I know why MNers shout it (it is so irritating) but think those who go looking for it are just sad.

[Chickenshavenolips]

The troll issue puts me off from posting about a very real issue in my life. I'm well aware that written down it would look like a plot line from 'Eastenders', so I haven't dared. Despite the fact that I think there are people here who might be able to help. Truth really can be stranger than fiction.

[CitizenPrecious]

Do it, chicken shave... and if I anyone shouts troll, just ignore me them.

I do find that a lot of people do exactly that and everyone continues posting regardless. Then I the troll finders generally extinguish their burning torches and slink away, a faint blush of shaaaaame on their cheeks- something like this