expanding trigger warnings

[trufflesnout]

I know trigger warnings have been discussed a fair bit - and I know that MNHQ still use them. Sometimes when the thread title is edited, a reason is added (eg: "spiders"), and sometimes not (so just "trigger"), so I know it must just be down to whoever ends up editing the thread.

But. I am not massively in favour of trigger warnings when we all try to decide if we like them or not, but if MNHQ are going to have them - can I ask that when the title is edited, a reason is included too?

Otherwise it's just massively off putting and actually no help at all to anyone who may be "triggered" by the threads contents.

Ty

[Samcro]

surely anything can be a trigger to someone.

[trufflesnout]

Well, yeah. MNHQ are already editing threads and adding trigger warnings though. Sometimes they include the reason, sometimes they don't.

[SurlyCue]

Yes a reason would be helpful. Putting trigger is fine, but trigger for what? How do you know whether the trigger is the thing that you or triggered by so as to avoid the thread? Or how do you know its ok for you to click? If you are triggered by talk of violence but the thread is about spiders then you wouldnt know whether to avoid or not. A reason in the title solves that.

[caroldecker]

But if you put the reason, then you set off the trigger?

[RainbowFlutterby]

If someone is triggered by a very basic brief mention of the content then they really shouldn't be on-line.

[RepeatAdNauseum]

Yes - like the spider thread mentioned, I didn't open because I'm severely arachnophobic. Five lots of professional counselling haven't helped me, and while seeing pictures of them won't ruin my day, it does set me on edge and make me uncomfortable and I'd have been unable to participate in the thread anyway. So having the trigger identified was useful, although I suppose it wasn't a real trigger, if you see what I mean.

[RebeccaMumsnet]

Hi all,

We do occasionally edit a title or post to add a trigger but we don't always.

Obviously, as others have said, anything and be a trigger so we make a judgement on a case-by-case basis and we will give a reason. Generally we would use trigger for graphic images, rape or domestic violence where it has been reported to us numerous times and we feel that it is upsetting lots of people and the OP hasn't been clear in their OP what the thread is about.

We will have a chat about making sure that we are consistent with any warnings, tbh, it is fairly rare that we have to do it but we do on occasion.

Hope that helps a little.