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Original poster

Can we have a 'three strikes and you're out' policy for troll hunters?

86 replies

BlameItOnTheBogey · 09/09/2011 15:00

I'm so fed up of seeing threads being derailed by people crying troll. The mumsnet rules on this are clear; don't engage and report the thread if you are suspicious. But this never seems to happen. I'm sure that a lot of times people are right. But a lot of time, the troll-hunters are wrong too. I'd rather see a few people duped on a fake thread than see genuine posters put off asking for help when they most need it because a handful of people are convinced that they aren't telling the truth.

But there doesn't seem to be any real sanction for troll-hunters. How about a three-strikes-and-you're-out kind of thing. Not permanently but maybe account blocked for 24 hours or something. Anyone else agree?

OP posts:
kerrymumbles · 10/09/2011 23:33

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GetOrfMoiSamsungFridgeFreezer · 10/09/2011 23:32

If you intriduce sanctions, the troll hunting would just go under the radar, and people would post in a deliberately ambiguous way.

Which might be entertaining in itself.

I don't care about troll hunting. I do care about being infiltrated by arsewipes, though.

RealityVonCrapp · 10/09/2011 23:29

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GetOrfMoiSamsungFridgeFreezer · 10/09/2011 23:28

I think they should just decriminalise trollhunting.

That would be fun

kerrymumbles · 10/09/2011 23:27

This reply has been deleted

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Tyr · 10/09/2011 23:26

I've seen the worst of it on the feminist threads and some on AIBU. There are a few vociferous posters on the former who throw accusations of "troll" at anyone (particularly male) who challenges them. They sound like the cyber equivalent of spoilt children.
Sadly, it seems that MNHQ don't bother to read what they delete, let alone the context in which it is posted and that reflects poorly on them.
This is only an internet forum and the sort of saddo that reports posts needs to get a life.

DaydreamDolly · 10/09/2011 23:13
Hmm
stripeybump · 10/09/2011 23:10

On the Feminist section there is loads of troll-hunting - IMO it derails threads far more than any actual trolling. Also there can be a tendency there to call vehemently dissenting posters trolls which is quite annoying to see or be on the receiving end of.

Engage or report, none of Hmm -- this shit.

DaydreamDolly · 10/09/2011 23:05

Troll.

Maryz · 10/09/2011 23:05

This reply has been deleted

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iMemoo · 10/09/2011 23:05

Hmmm interesting first post op!

Welcome to mumsnet.

kerrymumbles · 10/09/2011 23:01

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DaydreamDolly · 10/09/2011 23:01

Troll.

Pagwatch · 10/09/2011 22:57

It is an alarming prospect isn't it.

TrillianAstra · 10/09/2011 22:55

Troll-hunter-hunter sanctions?

Pagwatch · 10/09/2011 22:55

How will we handle it if someone starts to falsely accuse others of being troll hunters?

JarethTheGoblinKing · 10/09/2011 22:50

Hello typos. sure and put people

JarethTheGoblinKing · 10/09/2011 22:47

I don't usually do it, but there was a subtle thread recently that people were unsure about. I was sire it was a troll (as well as reporting it) to out people off getting emotionally involved and investing too much time/effort

JarethTheGoblinKing · 10/09/2011 22:45

ROFL @ BOF(L)

BecauseImWorthIt · 10/09/2011 22:45

What do you count as troll hunting though?

Does "welcome to Mumsnet" or "this is the OP's first post" count? What if those posts are accompanied by reporting an OP to MNHQ? (Which no-one else would know about)

LeBOF · 10/09/2011 22:43

Troll-hunters are people too Sad

JarethTheGoblinKing · 10/09/2011 22:42
Hmm Wink
NetworkGuy · 09/09/2011 17:04

Oh, I see you suggested 24 hours. Hell no! That's just a smack on the ankle, I'd go much further... but maybe 2 months is a bit much... they might go away altogether after that time :)

How about a compromise... how about a 2 week ban on posting ?

NetworkGuy · 09/09/2011 16:59

and yes, I'd happily volunteer as 'police person'... might even write some scripts to search the top 20-30 threads and if 'troll' pops up in any, view it myself...

NetworkGuy · 09/09/2011 16:58

No, you're not on your own... They know they should not post with such an accusation, but do so anyway. So I'd suggest an even harsher approach than yours.

I'd say that for someone who has posted an accusation of troll, and has done so before (probably as a newbie), whether or not MNHQ has been on to give a polite reminder, it should be an instant block on posting for a couple of months, if not a complete ban.

That'd shut up those who seem to be unable to report a thread to MNHQ and act in vigilante mode... I don't care whether they are right or wrong, anyone shouting troll (and not as a first offence) need to be given more than a "smack on the wrist" and it would remind others not to do it, either !

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