Is it time to start paying for MN membership?

Like I said, I don't like the idea of a fee, but the suggestion is NOT because one poster was suspended (for a week), but because of what led to her suspension: an attempt to discourage goaders and shitstirrers and trolls who post for the fun of watching the fall-out.

A tenner because one person got banned? No way

No to a fee.

Some interesting ideas on here - a bit more creative.

I think it's a good idea.

£10 would be low enough that most people could afford it but high enough that people wouldn't join during school/holidays or after a high profile (Penis beaker) type thread just to shit stir.

For those wondering, MRA is short for 'Mens Rights Activist'.

Some of those who are called this are just posting to wind up feminists, but the term is also used to negatively label anyone who feels that maybe, sometimes, just perhaps men might have a legitimate grievance.

For instance, you might have someone who suggests that family courts are too biased towards awarding custody towards women. Whether it happens or not, it's a legitimate thing to debate and question, but they are likely to be dismissed as just another MRA and have their sense of injury or perspective minimalised and ignored.

But then you might have someone who regularly posts on threads about battered wives suggesting that the wife was asking for it or trying to ameliorate the husbands actions. Obviously unacceptable trolling and should be banned.

I don't think mn becoming a pay site is a good idea, there a a fair few members who are totally on the breadline or who would not want mn coming up on their bank statements due to relationship problems. More reporting and less engaging with perceived trolls would be good.

maybe a mumsnet staff member could check out Gamesfaqs.com.
they have a massive forum system and operate a Board level and "Karma" system.

basically, new members can't post more than a handful of messages, but as their karma builds they can post more and access more features of the boards. Karma is gained by having an active message on the boards, being modded looses Karma. it works pretty well.

www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/entry.html?cat=18

Which topic are the MRA in LEM? I really have missed all of this.

I have to say as well that I spend quite a bit of time on MN at the moment as on maternity and this description of it being overrun with trolls and goading isn't my experience at all. It's just fine.

I understand that people find it an issue on Feminism and Relationships, where I don't tend to go, but to introduce a site-wide fee or solution in order to solve a problem on a couple of forums would piss off a lot of people who are quite happy with things as they are.

Perhaps the people on those forums need more encouragement to report, not respond, and perhaps more active moderation.

But clearly there has been a lot of complaining about goading which MN are trying to deal with, then when they warned a poster about that thread of things adults don't do for being goady, posters were up in arms about that too. Tough gig.

you are right yes - there is a bigger picture but that is about the gist of it. MRA are mens rights activists, it has been those doing the goading, this time. We are most definately NOT anti-men on this site, but these idiots feel threatened so try to goad and cause trouble. The whole idea of a MRA makes me smirk anyway

I would pay to post.

Certainly.

£10 a year wouldn't be an astonishing amount. It would put people off though if they were just here to troll.

I know it puts me off using the for sale section. That isn't quite the same but still...

Thanks LEM, but after looking around i get the feeling someone very popular got banned through no fault of their own last night and it has upset a lot of regulars who have now changed their names to reflect their annoyance........ or something like that.

If people are no longer anonymous then they do tend to behave much better. However, they also tend to engage less and be far more cautious in their responses. This really would take the soul out of mumsnet.

As a previous poster said, you need to report and not engage. AF was banned for breaking the rules, no one should be above the rules.

If the goady people keep popping up then keep reporting. MNHQ will keep a record of which is reported and while their individual posts may stay within the rules, if they build up a significant number of reports I am certain that would be flagged to MNHQ who would investigate further.

Breaking rules does and should have consequences. The reason for the rule breaking does not matter.

I may be being stupid, but what is an MRA?
I guess Goady means someone who likes to annoy or goad people, but i can't think what MRA means....

pinkberryguy Welcome - you may want to come back in a weeks time when this has all blown over!

No, I wouldn't want a fee to use mumsnet. I agree with tee, report. I don't join in the goady threads. I do wonder if there was less engagement then the goaders wouldn't get the feedback they want.

Mumsnet is a great resource, I have found it massively supportive and it has kept me sane through trying times. If I'd had to pay I wouldn't have joined.

I don't think it's needed IMO. Less reacting, more reporting and maybe some handpicked volunteers/regular users with minimal buttons to take some strain off the admins might help.

I don't think I would pay currently with all these companies sponsoring stuff and paying MNHQ.

Goading is too broad a description IMO.

I had a strange incident last week where it appeared I was goading I think. but I wasn't.

Pancake it was for CAT, or what is now called Private Messages.

Also ideas for the 'no' pile I've seen be shit

Not allowing posts for a day after registering
Pre-moderation of new posters posts until such a time they are deemed reasonable

Reporting and not responding to trolls and goading by regular users is the key.

How about signing up with a few details then? Name/address/phone number?

Did there not used to be a £5.00 registration fee. Think it got you into local site area ??? Or have I been having funny dreams?