SP's thread was trolling?

I have a strong feeling trolls like these don't do it for "fun". Or for kicks. Or just because...

There must be something more complex going on. They actually need the waves of sympathy washing their way. And I bet they only do it on parenting websites like these; they know people here are genuinely concerned. A heart-rending story won't be cynically dismissed as they might be on any other generic posting forum.

I don't know. Sad state of affairs.

It was nice to see SP sharing day-today stuff about her son. If the troll has used details from what she has posted, won't this put off other users who want to talk about their family? Sounds the death knell for any kind of chat about children or relationships...

good

Good call MNHQ.

Very pleased to hear that you're working with the police on this, Justine. Excellent decision.

Derek I hope you and your brilliant DS - who always makes us smile on here - are doing well.

Good.

Pleased to read this.
Be interesting to see what comes out of it.

Yes Northern I'd not be surprised to find the troll posting on here. That would fit perfectly with the need to emotionally vampire from the aftermath just as some arsonists watch not just their own fire setting, but the public oohing and aahing over it. It sustains them.

I do think that this falls under the sending of malicious communications though - it'd be interesting to see what point of law would cover it.

Ultimately though I do have some sympathy for a person with such profound emotional emptiness and feelings of invisibility that they can only feel alive when they do something like this. It causes as much pain to the victim and others as they themselves are in.

People who have trolled celebrities on Twitter etc, were questioned by police. This included hurtful comments towards Tom Daley... however, imo those comments were nowhere near as spiteful & potentially hurtful as this recent thread.

So, I firmly believe that MNHQ have a DUTY to pass this to the police.

'You really can't see what a thrill and a power-trip it would be (even to a "normal" person) to provoke that kind of a response?'

Er - no, not really! I can sort of imagine how someone not particularly normal might get a thrill out of the shock factor, and people's reactions to something horrifying.

But no one 'normal' would feel the need to actually do that.

Speechless.

I have no words.

Give the traumatic nature of the false thread I think it is important that this thread has given people a chance to see what happened and get some feedback from HQ. The troll has probably re-registered and even posted here. That's the way with such creatures.

Wow. What must be going on in the troll's life for them to do this kind of thing for fun...?

Mignonette i'ts such a huge site now, with so many members that I imagine it would be impossible to even get that message across to enough people.

I would be a very interesting plea for MNHQ to put out in these very exceptional circumstances.

Could we all actually restrain ourselves, and, kindly, explain to people who slipped through the net?

SP - Just wanted to add my support to you and say thank Jeff that it was a Trolling Twat and not at all true.

MASSIVE (((HUGS))) TO YOU - glad that The 'Tude's fast asleep and will never have to know that some sick fuck troll has posted such dreadfully untrue and devastating things about him and in turn, potentially hurt his family, on a forum that is designed to support families, not fecking destroy them.

Night lovely xxx

Yes I do see that - shame there isn't a way of addressing peoples need for a report in a more discreet way because guaranteed this is all part of the behaviour and Mumsnet collectively is actively perpetuating it.

Maybe all HQ need to do is provide an explanation requesting people don't mull it over publicly. Bit of a difficult one really

You are absolutely right Mignonette, but I think this was necessary.

I can imagine if we hadn't had this opportunity to debrief, as it were, there may have been some very disturbed, distressed nights for people.

Derek... I don't think that I've been SO happy that it was a troll thread EVER. Very glad that it was not true. Still thinking of you....

To be honest, threads such as thins are further feeding the troll. They'll be delighting in all expressions of outrage.

I do hope MNHQ will tell us what the outcome is with the Police, if they can track the troll down and prosecute them.

I dunno about it's been brewing for a while, I never thought I'd see this type of trolling on here.

I'm so glad that was a troll iykwim

What I'm a bit concerned about is that Justine says she will ask SP if it's ok to go to the police.

I really don't think SP should be put in the position of having to decide. The decision should be taken out of SPs hands so there can be no comeback.

MNHQ should report if a crime had been committed.

No idea who SP is, and didn't see the thread, but WTAF?

It's been an education, in how sick people can be, since I joined MN :(

Glad all is ok, sorry people have been upset & hope SP is ok

Have trolls ever had much support on here? (Other than occasional obvious joke threads?)

The problem isn't that identified trolls get supported, it's identifying the trolls. And trying not to hurt the non-trolls too much while doing so.

Derek, this is just about the most shitty thing I've seen done on MN, and I've seen a lot. Un-MNetty hugs to you and the 'Tude.