Can we have a topic where name changing is not allowed?

We cope without a NC ban.

I do read some posts and think 'well that's too much for MN to advise, you really need RL help'. But I get told all the time that some people literally have only MN to help them so have to post on here, there really is absolutely no other option whatsoever. And how lucky I must be to have RL support etc etc.

Which is all very well, but people coped before MN and when it was down due to Jeff etc.

RL help can only do so much. People want to come on here and talk to others that have had similar experiences or to off-load or to find out what the RL help available is.

No handholding or moral support?

Really? So no support for the bereaved? For difficult ante-natal choices? For abusive relationships? For homelessness? For money problems? For MH or PND?

If something you are posting is that identifiable then maybe you should take a step back & wonder if you should be posting.

But the people who give most away are the people with long term NNs. Or people in distress. Helping people in distress is one of the things MN does best. We should be proud of it and not scare people away by applying 'no NC across the site.

Make Chat the 'No NC' zone if you have to.

Jeff caused half of the current weirdness. I don't see why he should win TBH.

A civil legal action threatened by a litigious school, I should have said.

use the same NC for both DC's education (they won't be inflammatory or linked to non-school stuff so does it matter if anybody recognises her under that name?)

If there were identifying things about the children or schools (disability, special needs, a specific bullying incident, a distinctive selection procedure, a specialism etc etc) then I'd use two names too. Or not use MN for advice.

If you say your child has won a place by showing aptitude for music in an entrance assessment, to an otherwise comprehensive school, you detail a pattern of bullying including a punch to the face that narrows things down to people who know you. One or two questions from other posters about alternative possible schools nearby, the local authority, how the bullying was not seen by staff and it's getting really identifiable.

Then later you might want to come back for really frank advice about how to pursue a complaint or legal action. Or you might want to ask about specialist education for one of your other DC who has Downs and x level of attainment in y region of the country. But you wouldn't dare because it's getting much much too obvious who you are then.

There's already been one long legal debacle where MNers were named as co-defendants in a threatened civil action because of comments made in posts.

Education along with Health, Relationships, Conception, (Sex - grr) etc are the boards where NCs need to be unlimited or generous, IMO.

You're dealing wiv Moi, now usual

And I am the same as you, I like to know who I am posting to.

If something you are posting is that identifiable then maybe you should take a step back & wonder if you should be posting.

Poor Jane. It's ok to post a lot all on one board but not over several?

Anyway I apologise for the tangent. I'm not opposed to keeping some areas of the site nc-free, and I've described in depth my thoughts about preventing nc-ing within a single thread, but the unlimited nc feature is so much a part of MN that I can't see it ever going.

I mean, I don't know if I have a reputation/am a recognisable poster unlikely, given frequent fence-sitting but I believe it's possible both to maintain a consistent main nn and run discreet non-sock non-GF topic-specific nns of any number.

Same, usual. I really wish they'd consider this idea...I think it has the makings of the best of both worlds, really.

I just think NC should be allowed but restricted as part of trying to do something about the trolls and GFs.

But don't stalkers stalk cos they're trying to find out who you are by piecing together the personal information one has perhaps overshared? I don't really have a problem with the NC thing btw, I just don't get why it's unlimited. That way trollery/goadery lays.

There are posters who name change regularly because of real life "stalkers".

I have no problem with the ability to name change whatsoever.

I'd be more than happy for nc to go all together. If there is a serious breach of your privacy, you could always contact HQ and re-reg. Maybe relationships and the hideous sex board could have hidden usernames if requested or something.

I name changed once because I used the same name on Twitter and was getting grief off some bloke and didn't want him coming on here. I think that was my own stupid fault for not being more careful.

They should do another amnesty where they can reset the names so all the people who were forced to change cos of little Jeff can have their names back.

I have DannyDyer for some unknown reason if anyone wants it

I think Jane should stop the seasonal NC, use the same NC for both DC's education (they won't be inflammatory or linked to non-school stuff so does it matter if anybody recognises her under that name?) and the one for health issues. Sorted.

M48 It's a business, innit? I think that's where primary motivation layeth.

They sort of listen. But nothing ever happens really. They brought in 'Trending' and the emojis and nobody even asked for them. Lots of objections to both, but no consultation prior.

Jane is a bit too overenthusiastic with joining in with seasonal NC competitions. Calm down, Jane. The prizes have gotten loads smaller.