Introducing AIBU voting

Sounds like the vote down button will be used by bullies to drown out voices and cliquey posters will use it down vote dissenting voices.

This is a massive issue on both Reddit and Facebook, both of which have this feature. How will MN make sure that it doesn't become one here?

I'd be very concerned about two issues; firstly that someone in a vulnerable place will see an absolute storm of downvotes which could be upsetting; and is likely to be far less helpful than people leaving comments explaining why or trying to help, and secondly that it will stifle discussion, and that's one of the reasons I come here. For the different experiences and perceptions.

Why was this rolled out without consultation; unlike the other changes?

Is this actually a case of being able to count more people as "active engaged users", as they've voted, so there appear to be less lurkers? Advertising incentive?

What a boring idea. Just click and go. Why bother?

Of all the things to increase engagement you go with this?

@OhYouBadBadKitten

100% agree with both your posts on this thread.

This 'vote' button seems very akin to a 'like' button which 90% of members disagree with having.

A couple of questions @TomsMumsnet:

Firstly, why are you introducing this without talking to us all about it in the first place? I ask this because you did consult on various boards being withdrawn.

Secondly, is MN struggling in some way? Do you need to increase interaction?

Similar reasons were quoted for removing some of the boards -some of which could be easily removed because they really do have no current relevance, but instead you though things like 'Teens' could be removed.

Thirdly by interaction do you mean 'clicks'? Is it a case of clicks means more cash?

Further to what I said last night, MN can of course, if they wish, choose to throw away any remaining ethical principles they may have about running a site where many people post when in a vulnerable position. But that seems a very sad direction to take when we see more and more the impact that social media does have on people's well-being.

It becomes 'trial by mob' where the mob don't care about the impact on the individual - blaming them for making what they see as a bad decision to post about an issue. It's especially easy to depersonalise impact when we are all faceless usernames. Is this a road you wish to travel down further?

I'd love to see it on the webchat this afternoon

It's quite rare for just the ^^this post

Because a characteristic of the site is for people to 'talk' considerably more.

I think it would be a great shame for that to be changed.

I haven't seen any threads in Site Issues asking for this feature to be introduced. There's no sign it is by popular demand.

Which is exactly the same as like/dislike or up/down voting whatever you wish to call it.

It's really not.

It really is.

I am guessing you have not been given the ability to do it?

To do what? You're wrong anyway. I have no wish to set up an AIBU post with voting on it and everyone can vote. I turned it off though because it's shit.

It's got to be better than quoting a previous post and saying

This^^

Which is the equivalent of a like button anyway.

"Does anyone really believe AIBU is beneficial to people's mental health in the first place?"

No, so that's definitely a good reason not to make it worse.

I donmt mind this purely because the OP has the option to turn it off as well as the reader. Otherwise I'd hate it to be forced on people. If it's a sensitive OP then they can switch it off.

No to a like button though! Ugh, popularity contest... great for peoples self esteem.

mabelsgarden "It's really not"

Ok, how is it different to a like/dislike button?

Rather than introducing tools that can be used to damage people's mental health,

Does anyone really believe AIBU is beneficial to people's mental health in the first place? Maybe on the other boards but there is no point in pretending that AIBU is some kind of support group. People use it for entertainment and it's obviously that many of the OPs are fictional.

Really mn? Rather than introducing tools that can be used to damage people's mental health, perhaps you could work on making the site more robust and less vulnerable to bugs and downtime.

Exactly.

Utter bollocks MNHQ, don't like it, closed it immediately and won't use it. Please desist from attempts to clone clickbait tactics from other sites, if I wanted that I would go to those sites. It is awful. You know these cheap hook tactics are based on those of casinos reeling in gambling addicts right?

@jessicawessica

It's very Jeremy Kyle isn't it MN???

It's very Jeremy Kyle isn't it MN?
Are you just trying to fit in?

I’d love a like button as well tbh This site needs changes

Hear hear

Ridiculous not being able to use it on the app 🙄

@TomMumsnet I presume this isn't available on the app? I can't find it on any AIBU threads

Sound of MN scraping the barrel.

FFS.

I thought MN was about information and debate, even if it got bunfight-y at times.

This is dire.

Agree with OYBBK

Yes yes yes!can we have "likes" on comments? Would be cool too...

So it appears my secret power only works on certain threads..

Great idea! Now people can count how popular they are.

Really mn? Rather than introducing tools that can be used to damage people's mental health, perhaps you could work on making the site more robust and less vulnerable to bugs and downtime.

I've been randomly selected!

Love the idea!

@SoupDragon

Which is exactly the same as like/dislike or up/down voting whatever you wish to call it.

It's really not.

I am guessing you have not been given the ability to do it?