Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Laugh reaction

187 replies

Itsjustsodepressing · 28/04/2025 16:12

I know when MN introduced the reaction button which included the Laugh emoji a lot of posters weren't happy about it. And there have been various comments by posters about its misuse.

It is just being used so commonly now to mock and deride serious comments that are in no way funny. That can no way be interpreted as light hearted.

It would appear to be being used to try and drive posters off threads. And the impression I get is that it's actually often certain posters ganging up together to try and silence people who don't agree with them.

I think MN having guidelines for posters to stick to civilised responses to other posters is being undermined because they have given those who are minded to be unpleasant to other posters the perfect tool to be nasty to them without having to verbalise anything and risk getting their post removed.

I'm failing to see any benefit in providing the laugh emoji reaction when it's principal use now is to upset and drive away genuine posters.

I don't think it was a good idea in the first place and I would like to see MN remove this reaction option.

OP posts:
eatfigs · 02/06/2025 12:13

Could we maybe have another reaction to replace it, like "🔥"?

MNHQ
BeckyAMumsnet · 02/06/2025 11:58

Hi all - just a quick note to say we’ve now removed the laugh reaction, as it was increasingly being used to poke fun at other posters, which is not quite the spirit we’re aiming for. It's worth saying that most of you were using it in good faith but we want to keep the boards a helpful and supportive place for MNers and reactions that come across as mocking don’t really help with that.

This is why we can’t have nice things - and thanks so much for all your feedback.

JaneJeffer · 19/05/2025 20:15

I don’t know if I am allowed to link @BIWIand the last time I posted a screenshot from another thread it got deleted

BIWI · 19/05/2025 19:45

I haven’t seen that (yet) @JaneJeffer

JaneJeffer · 19/05/2025 19:18

And now we have people saying how many agrees they got so that makes them right Hmm

BIWI · 18/05/2025 19:29

If you want to respond to a poster/post that you think they/it is funny, then what’s wrong with Grin?

SirChenjins · 18/05/2025 14:03

Comic relief can be much needed - but a hidden emoji doesn’t provide that.

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 18/05/2025 13:48

eatfigs · 18/05/2025 10:39

Might it be better to only remove the laugh emoji in topics that discuss serious issues?

It's often very nuanced, though. Some threads are clearly very serious/tragic and certainly not laughing matter, whilst others are a great lighthearted hilarious chuckle-fest.

It's all of the ones in-between, though, which straddle a wide spectrum of human emotion and can and do give rise to genuine humour in the midst of adversity.

Sometimes it clearly helps the OP in being able to enjoy some comic relief even in the wider context of a sad, annoying, embarrassing or frustrating scenario.

eatfigs · 18/05/2025 10:39

Might it be better to only remove the laugh emoji in topics that discuss serious issues?

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 18/05/2025 09:53

AnSolas · 17/05/2025 17:36

👏👏👏

Good choice @BeckyAMumsnet

but its sad that it has to be done.

Yes, I agree - it's a shame that this is why we 'can't have nice things'.

There are lots of very sharp and extremely witty people on here - Two Left Socks springs immediately to mind.

it's a real pity that a perfectly-timed, deliberately hilarious comment can't be acknowledged and appreciation shown to the poster for giving us a good genuine laugh anymore.

Needlesnah · 18/05/2025 08:51

The thumbs down emoji gives me gladiator vibes, I don’t think that would be a good alternative…

SirChenjins · 18/05/2025 08:45

That’s great news MN - glad to hear it.

Please don’t replace it with a 👎 or any other negative emoji, it will just be used as a way of mocking posters by the same idiots. If someone disagrees with someone, especially on more sensitive topics, then they need to explain why they disagree - they need to use their words like grown ups.

BIWI · 18/05/2025 08:28

I agree @RubyRubyRubyRubyAhAhAhAhAhAaaahany disagreement should be made openly. Preferably with specific reasons

RubyRubyRubyRubyAhAhAhAhAhAaaah · 18/05/2025 08:20

I'd rather people commented/made their point instead of a thumbs down if they don't agree with someone tbh.

Zonder · 18/05/2025 08:14

BeckyAMumsnet · 17/05/2025 16:44

Hello @JaneJeffer that's correct - we are going to remove the emoji for the reasons outlined on this thread. We'll post an update here once it's gone and in the meantime, please report any misuse to us.

Could you give a more sensible disagree emoji? If there was a simple thumbs down or head shake I think people could show their disagreement without resorting to mocking or necessarily adding negative comments.

Sometimes I just want to say I disagree with you to someone without making a comment and starting an argument.

All that's left now is emojis to mark agreement and sometimes it's good for a poster to know people don't all agree without it descending into quarrels.

BustingBaoBun · 17/05/2025 19:51

Good to hear. Someone followed me around doing the laugh emoji on loads of my posts and I challenged them. They told me they could do it, so they will

ilovesooty · 17/05/2025 19:48

Good
I reported someone this week who used it to mock one of my posts (they did it anonymously too) and MNHQ dealt with it very quickly.

AnSolas · 17/05/2025 17:36

👏👏👏

Good choice @BeckyAMumsnet

but its sad that it has to be done.

JaneJeffer · 17/05/2025 17:05

Thanks @BeckyAMumsnet

MNHQ
BeckyAMumsnet · 17/05/2025 16:44

Hello @JaneJeffer that's correct - we are going to remove the emoji for the reasons outlined on this thread. We'll post an update here once it's gone and in the meantime, please report any misuse to us.

JaneJeffer · 17/05/2025 15:37

According to MN on Trust Pilot they were going to remove the laugh emoji but I’ve just had someone taking the piss with it again @LilyMumsnet

Laugh reaction
Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 07/05/2025 17:28

Oh god can you imagine the threads though? Hurt feelings about not getting any likes on your post or being the only one the op didn't click the thank you button for?
It would all end in tears and tantrums.
Better to stay private. Or be removed. There's not really much of a point to them.

BIWI · 07/05/2025 17:18

Having thought about it, I am inclined to think that publicly visible reactions would be better than those only visible to the person who posted the comment.

Which can already be done, using the various emojis we have available to us!

BeNiceWhenItsFinished · 07/05/2025 16:40

SirChenjins · 07/05/2025 15:10

You'll see them on the most recent one/s though. If you were to start a thread for advice the chances are you would be following the replies and you would see all the emojis someone has left you.

Having thought about it, I am inclined to think that publicly visible reactions would be better than those only visible to the person who posted the comment. I agree that if someone is posting on a sensitive topic, it could be distressing to see that people are laughing at you. As I already mentioned, the issue hasn't affected me personally though.

SirChenjins · 07/05/2025 15:41

Bu that's not always the case, far from it - as been explained here and on other threads about this.