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Original poster

Is this a new rule regarding posting selfies?

39 replies

PillsBox · 09/07/2026 11:24

I've just seen a thread by someone who posted a 'guess my age' 'selfie', has been deleted with the message from MNHQ...

"This thread has been deleted
We're taking this one down as we're not comfortable hosting threads inviting comments on uploaded photographs when we can't verify that the images are of the poster or are shared with permission."

I must say I couldn't agree more, as we never know whether the photo is of the actual poster, or posted by an ex or someone else with a vendetta, inviting criticism.

However, I'm just wondering if this is an actual rule now and if we should report when we see them?

OP posts:
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Original poster
PillsBox · 15/07/2026 12:13

KellyMumsnet · 15/07/2026 11:52

Thanks @PillsBox . We did have concerns about that particular thread. We don't feel it's fair to go into those reasons publicly. We hope you understand. We just try not to discuss individual posters on the boards.

But in general, there's no blanket policy and there's been no change in policy. We just take every reported thread on a case by case basis so please do hit the report button on any threads like this that you want us to take a look at.

Ok, thank you @KellyMumsnet

Although I really don't think MN should be hosting any kind of facial photos where participants are encouraged to critique the OP and guess their age.

There are too many nasty people out there who could well be posting someone else's photo.

And let's face it, those threads cannot possibly help the OP anyway given the ages will rang from 25 to 65.

OP posts:
MNHQ
KellyMumsnet · 15/07/2026 11:52

Thanks @PillsBox . We did have concerns about that particular thread. We don't feel it's fair to go into those reasons publicly. We hope you understand. We just try not to discuss individual posters on the boards.

But in general, there's no blanket policy and there's been no change in policy. We just take every reported thread on a case by case basis so please do hit the report button on any threads like this that you want us to take a look at.

Pinkissmart · 14/07/2026 20:36

I hope they ban ‘line eyes’ threads too. Like, NO ONE KNOWS!!!

Taztoy · 14/07/2026 19:32

@KellyMumsnet how does your statement square with you requesting photos of individuals and their friends as teens for an advertising campaign?

OP posts:
Original poster
PillsBox · 13/07/2026 20:25

KellyMumsnet · 13/07/2026 20:08

Hi there @PillsBox . There's been no change of policy as far as we know. Without having sight of the thread it's probable there was more going on here than simply the picture. If we could see it was a regular user that we had no concerns about it's unlikely we'd remove the whole thread. But if we were worried that the picture might be of someone who hadn't agreed to it being used, that would be a different thing.

Could you send us a link to the (Deleted) thread? If we can see the thread in question we'd be happy to have a closer look and see if there's more we can tell you.

@KellyMumsnet thank you for your reply.

I'll scour my TIO list from a few days ago and see if I can find it.

However, this is the bit I'm particularly interested in...

"when we can't verify that the images are of the poster or are shared with permission."

When are photos ever verified when a poster starts a 'guess my age' thread or similar?

And what is the verification process?

OP posts:
MNHQ
KellyMumsnet · 13/07/2026 20:08

Hi there @PillsBox . There's been no change of policy as far as we know. Without having sight of the thread it's probable there was more going on here than simply the picture. If we could see it was a regular user that we had no concerns about it's unlikely we'd remove the whole thread. But if we were worried that the picture might be of someone who hadn't agreed to it being used, that would be a different thing.

Could you send us a link to the (Deleted) thread? If we can see the thread in question we'd be happy to have a closer look and see if there's more we can tell you.

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:53

The one about a dress last night was the worst one. OP was asking if it was suitable for a first date (it was so short I was surprised you couldn’t see her hoohar) but the photo was of her and two mates?? Why would you break the anonymity but then also put your friends up online on a thread that’s asking to scrutinise an outfit? Mind boggles

Original poster
PillsBox · 13/07/2026 18:21

I'm almost past caring about my question. I'm just annoyed this thread has been up for 4 days without MNHQ so much as glancing at it 🤣🤣

OP posts:
DixonD · 13/07/2026 18:15

@kellymumsnet

Might work. @MNHQ definitely doesn’t work.

If it works, sorry “Kelly”, yours was the only name I could recall 😂

Original poster
PillsBox · 13/07/2026 14:45

AnonymityAnonymity · 13/07/2026 14:41

I always thought MN monitored the Site Stuff Board and replied to OPs without tge OP actually needing to ask them for a comment?

Show quote history

It really does seem to be monitored less and less over the last few months.

OP posts:
AnonymityAnonymity · 13/07/2026 14:41

BIWI · 10/07/2026 16:09

@PillsBox tagging MNHQ doesn't work. They don't get those notifications.

I always thought MN monitored the Site Stuff Board and replied to OPs without tge OP actually needing to ask them for a comment?

Original poster
PillsBox · 13/07/2026 14:03

MNHQ, if anyone's around I'd really like a quick answer please if you don't mind?

OP posts:
Original poster
PillsBox · 10/07/2026 16:52

BIWI · 10/07/2026 16:09

@PillsBox tagging MNHQ doesn't work. They don't get those notifications.

Thanks, I didn’t realise.

It would seem starting a thread in Site Stuff doesn’t work either 😁

OP posts:
BIWI · 10/07/2026 16:09

@PillsBox tagging MNHQ doesn't work. They don't get those notifications.

Original poster
PillsBox · 10/07/2026 12:52

Overtheatlantic · 10/07/2026 11:28

But what about the jumpsuit thread from yesterday? That was a selfie.

I didn’t see that thread but were they asking what people thought of the jumpsuit?

If so, they don’t need their face in it anyway.

OP posts:
Rollercoaster1920 · 10/07/2026 11:38

Will if affect sporner corner?

User18713903 · 10/07/2026 11:34

Darragon · 09/07/2026 12:41

I’m all for banning selfies. At best they’re attention seeking. There was a problematic thread a couple of weeks ago where it looked like bullies had uploaded a picture of a teen to get people to comment on it. The OPs comments were bizarre and clearly designed to get negative comments about the photo. I am glad MN are taking this seriously.
I did love how we dealt with a spate of endless “Guess my age” threads a few years back and loads of people started giving silly answers because everyone was fed up of so many of these threads.

Agree. They never go well. Ever. Ive seen a few of them and in some cases its fairly obvious the poster has some learning difficulties and gets a bashing about their looks and then gets very, very upset.

Others appear like they are posting someone else's photos to get people to slag them off.

Either way its unhealthy and encourages bullying

Decacaffeinatednow · 10/07/2026 11:31

@Overtheatlantic
Exactly. I reported that to MN yesterday on the basis of this thread. Lily's reply was 'can you let us know what you mean by a selfie'. The mind boggles.

SirChenjins · 10/07/2026 11:31

Overtheatlantic · 10/07/2026 11:28

But what about the jumpsuit thread from yesterday? That was a selfie.

That was the first thing that came to my mind too. This is a great rule if it's now the official stance.

I'd also like it applied to those awful threads about people's homes on Right Move where posters want others to comment on how 'horrible' a house is. Really nasty and unnecessary.

Whorulestheroost1 · 10/07/2026 11:30

Overtheatlantic · 10/07/2026 11:28

But what about the jumpsuit thread from yesterday? That was a selfie.

She should have blocked out her face, the suit was awful and just invited negative comments IMO.

itchyelbowsandswollenankles · 10/07/2026 11:29

There was a really nasty thread this week where the OP has seemingly taken stills from a social media video of a woman to get people to comment on her weight. Hopefully MNHQ are cracking down

Whorulestheroost1 · 10/07/2026 11:29

Chesspitofbacteria · 09/07/2026 12:21

You don't need "clarification" on whether or not it's a new rule.

The deletion message is perfectly clear.

If you see similar in the future just report the thread and MN will take it down.

This is the site stuff board. I presume you don't work for MN??

Overtheatlantic · 10/07/2026 11:28

But what about the jumpsuit thread from yesterday? That was a selfie.

Original poster
PillsBox · 10/07/2026 11:26

@MNHQ is anyone available to look at this thread please?

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