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Original poster

Thread deletions

30 replies

Radrover · 14/07/2026 15:05

What is Mumsnet’s policy when a poster requests a thread deletion when they feel they have maybe said too much and their post is outing and will cause more trouble for the OP.
i asked to have a thread deleted from Adult children for this reason and I was told that it wasn’t going to happen because it wasn’t fair on people who have commented - so I was told I could move the thread to 30days and make a request that it didn’t appear on Trending.
I notice today that a poster in AIBU stated that they had made a similar request and the post was removed. So which is it? What is the policy?

OP posts:
Slightyamusedandsilly · 14/07/2026 16:07

LilyMumsnet · 14/07/2026 15:26

Hi OP,

Where possible, we'll usually see if there's another solution before deleting a thread altogether - for example, moving it to 30 Days Only or taking steps to reduce its visibility. That's because deleting an entire thread can affect everyone who's taken the time to contribute to it.

That said, if someone remains genuinely concerned after we've talked through the alternatives, we're not in the business of making anyone's life more difficult than it needs to be.

If you're still worried about your thread, please do report it again and we'll be happy to review it.

I reported a thread three times I was very distressed about. Nothing was done and I got no feedback from MN about why.

Original poster
Radrover · 14/07/2026 16:06

I was very distressed when one of your team told me that there were no circumstances that you wouldn't delete it. It wasn't a discussion, I was given no options despite explaining the circumstances. Thing is I really needed advice and I needed other people's point of view, I needed help. What I really didn't need was for the post to stay up increasing the likelihood that my dd would find it causing all sorts of problems.

That post went viral - it felt like you kept it up as it was getting lots of views, you didn't want to take it down because it was keeping members clicking driving up those ad stats - maybe I'm being cynical but something had changed - on previous occasions I'd been able to get sensitive things deleted but not that time - not when it drew in 200 replies in 30 mins.

OP posts:
NoCommentingFromNowOn · 14/07/2026 15:53

Hi @LilyMumsnet, just wanted to find out the difference so it is clear in my mind and for general transparency really.

@Radrover asked you to delete a thread about a close relative and you didn’t.

A different poster asked you to delete a thread about small children playing football in their own garden and you did delete that despite quite a few posters (including me) having contributed to it.

What is the difference please?

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 14/07/2026 15:38

Hi @LilyMumsnet youve just removed a thread about a woman whose neighbouring children are playing football in their garden, it doesn’t seem to fit any of the criteria you’ve mentioned here.

moving it to 30 Days Only or taking steps to reduce its visibility. That's because deleting an entire thread can affect everyone who's taken the time to contribute to it.

I contributed to that thread, so did other people, now it’s gone. What is the reason please? I do need to ask - would you rather people didn’t post?

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 14/07/2026 15:26

Hi OP,

Where possible, we'll usually see if there's another solution before deleting a thread altogether - for example, moving it to 30 Days Only or taking steps to reduce its visibility. That's because deleting an entire thread can affect everyone who's taken the time to contribute to it.

That said, if someone remains genuinely concerned after we've talked through the alternatives, we're not in the business of making anyone's life more difficult than it needs to be.

If you're still worried about your thread, please do report it again and we'll be happy to review it.