Mumsnetters, what are you like!

interesting - though I wonder how much 391 self-selecting respondents tells you (though I'm sure as academics you'll have covered that.)

On the lurking thing, I'm a relatively new poster, not yet even on the conception wagon, but I find that there is a language/ code which is impenetrable to the new user, I cite this current thread as an example:
"TTC any which way DP CM BT OPK Grapefruit drinking ...."

Given that this is in the conception folder, there is a good chance this is all new to me and others, and it's off-putting to say the least. I've found one thread so far that feels "open" to me, and I'm not quite sure what I'll do when I am no longer waiting to conceive.

That said, the type of posters, and quality of their posting, once I can get past the acronyms (and yes, I know there is a glossary) is far superior to other forums I've ventured onto. Plus, no bloody avatars and sign-offs!

I lurked from 2002 until I finally registered in 2006, but even then didn't really post much

it's scary as hell, let me tell you

bump

Peachy - don't worry! We know that 35 is actually terribly young.

It is just that, in comparison to previous research into other parenting sites, the Mumsnetters who responded to our survey were more 'mature'. We think that this is linked to the fact that the other parenting sites that have been investigated, such as Babyworld, have all been aimed at pregnant women or those with babies. Whereas Mumsnet is a 'broader church' and therefore you get the mothers of teens, etc, here. Meaning that the age range is wider.

Hah! There was a thread a few weeks back.. only 2 people posted- both oldtimers

We need to do a Lurkers unlurk campaign to get lurkers posting.

Very interesting. Agree sea lurkers comments are sad.
Maybe they're looking at the wrong threads? [hopeful]

rofl at 'in a non-contentious way'...

(and yes we are nice to lurkers LOL, unless they're BNP memebrs or similar in which case they'reprobably wise not to post)

Well if they wont post thats up to them, if we left it to them MN would die rapid death wouldn't it?

'The Mumsnet sample appears to be a comparatively older group of mothers, with three-quarters of the respondents aged between 31 and 50'

Oi. , I'm 35, hardly decreit!

And PMSL that 35% avoided SN. It's opt in you loons,just set it up properly

LURKERS

Please post, we are nice. Really we are.

Thanks very much Justine for putting this up.

Janet and I have written a chapter on our research for a book entitled 'Handbook of Research on Discourse Behavior and Digital Communication: Language Structures and Social Interaction' to be published later this year. The chapter is slightly longer than the title!

Obviously because of copyright we could not post the final chapter up, but are happy to share a draft with anyone who wants to contact us.

interesting!

15 out of 24 lurkers admitted to not posting because of concerns about how their post would be received:

Highly critical/judgemental responses of some posters
Lurking is fun and being jumped on by total strangers can be scary
A lot of the regular posters are very confident in what they write. I feel that if I post something that they don't agree with, then I may be publicly ridiculed.
Afraid of the response. Posts get ignored. To be honest, it's a bit cliquey.

aw we're nice we are

the sound of MNers going to find out what they're like