"I've name changed for this"

[inlalaland7]

What is the purpose of this announcement at the beginning of a thread? Why do we all need to know that someone has changed their username? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I've only been on Mumsnet a few weeks and have seen this loads of times and keep wondering why it's necessary to put this at the beginning of a post?

It's so you know that although their posting history makes them look like a new poster, they've actually been around a while.

And it means 'I don't want you looking up my name on search and linking this to all my other posts'

People search users all the time on here.

It's wise to name change before starting a thread that could be outing, it's also wise to say you've namechanged before people start with "interesting first post" or "welcome to MN".

Bc you get a lot of trolls or goady posts and by saying that upfront you are letting people know you are genuine and a regular user of the site and preempting anyone who is suspicious that your “first” post is potentially provocative or delicate (let’s say you’re posting about sex or bowel habits!)

I always think it’s weird that name changing is prolific and yet people do the whole ‘you’re new and therefore this isn’t true’ thing.

I wonder if people state it because it’s become convention, like never specifying what ‘the hobby’ is.

It's because of what used to be constant troll hunting and BUT YOU SAID THIS IN AUGUST 2017 when people get advanced searched.

Trolls often start with it too, trying to convince everyone that their thread is genuine.

Because otherwise people can be really mean about you having any right to an opinion on anything, if you’ve ever admitted to struggling with anything else.

Under an old username I admitted some personal issues. I then commented on another thread and was trolled because apparently I should be keeping my own house in order before commenting on anyone else’s!

Used to explain that someone is a regular but purposely doesn’t want a post linked to others.

I’m always amused at “Name change for this. Penis beaker, Mexican house thief, Pom Bears” like they’re some kind of secret code.

I didn't name change for years and years on MN, then I started doing it almost every day. I find that it helps to decompress my annoyance at idiots and posters who just want an argument with everyone. I guess it also helps me stay anonymous, as I generally post honestly and factually about my life.

If I start a thread, I usually say I've name changed, but not always. If it's about something emotive, perhaps, just to - as pp have said - avoid the 'interesting first post'/troll hunting crap.

Yes, that always irritates me for some reason. It's completely meaningless.

I understand why people do it, although most of the " interesting first post" replies I've seen tend to be on typical troll topics (toilet habits, menstruation, twins, threads fishing for people to share anecdotes about school toilets).

What does your last paragraph even mean? Been here a year so I suspect it's stuff before my time?

Yes, that's true.

I've also noticed recently (ish) that when you go back to a thread you've posted on, it reverts to the username in use at that time. At least I think it's new - maybe I just didn't notice it before

They're all 'classic' MN thread titles, used to (supposedly) show that they're longterm posters.

Yes, that’s pretty new. Stops people sockpuppeting.