Anyone noticed an increase in weird stalker behaviour on mumsnet?

[A12348]

I was stalked on here by some oddball earlier this month. Which I reported.

I’ve just seen more weird stalker type behaviour on another thread. All are on relatively serious threads when a woman is requiring genuine help and advice.

Has anyone else noticed an increase?

There's creeping on people which I think a lot are experiencing and then there's advance searching and checking on discrepancies. A few posters on here are widely discussed across other internet forums and it's clear from reading what they've discovered that these individuals are trolls, yet MN hasn't cottoned onto it. If you've got a distinctive posting style no amount of name changing will hide you, less so if you've been targeted for discussion elsewhere.

Ahhh, that's better. I like a new name.

It was about time I did it anyway.

There are occasions where posters post very specific stories/quandaries repeatedly. Not evolving situations but nearly word for word the same post. I think it’s fair enough if someone points that out. I don’t mean - I found these messages on my partners phone type posts - much more specific than that.

This is actually true.

I think whether it's weird or not just depends on the circumstances. There are times where it makes sense to bring up another thread and say hold on a sec, isn't this you?

Following someone to another thread demanding a response is not normal though😂
Nor is trying to use someone's personal situation as ammunition.

Sorry you’ve experienced this OP.

I had no idea there was an advanced search (which is good to learn when I’m looking up menopause stuff … I’m a total technophobe). However, not good if someone is being weird about stuff.

I have used the new thanks button if a reply is good or useful, so I apologise now if that’s wrong. These are never snarky replies but top tips type of thing.

wow, this is a whole new level of intrigue I was completely unaware of 😂 There are complete other sites where users congregate offsite to discuss mumsnet!?? 🤯🤣

Agree, it's a bit depressing when people invest a lot of time giving advice to someone posting the same scenario for shits and giggles.

Or else it's real but posting for advice on here in isn't changing anything

You'll be surprised how many people dislike Mumsnet 😂

Yeah but it’s not like fixing a leaky tap, sometimes people need time to make changes and benefit from the support and morale boost of interaction, talking things through, etc.

If someone can’t be bothered to respond a second time, fine. What’s it to them if the poster is asking for help about the same thing twice? 🤷🏻

This is why I change my name every 4 or 5 days or so.

People are weird.

Good idea! I’m taking it 🤣

I'm not convinced these sorts of posts are good faith ones, even if there is some truth in the situation.

??? It’s not clear what you’re getting at? And what ‘sort’ of posts do you mean? Other than someone posting about the same problem twice?

I definitely have my suspicions, yes.

Reddit.
Tattle.

The ones where it's the same crap again and again even when it's a situation that should at least have changed with time. Especially if it's a goady topic and the wording hasn't changed.

In my case I'm pretty sure it's my husband's ex from over 1 decade ago. She screenshots anything I post and sends it to him, she stalks all my name changes.

I'm genuinely exhausted, Mumsnet was my safe place where I could I talk to objective people and maybe offload a bit. And then she starts with the comments and screenshots to my STBXH.

I'm getting out of this situation soon but how the hell does anyone think this is ok to do to another person? I am a human with value, as are all of you x

I would say it is harassment though. Imagine this was a cafe or school playground where everyone is mingling, but someone keeps following you around, interrupting your conversation with others and bringing up comments you made earlier to a different group.

it’s a form of bullying and harassment.

How does she spot your name changes?

have you reported it?

I've got some stuff that is clearly identifiable (ethnic background, schooling or lack thereof, job etc) which I may mention in a few threads and she's just obsessive about it all.

Yes I've reported to Mumsnet and they've deleted her a couple of times but if people keep making new accounts what can they or I do?

Ohhh yes. I used to post frequently in a rather controversial section of mumsnet; some under this name but most under another name. My views were inconsistent with the majority and I have been followed around and monitored by some posters, have no idea if it's one poster or several.

Also had a man messaging me when I was posting about the one period of my 12 year relationship that was rough and rocky; I know that's not stalking but I did find it exploitative and a bit worrying to see men seemingly trawling through relationship threads to look for women in vulnerable positions.