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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think troll hunters are sometimes just as bad as the trolls themselves?

129 replies

BatmanLovesRobin · 17/08/2011 08:47

I always think of trolls as saddo people, emotional leeches if you like. There are some very clever ones about, and inevitably people get taken in, and give (often sterling) advice and support.

Then along comes a poster on the thread, crying 'Troll, troll', instead of simply reporting. The danger of this is accusing genuine posters of trolling. I've noticed this before, but not really paid much attention beyond giving trollhunter a mental catsbumface. However, a RL friend is currently feeling very upset and vulnerable following being called a troll herself (CRS, regarding giving personal info about herself on a recently notorious thread), and as she has given much of herself in other threads, is taking basically being called a liar hard, as she has been so supported here, and in turn has supported others. Those others may now, in turn, feel taken in.

AIBU to believe trollhunters appear to be more keen on being able to say 'I told you so' than the feelings of possibly innocent people they are accusing?

OP posts:
deemented · 17/08/2011 08:48

YANBU.

I've seen it firsthand and it left a rather nasty taste in my mouth.

usualsuspect · 17/08/2011 08:49

I didn't see anyone calling CRS a troll Confused

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 17/08/2011 08:52

CRS wasn't called a troll AFAIK she was worried about posting too much info.

porcamiseria · 17/08/2011 08:52

I dont care

it amazes me the time and energy people put into this

ITS A WEBSITE
GIVE A SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pagwatch · 17/08/2011 08:54

Troll hunters would be a good daytime tv programme. It would need a short bald presenter and lots of running with handcam

ElectricSoftParade · 17/08/2011 08:55

I, unfortunately, made an assumption yesterday and have upset a genuine poster.

It was the first time I have done this and I regret it. My only explaination (but not excusing my actions) is that I was caught up in the moment, very angry and just bit.

I apologised to the poster but realise this does not excuse me. I hope the poster reads this and knows I am sorry.

But there are so many different trolls around, I am just not sure who is real or not. While I don't post much I am having a bit of a break from here as I don't know who/what to believe or reply to.

I hope your friend is feeling a bit brighter today and is able to get past the horrible experience she has had.

sausagesandmarmelade · 17/08/2011 08:57

Brilliant OP....fantastic. You've hit the nail on the thread.

Some Troll Hunters verge on being outright bullies. Some forums are virtually dominated by cliques who you have to be approved by in order to be 'accepted'. Any new person is regarded as highly suspicious. If a person is labelled a 'sock' or 'troll' it doesn't matter how much they protest their innocence...it matters not a jot. You are right in that these people are more concerned with being able to say "I told you so" than the real innocent person's feelings.

It's cruel and moderators should do a lot more to clamp down on this kind of behaviour which I have witnessed on 2 different wedding forums (youandyourwedding and a wedding forum by invision).

sausagesandmarmelade · 17/08/2011 09:01

I don't know why people are so concerned and pre-occupied as to whether a poster is 'real' or not, to the extent that it consumes them.

People think they can get away with such behaviour (which does amount to internet bullying) but there will come a time no doubt when people will be prosecuted for such behaviour and people will be held accountable for their behaviour online.

It's good that this forum (the only one I have found) stamps quite heavily on this kind of behaviour.

Original poster
BatmanLovesRobin · 17/08/2011 09:04

Thanks you, sausages Blush

At the end of the thread, afaik, somebody accused her of trollery. I didn't see it myself, and the thread seems to have gone poof, but she is genuinely upset this morning, so I believe her.

I just wish people would use the report button a bit more, and think of the feelings of others. Trollhunting does actually dissuade people from posting sometimes, I think.

OP posts:
Whatmeworry · 17/08/2011 09:04

My observation is that quite a few MNers ( usually of the more defensive variety) are confusing trolls with people who disagree with them

Original poster
BatmanLovesRobin · 17/08/2011 09:05

PS -pagwatch - YES!!

OP posts:
TheRealMBJ · 17/08/2011 09:11

Spot on sausages. MN is the wonderful place it is because troll hunting isn't really tolerated. It happens but isn't seen as acceptable behaviour.

sausagesandmarmelade · 17/08/2011 09:11

Not sure of the thread you are referring to but this is a major issue on internet forums and the best course of action for the person who is upset would be to come on here (make herself) and keep on posting regardless.....

and yes, I've seen where people who disagree with the majority opinion are targeted and bullied (yes bullied - name calling, sarcastic jibes etc) for having a contrary opinion. People who do this are obviously not mature enough to participate on forums like this.

Summerbird73 · 17/08/2011 09:11

OP i am not doubting you or CRS, however i was on that thread up to the end and i truly do not recall her being called a troll. I can remember a comment along the lines of 'there are probably trolls on this thread' but that was said in a non committal almost ironic way and in no way directed at CRS.

As i remember for the duration of that thread CRS was given support, yes there were some unsupportive ones who said she was daft to get drawn in but these posts were quickly shushed down as it is easily done.

The last few days have undoubtedly been difficult for CRS as she understandably feels like she has been drawn into something which has gone a bit haywire.

FWIW i agree with you, people who shout troll at the littlest of things are not what this website is about.

Original poster
BatmanLovesRobin · 17/08/2011 09:19

Thank you summerbird, that sounds quite likely. When you're already feeling vulnerable it is easy to believe things are aimed at you. When I left that thread it was very supportive, which is the best side of Mumsnet, I think.

She's de-registered (there was something about PMs still coming if you just namechange?) and will re-register totally, so she's not been totally put off. It's a hard way to learn that people can be right cretins though Sad

OP posts:
happymole · 17/08/2011 09:25

Can someone tell me or PM the thread? Who is CRS?

happymole · 17/08/2011 09:28

Sorry ignore me.

Ilythia · 17/08/2011 09:33

WHat whatmeworry said.
Someone telling you you are wrong, or an idiot does NOT make them a troll, it may mean they are a twat but this is really not the same thing.

((disclaimer - have not seen the thread you are talking about but have seen the fallout from some nasty 'proper' trolls on here))

Summerbird73 · 17/08/2011 09:34

exactly batman i can see how she felt that way, yes i agree that starting over is a good idea then she can shake off the PMs. tell her she has a lot of supporters Smile

LadyBeagleEyes · 17/08/2011 09:36

I was on that thread, and honestly, nobody called CRS a troll.
She got a lot of sympathetic advice in fact, as it must have been horrible for her to be taken in like that.
I also think there is a difference between so called troll hunters and people who give out subtle hints on the thread itself, or even just disagree and go against the flow.

Original poster
BatmanLovesRobin · 17/08/2011 09:45

Yes, good point ladybeagle. I'm really talking about people who are blatant about it, rather than people who offer gentle hints in the hope that other posters exercise some caution, and also bear in mind they could be wrong Grin

I'll pass on your good wishes summerbird, thanks. I guess she must feel quite supported on the whole or she'd bugger off back to the forum that led to our meeting

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 17/08/2011 12:00

I was on that thread yesterday, BatmanLovesRobin. I posted to CRS about how to protect herself if the 'troll' of the other thread did make RL contact with her. I was quite matter of fact about it because it is easy to get drawn in and invest your time and emotion, that's why people are so angry about it.

Towards the end of the thread though, some of us, independently were thinking about the troll of that thread and we had in our own minds who that poster was because they're quite distinctive. I posted some very oblique clues as to who I thought it was and it seemed that others were thinking of the same person. By that point, it was nothing at all to do with CRS but I wonder if she was reading the posts, wondering if we were referred to her. Nobody was, I was referred to my newly acquired cross stitch kit and there was a bit of mucking about over it.

I hope that CRS comes back, many of us have been in the same position, feeling foolish, but that passes and we move on to the next one and who knows... some of the advice given on that other thread might have been just the ticket for somebody else lurking. Please do wish her well. :)

PinotsKittens · 17/08/2011 12:13

Another confirming no-one called CRS a troll :) Hope she's OK and not put off being lovely and helpful again in the future - it would be a shame if the troll stopped that :)

bedheadz · 17/08/2011 12:18

I posted under a different name in AIBU shortly after joining. I was called a troll and flamed. I wouldn't post a topic in AIBU again.

YouDoTheMath · 17/08/2011 12:21

Some people simply don't beleive ANYTHING they read/hear.