To think that the bullying culture on MN can be a bit much....

[tjah04]

Having been a member of MN since 2003 I have seen and read some disgusting comments from other members particuarly on this board.

I am starting to think that some of these people must be very sad and insecure.

Some of the names that are called are disgusting and I am sure that these people would never go up to someone in RL and call them that.

And do not get me started on the "I am better than you because I can spell" attitude which seems to be the final insult if all else fails.

Other comments include

"troll" "Oh not another thread" etc.

It is cyber bullying at the end of the day and as mothers shouldn't we all just grow up a bit? The MN team do a great job of deleting such posts but often the OP has seen it and the damage is already done.

What can people do?
Posters feeling bullied:
Ignore the attempts to derail, dismiss or otherwise focus thread on the perceived bully. Engage with other posts.
Expect a level of discussion you wouldn't get in RL. Same situation as driving. People feel free to be arseholes and more aggressive from the safety of their PC
Don't expect to change anyone else. Consider if your reaction is the issue.
All posters:
I don't feel bullied on here because I can walk away. Doesn't mean some who come for support or advice are happy to walk away or have RL support.
Be a little less convinced you are always right
Consider if your posting is fair or necessary

That's great LaQueen. It's worked for you. Not everybody is the same, reacts the same way or even uses MN the same way as you.

And there are so many other threads. I find the goat jokes dreary but I guess you had to have been there. I honestly think you can find pretty much what you want on MN. And there is a very low level of text speak.

I'm only half way down this thread and will probably give up and return to the lizard paedophile thread which is a bit funnier tbh, but I'd just like to say

1. I thought a doctor had themed mrsdv's box room too
2. It's maryzzzzz in my head too

Lizard paedophile thread!

Usual, I tend to think that if I've already seen two "twats" and perhaps three "cunts", then there is seldom much of value to be added. No point kicking someone while they are already down. Unless you've got a really original way of wielding your winklepickers

Acksherly - the whole PM thing has reminded me of something. An example that could be construed as bullying. I was subjected to a particularly vitriolic attack on one of my low carb threads. I since found out that the poster who attacked me in public was also trying to whip up support from other posters, via PM, saying things like "we have to take a stand against BIWI". I was told this by two different people - one also via PM and one in person, someone who came to the meet up on Saturday.

Thankfully nobody did.

The attack on the thread itself was upsetting, although I got over it. But to know that somebody is 'plotting' behind your back, using the PM system, is horrible.

That, had it happened, really would have been bullying.

I can't possibly link pag, it would be cited as an example of inciting a pile in. It's in chat. It's about legalising paedophilia. It's bonkers. It may have been deleted in the hour I spent putting the Dcs to bed.

Two twats and three cunts..

There must be a joke. There must.

Yes BIWI, it would. Now, where is this lizard paedophile thread?

Plotting against your low carb thread?! Are they a wheat farmer or something?

I don't think that was what the OP was doing LQ.

Ooooo, BIWI. I shall pretend I don't know you so we can chat.
Really, a low carb spat?

I've found the lizard paedophile thread! Is the lizard thing something to do with David Icke?

perfectstorm that sounds grim. I'm not surprised you're still affected by it.

Two twats and three cunts..

There must be a joke. There must.

They walked into a bar...

Thing is, I don't generally find random comments that funny because it isn't my sense of humour. So I don't join in. What I don't get is why the existence of such threads is an issue, just because I find them meh? Other people find them hilarious, that's all that matters. Join in if you want, don't otherwise.

I don't get why different senses of humour are problematic.

MissAnnersley I have to defer to your opinion regardless, though. A childhood of Chalet School stories has conditioned me thus.

@Chubfuddler

And ted Heath apparently.

Laqueen my mum went on the tour of Buckingham palace last week and immediately came round and did something weird to all my cushions (couldn't do hers - not feather pads). She sort if made the top edge v shaped with a big indentation in the middle, apparently all her madge's cushions are like that. Perhaps that's plinking.

ToughAsOldBoots- it's a bit grim to imply that lots of posters are secretly messaging you to slag off a poster on this thread. A lot of people would find that a low blow and quite hurtful.

I'm visualising Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston plotting against one another via PM now. (Purely because the first I ever heard of Atkins was when they were both meant to be on it. Low Carb diets clearly attract a better class of bitchcraft. Or more tabloid friendly, anyway. )

In all seriousness, campaigning on a low carbs thread does tend to prove that some people take the internet disturbingly seriously.

As it should perfectstorm. Take some house points. And a solo in the Nativity.

Order marks and extra prep for everybody else.