To wonder why on earth people report posts?

[curlew]

Well, obviously if they are libellous or "outing" I can see why, but otherwise it just leaves bizarre gaps in the thread, and means that people have no idea how bad whatever it was was. It's particularly bizarre, I think when posts are reported on somebody else's behalf. How does the reporter know that person wants the post deleted? They may want it left up in all its glory.

On the whole I agree.

Especially if a third party reports a personal attack on someone else! I am still enraged that a vile pa on me was deleted because it was reported by a well-meaning a.n.other, which means that the attacker simply got away with it. Its like sweeping stuff under the carpet.

I reported a comment that was said to me, simply because it was vile and personal.

I also reported a thread which was slagging off a company and naming them.

YABU. The reason that I think people do it is because they appreciate having boards that are not full of toxic nonsense like some other internet boards and they believe that answering MNs plea to report posts helps to provide it. It's more the MN decision whether to delete or not that you're questioning I think.

Some posts are so vile the need deleting, I report posts that are the extreme end of vile. IE on an abortion thread a poster came on saying everyones murderers, posts like that need to be deleted.

I report if I think they're trolls.

I did someone this morning because they were being a provoking bridge-dweller. Plenty of the veiled insults they put up were left behind, so it didn't spoil the 'read' of the thread when the one I reported for being particularly arsehole-ish was removed. I have no patience with people who come on MN looking to provoke a fight for the sake of it, especially when they gun for nice, kind, generous posters simply to try and make a name for themselves.

The reporter doesn't "know" what the poster wants. And even if they really "want" it there, it should not stand if it breaks talk guidelines.

They see something that appears to be a breach, and MNHQ decide whether it is. if you do not agree with MNHQ standards, perhaps is isn't the site for you.

(and some deletions are just random spam anyhow).

True, the reporter doesn't know what the poster wants. But I still think it should be up to the person who has been PAd to report or not.

I forgot about spam, BTW- obviously that needs reporting.

I agree with TheSurgeonsMate- "toxic nonsense" is a good way to describe it. No to all that sort of thing.

I've reported things which are obviously adverts.

I agree mostly, better to let someone crap or out of order comments stand. I have reported threads before though - there have been some truly horrible threads, know that may sound like a contradiction.

I report on threads when people start offering money/bank details or asking for money (recently someone wanted votes to win a £500 contest). It's not that I want to stop generosity or that I think the OP is fake. It's that MNHQ do a good little reminder post about 'not everyone is who they say they are and only give what you can emotionally or financially'. I don't report out of spite but for caution. Also spam. And goady threads. Personal attacks I have reported but, OP, I never thought of it as carpet-sweeping and you've helped me think differently about that. Thanks!

I've reported diablist posts.
I've also reported a few posts to ask if MNHQ would edit out disabilist language that has been used thoughtlessly rather than maliciously. So far they have been very good at editing instead of deleting these posts.

Some of the personal attacks can upset other people who read it as well as the poster who is targeted so maybe that's why they report it?

I think sometimes that one person's view of a PA isn't another's.

I have seen posts saying "I've reported you for that" when a poster has finally snapped and said for eg "Oh fuck off - blah blah blah" and I just think why?? to me that's not a PA.

However, there are some vile things which maybe should be deleted, although I have never reported because I am of the opinion that other people should see how horrid a person has been. HOWEVER! if all these posts were left to stand, it would become the norm, so they would not be so stand out in their horridness iyswim.

So, in answer to your question - yes people should report posts, but I don't. (Slopey-shoulders all responsibility to others!).

I take it that you like verbal slanging matches op.
How far should they go in your opinion?
And how many days would you like to slug it out with someone?

But actually they are mumsnet rules.

I reported the one recently where the OP named a real family and their very unusually named children. I felt really uncomfortable about that. The mum with the children is a MNer and had originally asked opinions on the names. Everyone was slating them left right and cente. It was a badly thought out thread.

I wouldn't report an aggressive name calling post. It allows everyone to see the true colours of that particular poster if it is allowed to stand, which I would prefer.

We're supposed to report posts which break the guidelines - it's how MN works. Maybe if there's one which attacks you and you want it kept you should report it yourself and ask MNHQ not to delete it if someone else reports.

I report PAs and other vileness if I feel soiled by having read it. "ODFOD" or "I feel sorry for your children" aren't usually PAs, and "you're being a twat" might be but wouldn't trip my vileness sensors unless aimed at someone obviously vulnerable.

Never thought of that Errol, makes sense.

Could someone tell me what ODFOD means please? It's used in the MN merchandise but its not in the Acronyms.

Oh Do Fuck Off Dear

Oh do fuck off dear. I had to ask the other day :)

mumsnet encourage post reporting surely? And can choose to let posts stand if they think they're fine. I don't really see your gripe.

I have reported someone who started two different threads both saying how their 13 year old son visibly enjoyed looking at them naked, the poster clearly had dubious intentions
Also threads where someone is trying to sneakily advertise.

I can't think what someone would have to say about me in order for me to report them and unless they knew me and named me or my family I can't think of anything.
I am pretty good at taking internet comments with a pinch of salt and would prefer nasty things to stay so everyone can see what a nobber the poster is.

Ah - maybe I could have worked it out if I'd seen it in context. Sounds quite affectionate. Thanks!