to ask about the net effect Mumsnet has on your mental health/mood?

[ClockWatchingLady]

On a scale of 1-10.

1 = makes me more miserable (e.g., I'm addicted; it takes up time I could spend on RL friends; breeds envy, etc.)

5 = doesn't really have an effect in either direction, or effects are equally balanced positive and negative

10 = massively enhances my experience of life (e.g., alleviates loneliness, broadens my perspective, gives sense of community, etc.).

Obviously the reasons will vary widely. But what's your number?

I'd say 7.

Definitely positive. For every horrible, mean-spirited thread there are LOADS of people who are truly generous, in every sense of that term.

Somewhere around a 6-7 for me.

For every horrible, mean-spirited thread there are LOADS of people who are truly generous, in every sense of that term.

Yep, I agree. The timewasting is a factor for me (but is it really wasted time??), but otherwise I think it can be nigh-on miraculous for positive spirit.

6ish for me. It does take up time that would be better spent doing other things, but it's a great source of information and makes me giggle regularly.

8 for me

Mostly about 8 but on occasion 1 - not for the reasons you give, but when something really depressing happens like trolls pretending to be bereaved parents or people begging, then I find it pretty horrible.

The timewasting doesn't annoy me all that much, if I'm on here too much I get HQ to ban me.

I'm about 5. I enjoy debate and 9 times out of 10, I know when to walk away. Occasionally, I get embroiled in 'debate' with trolls/goady fuckers/wind up merchants when I should step away but more often than not, MN is a time wasting exercise for me.

So we're on a 6.9ish mean so far

I suppose it's going to be very biased as mostly people who like it are hanging around, but I did wonder whether there would be any 1s and 2s from people who feel addicted.

Positive for me. Without thinking about it too much I'd say 7. Maybe I spend too much time on here, but I don't consider it a waste of time because I enjoy it.

It's an interesting question. I'm curious as to why you are asking?

Oh, how interesting.

Re: enjoyment of the smart, funny conversations and the warmth of the community, and also re: educational experience I would put 9.

But it does take up time that I don't have, which is a real problem for me. I should be doing a project that is very important to me when I am on here. The problem is I don't really have actual free time, b/c I should always be doing this project.

And tbh. it makes me lonely sometimes to come here. I would be a bit lonely anyway, b/c I live far from my family and friends, but sometimes MN somehow makes me feel it more. I'm not sure why, you'd think it would be the opposite. So those factors take it down to, oh, a 6?

Drama, I just idly wondered, really. I myself vary widely in what I think of it, and have some "1" moments between the (numerous) really positive ones. This makes me think more about the time I spend here. Internet forums (and particularly MN) are such a big part of life now that I find myself wondering what the up and down-side of this are, and I suppose a big part of this what all the people here really think of it.

Sometimes a 1 and sometimes a 7.

Not a 1 because of addiction but because of some depressing posts.

About 5.

I've been massively entertained and informed on here, but I've also questioned my own marriage, my appearance, my parenting - which has left me feeling rather down.

Oops, sorry for typos.

Keatsie, I also have very little time and feel constantly guilty on here!

I would say 5. Sometimes I'm not on here for days or weeks and sometimes daily.

When DH was unfaithful a couple of years back the relationship board, and one handful of posters in particular, kept me sane and coping, I swear it.

I'd say an 8 but sometimes fluctuates to a 1 or 2. I've learned now not to come on if I'm particularly down because the trolls and rare arseholes really have a negative effect on my mood. Since using the hide button, it's been less of a 1 and 2 though.

ClockWatching totally. Your MN name is very apropos!

I think this topic is really a great one though, glad you posted it. I feel guilty about forum participation, but then I am not sure I should I don't think this is just an empty calories sort of addiction, if you see what I mean, the way watching tv is (to me) a pointless activity that does not add value to my life. I think I must keep coming back b/c it adds value to my life. But what value?? You're right, many many people are on forums now. How are we all managing the time, what impact is it having on our personal commitments and priorities, how is it changing us really interesting to consider.

7 for me. You'll all hate me when I tell you the main reason why, I'm afraid. Ok, sick bowls at the ready...

...because it's informative, entertaining and I have found really useful advice and support here. But mainly because it makes me realise how damn lucky I am in life. I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful kids, a loving and supportive family on both sides, and enough money not to have to worry about money. So many people have so much less than this.

Sorry to sound so unbearably smug. At least I stopped short of breaking out the b-word, eh

5, I'd say, though it does make me realise that except on Style and Beauty my views seem to be a little atypical.

Posting and reading threads on practical stuff is quite life enhancing, I feel better equipped to deal with Christmas, enhance my eyelashes and find the perfect jersey blazer.

Posting on relationships and Feminism is fraught with problems, people take everything so very seriously, expect perfection in all regards from their spouses and have views that seem to me to be very divorced from the world I live in. As I say, averages out at about a 5.

About an 8 for me right now.

I know I generally feel more sane and peaceful when I'm not constantly checking my phone and attached to the internet, but the posters on the MH board have been a real help to me. I'm having a tough time right now and the kindness of strangers, who go out of their way to check on me and talk to me is an amazing thing.

Im utterly addicted, but I love it.
sometimes some views expressed make me want to leap through the pc and shake them to see if I can hear their lonely brain cell rattling round in there (and I bet there are those who feel the same about me) but for the most part it's full of fun, funny, intelligent, articulate, passionate and thoughtful people.
what's not to love?

when it starts to adversely affect my mood (eg I feel furious or start to obsess) I walk away for a bit. But that's my issue and not the fault of mn. I have an obsessive personality!

Sometimes a 7, with amusement and advice and affinity to others (ooh the three As),

but currently a 1, as some people deliberately set out to point score and make others feel terrible about themselves, which is a dark underside of humanity and one that is very much active here on mumsnet. The callousness and lack of humanity of some people, leaves me leaving very isolated and disliking people in general.

Keatsie, I also don't think it's empty-calorie. But I often can't quite articulate why....

Interesting, ISee to feel addicted and love it. Talking of obsessive personalities , what's your number? Don't make me shake you, now....

It fluctuates.

I like to be able to feel useful when sharing how I've gone through issues and come out the other side.

I feel depressed sometimes, it takes me back to how things used to be before to share that and then how is got through.

It makes me angry. There are lots of people who think they know how it might be to have the problems I've had in the past but quite clearly don't have a clue! These are usually the types who shout loudest and post repeatedly in the most ridiculous way. Also I've never known anywhere with such a huge man hating bias.

It makes me happy. I feel incredibly lucky in my life and reading the stories on here means I take nothing for granted.

It makes me laugh. There are some hilarious people on here!

It makes me humble. I've been wrong a few times but would hope that, even if my contributions aren't helpful to the OP, I might at least have helped somebody else in a similar situation.

It makes me appreciate how far I've come and how much my life and me have changed for the better.

Overall, it's a positive experience, it would have to be or I wouldn't come on here! 8/10

I'm addicted and spend far too much time on here, but it is a great place with some lovely people and I know there's always a laugh going on to cheer me up. MN does make me question myself a lot which really doesn't help my MH at times.