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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think One Direction should do something about their fans?

40 replies

BeetlebumShesAGun · 18/07/2014 08:59

I think I probably am being a bit unreasonable, after all they can't police the internet, but would be interested in opinions.

Louis Tomlinson recently got a load of Fans to donate money to his football team (I happen to think this is pretty immoral anyway). It hasn't worked out and DP made a jokey tweet about it. You can see what's coming can't you...

He got a tweet saying basically you're a bitch, your baby daughter is a slut and she will die because of you. DD is 7 months.

He reported it to Twitter who have now suspended the account.

I just think, these young girls are really doing tjemselves damage. What you put out onto the internet is around forever and when they grow up it will come back to haunt them. For example the fan who broke her dogs neck because they didn't reply to her. If One Direction produced say, a video message to their fans explaining this, would it have any effect?

I know they're just a couple of lads in a band and don't necessarily invite any of this and it's not really their fault but it just shocked me.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
BeetlebumShesAGun · 18/07/2014 09:03

Obviously I'm not saying ALL one direction fans are unhinged. I'm aware many of you will have directioners as DD's!

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 18/07/2014 09:03

YABU, it is down to the kids parents to monitor their online behaviour not the the band.

They can no more do anything about their fans behaviour than you can.

They could be scathing and make statements about it but the record company dont want hundreds of thousands of teens turning against 1D and not buying their music/concert tickets.

StealthPolarBear · 18/07/2014 09:06

That comment came from a yoing girl?
Shock

MyUsernameIsPants · 18/07/2014 09:09

So your DP made a jokey tweet about them on the internet, then moaned when someone replied with abuse on the internet.

Well that's the internet for you. I don't think for one minute someone posting abuse is acceptable, but your DP is an adult. If he can dish it out.....

Oh and everything bogey said.

fuzzpig · 18/07/2014 09:09

Yikes, I wasn't aware of any of that.

I think it would be worth a try to do some kind of announcement, but I'm really not convinced it would make a difference if fans are inclined to do these crazy things in the first place.

I feel like modern society encourages the obsession rather than simply being a fan though. Like the ridiculously heavy merchandising (compared to other bands)

JohnFarleysRuskin · 18/07/2014 09:09

That must have been a shock, blimey.

I don't think it's One Directions fault though!

Nancy66 · 18/07/2014 09:10

Loads of performers have obsessed, lunatic fans.

Michael Jackson fans are the worst.

mommy2ash · 18/07/2014 09:13

Of course what she said was wrong and disgusting but I equally don't get a grown man on Twitter discussing one direction either. maybe now is a good time for him to joke his account more private

Original poster
BeetlebumShesAGun · 18/07/2014 09:14

MyUsername, he didn't moan, he is of course perfectly capable of handling it. I don't think saying something jokey about how on a day when bombs are falling, a Louis Tomlinson appreciation day is just what the world needs, is "dishing it out".

I agree with Bogeyface, it is definitely down to the parents to monitor online behaviour. And also about how their record company wouldn't want to alienate the fans. I suppose I was naively thinking that all fans would take notice because One Direction said it, IYSWIM.

OP posts:
OorWullie · 18/07/2014 09:15

What a horrible comment to make.

I agree that some of their fans take things to far- the one who threatened to pour bleach down Taylor Swift's throat because she was dating Harry is one of the worst O've heard.

It is up to parents to police their childrens' behaviour online but I do think the band has a level of responsibility, they know the influence they have over these young girls and maybe a video message saying that they don't appreciate it might make the fans think twice.

Deftones · 18/07/2014 09:15

I'm fond of a bit of belieber and directioner baiting but some of the shite they spout is eye opening even to a 33 year old mouth like a sailor woman.

it's up to the parents to monitor their online usage, I'd be less than impressed if I saw my DD spouting such bile.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 18/07/2014 09:17

They broke their dogs neck!!

Wellthen · 18/07/2014 09:18

I agree both ways really. It really shocks me that these girls are able to behave on this way and no one seems to be controlling it. Not just the threats and the sexual language but the obsessions themselves. Some of these girls seem to genuinely think they will one day meet and marry these boys, that they are completely perfect and somehow 'belong' to them. Thinking the boys are the most clever, kind and loving people is natural I suppose, at that age. But these girls don't see the boys as people. People who have their own families and friends, their own interests and, yes, vices. It really worries me that this is not be addressed.
I think the band could make a statement about obsession and bad internet etiquette. Something like 'we love our fans but you must remember we are just people' and asking them not to be horrible to each other. I can't see how they could come off badly - they are making themselves look kind and loving towards their fans!

But I also agree that the children's behave online is ultimately the business of the parents and the police.

Original poster
BeetlebumShesAGun · 18/07/2014 09:18

That's what I was thinking OorWullie. But I suppose the risk is a) it could potentially make some even worse and b) damage their sales.

The other thing I was thinking about is when Take That split up. Wasn't there a helpline or something? When One Direction split up all hell will break loose!

OP posts:
Original poster
BeetlebumShesAGun · 18/07/2014 09:23

Five, yes. Although I remember it from when it happened, a quick internet search seems to suggest it could be a hoax.

Sorry for the daily mail link, it was the first that came up on Google.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2419916/Obsessed-One-Direction-fan-kills-pet-Chihuahua-band-didnt-follow-Twitter.html

OP posts:
Serenitysutton · 18/07/2014 09:25

The dog neck thing was a hoax.

Their fans do seem spectacularly stupid and mad though.

ILoveTIFFANY · 18/07/2014 09:31

Parents can't monitor all internet usage their dc engage in tho

TheFairyCaravan · 18/07/2014 09:32

How is any of that One Direction's fault? Are they meant to give pep talks to their fans, police all their tweets, etc?

I'm not a fan, but they are young lads doing a job. Its not their fault what their fans write on Twitter, tbh!

DoJo · 18/07/2014 09:34

The dog's neck thing was a hoax. But there are always going to be kooks out there. Of course, it would be nice if none of them acted that was at all, but in some ways I think it's better that they direct that kind of over invested emotion into stars who are better placed to ignore it, than cyber bullying people they actually know.

DoJo · 18/07/2014 09:34

X-post with...well everyone!

BillnTedsMostFeministAdventure · 18/07/2014 09:35

It's a shocking response but it's in line with lots of twitter activities, from adults as well.

And - there is always something more serious happening somewhere in the world - for your DP to say "X shouldn't do Y because of Z" was bound to get some reaction. Similar to MN if people are having a moan about their in-laws, someone usually posts "at least they are still alive" or similar, which isn't that helpful.

Original poster
BeetlebumShesAGun · 18/07/2014 09:37

I don't think it is their fault - as I said in the OP, thy can't police the internet, I just wondered if they did produce anything, if it would have an effect.

OP posts:
beccajoh · 18/07/2014 09:45

I don't think their fans are really any more nutty than previous generations, just that social media puts the band within tantalisingly close reach. I was of the Take That generation and unless you had the means to fund following them around (and willing parents!), you were mostly sat at home with the posters on your bedroom walls and fantasies in your head.

fuzzpig · 18/07/2014 09:50

An old colleague of

ICanSeeTheSun · 18/07/2014 09:52

So why is your DH belittling someone on the internet because something didn't work out.

What was the 'jokey' comment