Trolls

[SilverOldie2]

This is sort of about another thread, but not a specific one. AIBU to say that I simply cannot understand what people get out of coming on here and starting a thread which pulls on people's heartstrings when it is completely false. I've seen posters opening their souls on some threads where they are concerned for the OP and can't imagine how devastated they must feel when they discover that it was all a fake.

I'm not talking about those who post something so outrageous or funny, you sort of know it's not true and can have fun with it

Can there be any acceptable reason why they do it? Have you ever trolled and if so why? What the hell do they get out of it? I just do not understand.

Been so nice of mnhq to weigh in on this well reasoned, adult discussion we're having. Invaluable input, really.

It's probably something they've had endless meetings about and gone round in circles about, which has all led to the current policy.

On a commercial level, it probably increases traffic and ad views (though I don't think for a second that Mumsnet endorses spam or trolls as such).

Also for users it might not be that much of a problem... More for the regular community members who post frequently.

*For most users

When I reported one of the (many) troll threads over the weekend, I suggested that MNHQ might want to review their troll policy, since the site was becoming unusable. The MNHQer said that there would be discussions after the weekend.

Meant to also say, I've reported the thread to ask for a MNHQ response to the issues we've raised.

Thanks Bore. I've had no replies to my reports which I guess means I'm either being paranoid or they've got them in hand already! Or both...

I think another poster reported this thread number of days ago asking MNHQ for input, as there has been nothing to date either they are planning a thread in site stuff from MNHQ to discuss the topic and the way forward or they are not willing to respond and just want to maintain the status quo would be nice to know either way.

MNHQ did do a thread responding to posters regarding how suicide threat threads should be managed and took on board and implemented many of the suggestions that came from that discussion so they might do something similar about trolls as the problem appears to be becoming worse.

...Would starting a new thread in Site Stuff and linking to this one be a good idea? Might be a good idea as then new posters who can't be bothered to wade through this whole thread could add their comments too? (Or perhaps that's pointless since this one's been reported a few times anyway!)

I reported this thread last week & received (eventually) a reply from HQ that directed me to their reply on this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a2472523-To-want-to-vent-about-the-grief-competition-thread?msgid=56752003#56752003

Nothing much new was said there!

Gah, there are so many troll threads at the moment.

Hi all - thank you for all your posts and we apologise for the delayed response.

As magimedi has said above, we recently posted about this issue on a thread in AIBU. Please do take a closer look at the post here and do continue to post with your comments and suggestions.

We want to assure you that we are listening.
Thanks everyone.

Thanks for the posts both!

Becca, I appreciate that it's a big and tricky area to navigate, but it does feel like there have been quite a few suggestions already ...

What do you guys feel about things like number of posts on usernames / easier ways to mark as troll / public flags about the number of complaints on threads / fewer ways to name change / lists of troll threads etc?

Yes Maryz I do agree with this:

There is a difference between "vitriolic" troll-hunting, and politely pointing out the obvious (or even asking a leading question).

I dislike the cowardice and cruelty of people getting a kick out of being cruel under the pretense of troll hunting. It taps into the same emotions as public lynchings, or stoning to death (which of course still happens today). I hate that it's acceptable cruelty, and is shrugged off as 'no harm done I was just protecting people from the trolls'... When the harm is very real indeed.

But politely pointing out the obvious and not pursuing to the death of the OP has a reply which gives doubt to the conviction of trolldom. That's very valuable and should be allowed - I think it is mostly allowed isn't it? Or maybe just the ones I notice!

In fact Maryz you once sent me a PM to give me the heads up on a well, not sure if a troll but certainly someone with an agenda who appeared to get off on sucking people in them turning on them. It really helped as although I had realised something wasn't right I had been upset by it at first, and it helped to know I was right to walk away.

But the other type of troll behaviour needs calling out - maybe if we had another name for them it would make the difference clear?