to think dodgy threads could be closed rather than deleted...

[bedraggledmumoftwo]

Spent ages posting earlier on a thread that struck a chord with me. Then had play date, went back to see the updates and got a deletion message. Really frustrated as I wanted to read peoples responses.

Mnhq, is there any reason you cant just close suspicious threads to new posts and zap the user, rather than deleting the whole thread?

Some threads have to be removed if (for example) they become libelous or put MN at risk of litigation. Others are removed because they could cause issues if significant other found them, etc.

Apart from those issues, I don't know why they can't be closed and left in place.

Is it maybe just the way their programming works? No idea!

I posted earlier on a thread from a supposed MIL but it's gone

Probably so people don't make threads about threads to continue the conversation.

I think in that case, the OP has had several dodgy threads in the space of the last week or so. So I think even if they could have shut the thread they would have deleted anyway as it would just give the OP the attention they want. I think the 'estranged son's secret life' was probably the same poster.

Ah, yes, it was the mil thread. I can see why they do it when asked to eg personal details/attacks, but if they think it is a troll I wonder why they cant just close it as is and leave it there with a closure warning

I think trolls gain a great deal of pleasure from the length of thread they have been able to 'inspire' and the answers they have been able to provoke. There is a certain malicious pleasure in occupying lots of people in a meaningless conversation. If a board's admin allow it to remain then it stands as an unwelcome tribute to the troll's 'brilliance'.

If MN allowed such threads to stay they would have to be edited beyond recognition. In this scenario we may as well be on net mins and where does the editing stop? I'd far rather a delete where trolling is seen and a firm belief that what remains is unedited and subject to arbitrary, heavy handed modding

Net mins= netmums (my iPhone has such good taste it first even recognise the other site

Gah first = doesn't ()