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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Fucking Cunting Trolls

281 replies

MsHooliesCardigan · 03/09/2017 18:42

In the past week, I have posted on threads about someone's 15 year old niece taking their own life and today somebody wanting to give their 4 year old son up for adoption. They both turned out to be trolls. I love Mumsnet, I really do and I have seen many situations where those in genuine need of support have been massively helped. I have PMed a Mumsnetter at 4am asking her to call me if she wanted to talk after she had been assaulted by her DP. She did and we subsequently met up.
I have had a huge amount of support myself from Mumsnet but I am getting really weary of it now.
I work in mental health and it's something I feel really passionate about which is why I was drawn to the threads I've mentioned.
I know that there isn't much anyone can do about it and I think MNHQ do their best as both these threads were taken down pretty quickly.
Just needed to rant Angry

OP posts:
WeirdAndPissedOff · 03/09/2017 19:05

I'd rather help the odd troll, than put off genuine posters who need help.
Some of the threads you see aren't so clear cut - they're either a troll, or a very desperate person who needs help. It's one thing if they start asking for money, personal details or sexual anecdotes - in those cases I can see the benefit being allowed to highlight them as trolls. But in other cases you have to decide what would be more harmful - a troll "getting away with it" and having posters invest time and emotional space in the thread until MN deletes it, or a genuine poster being chased off their thread when they most need support.

I will say though that I loathe trolls, for obvious reasons. Most are either childish, or very sick individuals, and they also harm genuine posters by "burning out" helpful MNers who get sick of troll posts.
But I don't agree with troll hunting for the above reasons.

PandorasXbox · 03/09/2017 19:06

I didn't see either thread thankfully.

I wonder who these trolls are? Obviously people who want to shit stir on MN. Wonder if anyone who went over to Reddit.

DavetheCat2001 · 03/09/2017 19:08

How does HQ work out who is a troll and who isn't?

So you report a poster/thread you suspect is dodgy, and then what? What checks do they do?

I guess being a newly joined member is a flag, but then again it may be a genuine new member.

blueskyred · 03/09/2017 19:09

how do you know its a troll re the adoption?

blueskyred · 03/09/2017 19:10

some people on here post such fantastic warm helpful posts. they give SO much empathy information and support. Some of the posters are incredibly caring and thoughtful, its like a wise helpful and loving sister. I hope the bored trolls don't ruin it for those who genuinely need help.

healthyheart · 03/09/2017 19:12

I've been wondering today about this mornings thread where the OP had some info she couldn't say what? But that it would be a national outcry if it came out and that she felt guilty knowing and withholding the info. Posters were speculating if I was to do with exams? I came back on this afternoon to find an update but can't seem to find the thread now, does anyone know/ was it also a troll? TIA.

CockacidalManiac · 03/09/2017 19:12

I wonder who these trolls are? Obviously people who want to shit stir on MN. Wonder if anyone who went over to Reddit.

Nah; reddit is used for the troll hunting that we're not allowed to do on here.

MarciaBlaine · 03/09/2017 19:13

Pandora, I think the people who went to Reddit are as despairing of the trolls as the OP. It's a bit hmm to think they would come back to upset people.

EezerGoode · 03/09/2017 19:14

I read the 4 yr old one ,and I thought troll straight away...don't know why. Just did...sad people have nothing better to do..says a lot about their own ...empty lives ..that they do thus.

tobeornottobe1 · 03/09/2017 19:14

Healthyheart- i highly doubt it is to do with exams as in the adoption thread she claimed she was a health care professional Hmm

Crowdo · 03/09/2017 19:17

MNHQ's methods of banning posters aren't always accurate. So be wary of damning anyone too quickly.

MagdalenLaundry · 03/09/2017 19:18

Agree that pbp does not equate to troll
I guess if they have posted a lot of dramatic stuff in the past it may be more likely
Where is the thread with the loaded friend who is having an affair
Has that been deleted too?

CockacidalManiac · 03/09/2017 19:19

Yes; I was temporarily banned for saying things about Nigel Farage and aeroplanes.
Although I suppose that was a suspension really.

PandorasXbox · 03/09/2017 19:19

Well it's someone with a beef against HQ imo, someone who likes to cause trouble. There's been quite a few banned from here that have gone to Reddit so I wouldn't automatically rule out that they wouldn't come back to troll.

MarciaBlaine · 03/09/2017 19:22

Um why would trolls have a beef against MNHQ? I think you are overthinking it. Trolls have been here before and since I joined more than 10 years ago.

JigglyTuff · 03/09/2017 19:23

Well I would Pandora Hmm

Most people on Reddit aren't utter cunts and making up threads about children committing suicide and wanting to give small children up for adoption is massively cuntish

CockacidalManiac · 03/09/2017 19:25

Most people on Reddit aren't utter cunts

I am! 🙃
I ducking hate trolls, though.

Barbiessharpfeet · 03/09/2017 19:26

Threads like this just remind the trolls how well their trolling works.

PandorasXbox · 03/09/2017 19:27

I know how long trolls have been on MN.
But you can't deny that there's been a huge increase in troll threads of late.

They're coming from somewhere.

PurpleDaisies · 03/09/2017 19:27

Did you miss it's the school holidays pandora? It's always the same...

JigglyTuff · 03/09/2017 19:28

Yes there has. But that was one of the reasons the Reddit page was set up - it didn't cause it

JigglyTuff · 03/09/2017 19:29

Sorry - it was the reason the Reddit page was set up - being fed up with all the trolling

CockacidalManiac · 03/09/2017 19:29

I can never understand why people think it's school kids doing it. Prosecuted trolls are often middle aged inadequates.

MarciaBlaine · 03/09/2017 19:30

Pandora, are you honestly naive enough to think the trolls are coming from Reddit? MNetters who are exasperated by the trolls and moderation policy?

Rufus27 · 03/09/2017 19:30

Pandora That's a bit harsh. I sometimes look at the Reddit threads and you can recognise some of the posters - long time, bone fide MN'ers who've contributed a hell of a lot of helpful, funny and informative stuff over the years. To suggest such people would suddenly come on here trolling, especially about such sensitive topics, is offensive!