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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask how to spot a troll thread

126 replies

Teacakeandalatte · 13/10/2019 11:18

I'm sick of wasting my time on threads that get zapped, how do I spot them? I know about the poo troll and the toilets in schools one, but give me some tips on advanced troll spotting.

OP posts:
AmaryllisNightAndDay · 13/10/2019 11:30

There is no guaranteed way. No-one is necessarily who they say they are, or posting for the reasons they say they are. I protect myself by always asking myself before I post "would I still feel OK about my posting if the OP turned out to be a troll?" Then I might feel annoyed or irritated because of wasted effort, but not grubby. And I quite enjoy joining in some threads that I suspect might be trolls!

Original poster
Teacakeandalatte · 13/10/2019 11:30

I'm not a troll myself by the way Wink Also I am against troll hunting since I was once on a thread about an unusual situation a lot of people thought was made up, but I happened to be in a FB group with the OP but when I defended her got accused of being a sock puppet. But its just so annoying to put time into a thread and then get deleted. So how do we tell?

OP posts:
ThatssomebadhatHarry · 13/10/2019 11:33

I can normally tell from the way they reply. The post will be verging on wtf but then the drip feeds get more and more outrageous. Plus the reply’s to comments are minimal, more they are just enjoying the results of their updates and don’t really want to engage in conversation.
I find the troll threads in general just read like troll threads.

MrsSpenserGregson · 13/10/2019 11:33

I don't know - I'm rubbish at spotting troll threads, even the really obvious ones (it was recently pointed out to me that the Chester Zoo thread a few years ago was a troll, which had me totally convinced at the time). Apparently anything with twins in it sets the MN Trolldar flapping ....

Ohnoherewego62 · 13/10/2019 11:34

The limerance trolls always crack me up!

I was totally sucked in by the rocks at the doorstep thread.

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 13/10/2019 11:34

Give it a few more years of being here and you'll be able to spot them a mile off.

MrsSpenserGregson · 13/10/2019 11:35

I've been here since 2006 and I don't spot many of them. I must have GULLIBLE tattooed on my forehead

RLOU30 · 13/10/2019 11:35

It's more like how to spot the genuine threads unfortunately

Merryoldgoat · 13/10/2019 11:36

They often move very fast. Unrealistically so. Several updates within an hour moving from suspicion of an affair to discovery of unambiguous text messages, for example.

CAG12 · 13/10/2019 11:38

I struggle with it too!

But my main question is WHY?! Why bother creating a thread thats fake? Why waste time?! I just dont understand

Alittleodd · 13/10/2019 11:39

I always assume that threads where the drama unfolds in real-time are likely troll threads. I imagine there are people who may be dutifully updating their AIBU thread during the height of a serious emotional crisis but I wouldn't think there are many....

BeneathTheMist · 13/10/2019 11:39

@Mrs SpencerGregson not the penguin one? I think it was sort of a blind date thing

BeneathTheMist · 13/10/2019 11:41

@Ohnoherewego62 was that the one where the OP suspected being stalked by a neighbour...I lose track to be honest. That went on for ages didn't it?

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 13/10/2019 11:45

Why bother creating a thread thats fake?

I think of it as ... interactive fiction. We the audience help to determine the direction of the drama. Grin

U2HasTheEdge · 13/10/2019 11:45

99% of any 'Cheeky Fucker' threads are created by trolls.

Threads which end up being 3 threads long are usually started by trolls too.

And yes, if someone posts that they think their friend is shagging their husband then a few hours later they get the proof they need, then an hour later they have kicked the husband out, then it is likely fake.

Hurryharry33 · 13/10/2019 11:50

It's worth searching the posters history. If it's a first post with no reference to name change and an elaborate story is worth considering.

A troll will often leave many posters questions unanswered and after getting the flames burning by with maybe just a couple of posts in the first page or two leave quite a few hours between posts, come back sporadically to stoke the flames again.

SparklyMagpie · 13/10/2019 11:51

Just go to reddit 😂👍

Hurryharry33 · 13/10/2019 11:52

There can also common themes on trolls - there's a period troll, a pee troll, a pubic hair troll, a work affair troll, and a few more

Hurryharry33 · 13/10/2019 11:52

First posts can also be really long because the troll has spent a long time setting the scene before posting

SparklyMagpie · 13/10/2019 11:53

"I think of it as ... interactive fiction. We the audience help to determine the direction of the drama.Grin"

Like Black Mirror's Bandersnatch 😂😂

1066vegan · 13/10/2019 11:58

Was the thread from yesterday about not coping with her dp's autistic son (and being annoyed with dp for checking if she was ok) a troll thread?

I looked for updates this morning because I'd posted on it yesterday but can't find it anywhere.

ParkheadParadise · 13/10/2019 12:04

I've been on here for years. I've seen many troll threads. The bereavement boards always had a troll or two about.
I think you should be able to call a troll out on threads.

Djimino · 13/10/2019 12:12

99% of any 'Cheeky Fucker' threads are created by trolls.

I agree. They are ridiculous. Can't believe so many posters think they are true.

Trolls seem to love the persona of a slightly gullible, faux naive, plucky and chippy woman sometimes with an amazing supportive chap in the background.

They also love texts..... lots and lots of text and lots of AGONISING over what to write in the texts.

This thread will probably get deleted as no one wants to give the trolls any tips.

I don't troll hunt. It against the rules and I guess the trolls love a bit of controversy and love to pitch their threads as 'almost' unbelievable

highwindowsbluesky · 13/10/2019 12:13

I do understand troll hunting isn’t helpful, but I do firmly believe that there should be stickies re some of the paedophiles.

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 13/10/2019 12:15

twins....it's always twins!

Do you remember the one about the father, the car crash, dropping the children at nursery? Then the inevitable drip feed that they were twins.

Also as pp's said...the continual updating, the subsequent threads my last thread filled up so fast , and the fabrication of some sort of team or army, thanks to my #supportteam, I would never manage without you all