To think Mumsnetters should change usernames more often?

[primrosestill]

I'm just following up on a recent thread about Mumsnetters who have been "outed" in real life. Lots of people said they had been, and even more said they had recognised people on Mumsnet, either from their unique stories, or from joining the dots between little pieces of personal info across multiple threads, or from photographs (e.g. of pets) that had also been shared on Facebook or elsewhere. Once you've been even vaguely recognised, your whole thread history can be located using Advanced Search, or even just by Googling the word Mumsnet along with the username.

It's easy to change your username. You just go to settings, overwrite the name, add your password and click save (you might get an error if it's not unique, so keep trying). Mumsnet rules say you can change the name as often as you like, so unless you really do want to build up a profile across multiple threads (fine if you do), why leave a trail for others to follow?

Because I don't mind if people know who I am? I have nothing to hide, and I'm not that remarkable.
I don't make up shit on here, or any sm platform. I've not said anything I cant stand beside. I am a no filter, no makeup, no hiding kind of person in rl and on line.

Unless of course you have nothing to hide either being on mumsnet or are happy to stand by your previous comments and opinions.

I would encourage users to do so where safeguarding issues are an issue but otherwise I would encourage users to post with more care initially as opposed to running away from previously made comments. We are all also aware, rightly or wrongly, the diminished credibility that ‘new’ posters have

I have a policy that I never say anything here that I wouldn't want the whole world to know. It means that I read more threads than I post on, but I'm comfortable with that. If you found out my real name in 5 minutes, you wouldn't know any more about me than you know now.

I have 3 names that I switch between regularly. Some have slightly altered details, eg DCs sexes
If I'm posting something which would make me recognisable to someone who knows me then I use one of my 'other' names.

Hopefully that's enough to stop anyone joining the dots (but probably not)

I'm with pp I don't see the need to change names all the time. I dont share any secrets on here maybe if I did I'd name change but I dont see the point for myself

I have 6 plus the user0000 one you can have . But I only really use 2 on a regular basis.

Redglitter, Lougle, NorthEndGal, If you've no reason to want to be anonymous, then fine. Others use Mumsnet as a sounding board for some very personal stuff and anonymity is probably a bit more important to them.

Yet not so important that they take advantage of the name-changing facility....

Why on earth would you have multiple usernames? It’s an anonymous forum. If you feel the need to use different usernames you may need mental health support.

I feel sorry for the DC of posters who say very personal things about their kids and then are recognisable. I recognised mum from school who then was talking about her DDs mental health in great detail.

I only change my username if I get bored of my name. I've changed it a fair few times in the 7 years I've been here. I'm not interesting enough for people to connect the dots and work out who I am.

However I have changed once for advise for something about a family member where I really needed some serious advise and didn't want that thread linked to my usual posts, I only used that name for the one thread and then went back to the one I was using at that point.

Some people use mumsnet as an online community, not just a sounding board. Hard to make acquaintances if you change your name all the time.

I change quite often because I posted on here for support during a horrible time that I don't want my wider circle knowing about.

@ConcernedParent1899

I posted about a fairly unique situation with one of my DC under one of my other names. Anyone who knows me would be able to guess that it's me. (Probably not overly likely)

Then I posted under this user name about my MH issues. A lot of people I know dont know about them/the extent of them. I wouldn't want them to find out about them by searching my posts.

So I use different names for different situations.

Yes, all the time! (Not least because I seem unable to choose a name which is not some kind of ridiculous.)

I've been on MN for nearly 17 years with the same username. Never been a problem

That's what made me change mine! After 5 years I realised it wouldnt take someone long to join the dots and I've revealed a couple of things. Still getting use to this name.

I'd like to change my user name as I now have another cat but I feel it would be disrespectful to Troy.

I couldn't care if I was outed. My personal life is boring, I don't post nasty replies, they are kept in my head and not my fingers and somethings I post I've probably mentioned or experienced in real life.

Depends where you post. I read some of the support.information boards, and you get to know which posters generally talk sense. If someone has NC, they'll appear like a new poster, and you don't have a clue whetehr they're speaking rubbish.

I don’t get it though. Why, if you are concerned about people knowing who you are, would you use a username that may give you away. More importantly, why would you even be concerned? Mental health is not a disease, what is the problem?

I change at least 3 times a week.

Been here years. Learned my lesson.

Not so much being outed. But people searching username and bringing up stuff unrelated to my issues etc

My user name won't give me away. It's a fictional character

And I know MH isn't a disease. Doesn't mean I want everyone to know about it.

Why does it bother you so much that other people change their name?

Because I forget it's me and start answering my own threads .

For those who feel the need to change usernames, maybe just be nice and only say things you would to someone in person?