To think some of the more extreme threads on here should be removed

[Carbosug]

I started reading a couple of threads yesterday and had to stop because the tone was so 'doomsday, there's no hope, we're all going to die'.

I do understand that for those suffering from anxiety this must be an incredibly difficult time. But creating threads that totally exaggerate the dangers or stray into dystopian scenarios is not going to help anyone else's anxiety levels.

AIBU to wish Mnhq would kindly but speedily remove some of these threads.

By the way I thought I had posted on this earlier but can't find the thread so apologies if this is a duplicate.

Unfortunately the word anxiety on MN has become meaningless as it peppers every thread

Yep.

I love a good extreme thread but then I am able to discern between fact and fiction and don't need to be mollycoddled

The solution is simple. If the thread or posts within it breach the site's terms and conditions, report it so that it can be deleted. If not, you have the freedom of choice to stop reading when you get to something uncomfortable.

Banning "extreme" threads would involve someone being the sole arbiter of acceptability. They would need to have full knowledge of what is going on in the world and, more importantly, foreknowledge of everything that is going to happen so that they can delete posts that are inaccurate. You're unlikely to find this person and if you could they should probably be using their skills in a more productive direction than moderating an internet forum.

People who do suffer from anxiety don't need to be reading this alarmist rubbish.

So they won't read it. Stop infantilising people with anxiety, they can make decisions for themselves. They don't need MN to act as the big protector (read dictator) and censor or delete every scary post or stuff about difficult topics. Ever hear of free speech?

@Ethelfleda Well said, too many people online (who probably don't even have diagnosed anxiety) seem to think declaring they have anxiety is a free pass to behave anyway they please and never ever try to help themselves.

Excellent idea. Along with the essentials only policing, 'my neighbour went out twice' and 'she bought crisps AND chocolate', why not encourage MN to further 'protect' us? Let's ban news reports as well. And throw out the tv and switch off the wifi, oh, hang on though . . .l

threads that totally exaggerate the dangers or stray into dystopian scenarios is not going to help anyone else's anxiety levels

1. people have always exaggerated on MN - most users will know the score, and if they don't, it becomes obvious fairly quickly.

2. many people are living real-life dystopian scenarios now so what would have been mad to suggest a month ago is far more plausible now. People should be free to discuss these ideas and we need human interaction and free speech more than ever at the moment.

3. MN Talk isn't here to help people's anxiety levels - there are plenty of other apps for that and there is plenty of advice out there for people managing their own anxiety. Furthermore, people with anxiety quickly learn which threads to watch and which to hide and/or to take a break from MN when necessary.

MN shouldn't cater to the most fragile and gullible person who could come on here and believe that every poster is correct and worry about it. Otherwise no-one would be able to say anything.

It's for adults and they have Talk Guidelines.

Actually i agree op and i hugely disagree with people saying its freedom of speech and talk guidelines. Mumsnet itself frequently deletes comments and posts saying "its not in the spirit of the site" because it could hurt people. the site is supposedly to help people not to democratically protest your rights to freedom of speech. And for people saying thdy havent seen fantastical doom threads there was one about 2 days ago where people were talking about corona virus being 100% fatal to all humans and wiping out mankind. It was fucking nuts. It didnt help anyone and probably just riled up people already in isolation with no way of seeing a gp or councillor to manage this. Bit daft to say they are adults and should manage it themselves. Right now its impossible for some and they come here fot dupport instead to be confronted with utter lunacy.

Anyway my point is freedom of soeech doesnt exist at all. If it did people could say anything they want and not be punished for it. But they cant. People cant say whatever they want and be free to do so. Freedom means freedom not threat of punishment whether thats the more extreme (rightfully) prison for threats/racism/hate etc or less extreme deleted messages or banning on places like forums. And as im betting a huge ammount of these people have reported comments and threads before they are purely hypocritical.