To think wtf is wrong with trolls

[OverTheRainbow88]

Recently I’ve read so many posts (often sad- missing child/being treated badly, being abused etc) and then after people spend ages giving sound advice the posts are taken down for being a troll.

What is wrong with these people? Do they need professional help?

If they are Carlsberg drinkers...

It's a game to them. Wind everyone up and away we all go. You get used to spotting those that are probably made up even though MNHQ say we must not troll hunt. You can think it but not say it.

There’s winding up and then there’s making up pretty horrible stories. Sad stories don’t wind me up they make me sad. If pretending my child’s gone missing and feared kidnapped is a wind up then I need some kind of therapy!

I agree, it is really despicable some of the threads that have been started and yes, it is human nature to want to help and sympathise and again to feel let down when we find it is a wind up. Some poor desperate person in need of real help may not get it because so many of us are quite wary now.

That latest one seems obsessed with adoption. Obviously some personal issues there.

Have you seen the one where the troll was asking what's wrong with trolls and why do they do it?😂

You need to compartmentalise a bit. Everyone on here is just a bunch of words and not a real face. Offer advice in writing and enjoy the stories people tell but don't get wrapped up in people you don't know because most people are liars online to some extent. For example my Christian name is not actually Barbara.

@BubblyBarbara

Yes I get that and will try.
But it is human nature to feel for someone when they share a sad story, even if you don’t know them, but yes maybe I’ll
Stop reading posts which are going to be sad.

People just seem to get a kick out of it. There are people like this in RL aswell. I've got family members that have lied, caused drama and then sat back to watch!

I'm sure it's the same person

There is the student one again. I suppose they are trying to make parents scared for their kids at halls?

Some get a kick out of provoking an emotional response, the more well meaning replies the better

Some get a sexual kick out of it - year old son posting sex toy pictures on his Insta account????

Some are sealions - 'politely' asking questions about women's rights or trans issues

Some are looking for screenshots - deliberately posting something inflammatory to screenshot and use as 'proof' we're all nutters/transphobic/man haters.

Sorry, 12 year old son.

@RedDiamond

If they are Carlsberg drinkers...

It's a game to them. Wind everyone up and away we all go. You get used to spotting those that are probably made up even though MNHQ say we must not troll hunt. You can think it but not say it.

Why are we not allowed to 'troll hunt'?

If they start an emotive/manipulative thread - we then realise and give them the necessary bollocking.

So far, so good.

But we're not allowed to give them the bollocking?? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I feel quite sorry for them actually; something must not quite be right to make up such stories for attention from Strangers

Click the three dots, click on Report and explain to Mumsnet why you think they're a troll.

Troll hunting is ugly, brings the forum down and creates 'extremists' who smell trolls on every thread.

@Gingernaut

Click the three dots, click on Report and explain to Mumsnet why you think they're a troll.

Troll hunting is ugly, brings the forum down and creates 'extremists' who smell trolls on every thread.

Tbf there probably is a troll on every thread recently...

Why are we not allowed to 'troll hunt'?

Because you might be wrong. I started a thread that loads of people didn't believe and loads more had obviously reported as MNHQ came on to say I was a long time poster and they had no reason to doubt me. Everything I said in my thread was the truth.

I miss the trolls of old. The school plimsoll troll was quite amusing compared to some of the stuff we get now. they know what presses people's buttons and it never fails. Been away from MN a while but I always thought the trolls were WAY more troubling than the troll hunters.

There should be some level of troll hunting allowed. I am surprised how long do some threads take to take down. Like begging ones. Or sometimes a known troll.

Why not just quietly report to MNHQ? Why does it need a gaggle of posters falling over themselves to be more pithy and 'amusing' in their troll hunting cries?

They are often wrong. I've yet to see one of these troll hunters actually come back to apologise. I've been on the sharp end, have never changed my username and still got called a troll.

Troll hunters are pathetic and believe their own hype.

I may not be up to date but the delay between the report and action can sometimes be quite long so 'quietly reporting' means the troll can continue to have their fun while that happens.

We are now entering the begging season. That will bring new ones in.

If you send money or material goods to an internet stranger then that's on you though isn't it? You can't save people from themselves if that's the choice they make.

It is best to report it.
I don't understand why they do it.
Some are silly and obvious.
There has been some convincing ones I remember one thread the OP has twins it turned out a troll thread lots of pp's tried to help the OP.
They are disturbing ones a nasty fantasist at play.

@Sparklingbrook

If you send money or material goods to an internet stranger then that's on you though isn't it? You can't save people from themselves if that's the choice they make.

I agree with that. But still. If you recognise returning troll (for example at the moment it's the uni one) or a beggar, It's hard to stay silent. People get upset on threads like that as well.