AIBU to ask how often you chase your username, and why?

[TartanLassie]

I'm just about to change my username AGAIN! And wondered how often everyone else does?

For the first 10/12 years when we were young and innocent, I had the same user name. Well except for when we did the Secret Santas.

However for the last 5 or so years, I tend to change it every month or so. The main reason is because of security, you don't realise how much personal stuff you give away, even by changing names and ages of kids etc.

So when was the last time you changed?

I think about 2 months ago, I don't do it after a set length of time and it has never been about anonymity for me, I just think of a name I like and decide to use it.

Regularly but then I confuse myself with what I've said under which username!

@Clicketyclick21

Regularly but then I confuse myself with what I've said under which username!

I always wondered how people keep up with their hundreds of user names. What they said on which thread under what name.

I change every couple of months when I think I’ve given too much away

I have two that I alternate between.

I’d have more if I could remember my password.

I also deregged and rejoined after the hacking so lost my previous identity which makes me a bit sad.

@Sparklingbrook

Never. Don’t see the point as I don’t overshare. There would be less trolls around here if the name changing wasn’t so easy.

Absolutely.

Sparklingbrook it doesn't take much to confuse me!

Regularly. But can you re use a previous username that you've had in the past?

I don't. People IRL know who I am on here, I'm not particularly arsed. I don't talk about my job or anything particularly juicy and don't start threads.

Trolls have been around since the site started and we had a fair few long term trolls then. It lulls people in to a false sense of security that people are trustworthy.

Off the top of my head we had a couple of fake Drs, a judge, a midwife and a few who just liked to cause trouble that were well known and ‘loved’ I am sure.

It’s a chat site but there are a lot of strange people around and I wouldn’t want my posting history trawled through and dissected.

Let’s not pretend that people are not involved in off site groups that can be a source of trouble too.

I no more respect or value the opinion of someone who doesn’t name change than one who does.

I don’t care either, no idea why I am posting again other than nothing on TV.

If anyone wants to try and find out who I am then fine-I am not particularly interesting and have no skeletons in my cupboards. I did go to a meet up once though so my cover if I ever had any is well and truly blown.

Every week.

@Sparklingbrook

Never. Don’t see the point as I don’t overshare. There would be less trolls around here if the name changing wasn’t so easy.

That is what they all say!

I have a username which I have had about as long as I've seen you around these parts but I use other ones when I am not posting on a few threads where I am 'known'

@WhereDoWeGo

I had the same one for years until my ex found me on here, sent me screenshots of my posts & threatened to use them in court as I was 'slandering' his name. I was speaking to the police anyway about his behaviour so mentioned it to them & they said that even tho he had screenshots, it was best to get everything deleted.

I stayed away for a year or so after that.

It made me really sad in a way as I had ongoing threads about my health & ongoing threads with help for my child's behaviour (it wasn't just things about my ex) & I 'lost' it all.

I now have 2 names.

Yes I don’t think some people appreciate that things like that happen and that it can have very upsetting consequences. TRA like to doxx too.

Pretty regularly for outing reasons, I like my privacy. But I also have a personal rule I won't post anything I wouldn't admit to or say in RL to someone.

Blimey I must have had at least 50 name changes over the years. I change very often for privacy reasons, not that anyone would be interested to 'search' me though. I'm fairly boring.

That is what they all say!

What's what they all say? I'm not with you @marvinscarpark, I don't think I am 'known' on any threads.

I've never changed my username. I've been here since 2004.

On the other hand, there are some posters you come to know and love, they give good thread (Worra Liberty springs to mind, mumsnet queen of the quick response).

I've changed it once in about 13 years and that was for Christmas a couple of years ago and I never changed it after.
I don't post a lot though and cba changing it.

People say they don't notice usernames anyway so presumably it makes little difference.

Once a quarter

1. Because of that leak a few years back (although I think this account is under a neutral email)
2. Because I end up sharing too much
3. Boredom/trends/a new pun or joke I find amusing
4. Long con competition name changes (never works though! closest was being - getting jiggy with it - for 6 months so I could change to getting figgy with it)
5. Because it's such a large site there's no real advantage to being a known user unless you are in a quiche. No up for grabs anymore --I never was MN royalty. 13 years wasted! Wasted, I tell ya!
6. Stalkery

Every 6 months or year? Usually when I've really over shared on a thread .