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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say that there is a huge amount of anti vax threads allowed on mumsnet?

310 replies

visitingagain · 09/12/2021 16:07

I fully expect this to be taken down but I am getting completely fed up with the number of anti vax and anti mask threads on mumsnet at the moment. People should be allowed to express views but some of the misinformation is shocking.

OP posts:
Original poster
visitingagain · 11/12/2021 17:29

@TisTheSeasonToBeVegan see @Innocenta s posts .

OP posts:
Original poster
visitingagain · 11/12/2021 17:32

@Notthemessiah no they are not telling the truth, any more than the autism posters are. They are anti vaxxers.
Vaccine side effects are real for all vaccines and I would suggest that people report them to the yellow card scheme rather than come on mumsnet- but posters on these threads never seem to have done that.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 11/12/2021 17:36

FFS what is wrong with discussing side effects on MN? There is not a Yellow Card forum where you can discuss things.

WHY are you wanting to shut discussions about side effects down?

Notthemessiah · 11/12/2021 17:38

[quote visitingagain]@Notthemessiah no they are not telling the truth, any more than the autism posters are. They are anti vaxxers.
Vaccine side effects are real for all vaccines and I would suggest that people report them to the yellow card scheme rather than come on mumsnet- but posters on these threads never seem to have done that.
[/quote]
Oh ffs.

Where people are telling actual lies about the vaccines (like them having microchips in) then I presume Mumsnet will take them down. When they are telling the truth about the potential side effects and negative outcomes (like the rare cases of blood clots with AZ or myocarditis with Pfizer) then presumably they won't.

You can't stop people talking about stuff that is actually true just because you don't want to hear it (much as I'm sure you'd like to though).

TisTheSeasonToBeVegan · 11/12/2021 17:55

@TisTheSeasonToBeVegan see @Innocenta s posts .

All you can do is ask them to delete and an explain if they don’t. The moderation on here on all topics is questionable at times, you only need to mention some topics and they disappear in minutes, yet I’ve seen racism left to stand for days until it’s finally deleted.

In terms of the covid vaccine stuff, the people spreading lies on here are massively outnumbered so they’re fighting a losing battle on here, but keep challenging MN if they’re letting anti vax stuff stand.

People should be able to talk about side effects of the vaccine, worries about having it and things like that. That’s not anti vax. If they’re saying things like vaccinated people spread it as easily as unvaccinated people then that needs to be deleted as it’s not true.

Innocenta · 11/12/2021 17:57

[quote TisTheSeasonToBeVegan]**@TisTheSeasonToBeVegan see @Innocenta s posts .

All you can do is ask them to delete and an explain if they don’t. The moderation on here on all topics is questionable at times, you only need to mention some topics and they disappear in minutes, yet I’ve seen racism left to stand for days until it’s finally deleted.

In terms of the covid vaccine stuff, the people spreading lies on here are massively outnumbered so they’re fighting a losing battle on here, but keep challenging MN if they’re letting anti vax stuff stand.

People should be able to talk about side effects of the vaccine, worries about having it and things like that. That’s not anti vax. If they’re saying things like vaccinated people spread it as easily as unvaccinated people then that needs to be deleted as it’s not true.[/quote]
Unfortunately that stuff does not get deleted. And personal attacks are systemically more tolerated from anti-vaxxers on the board. I don't know why this is, but it's definitely unsettling.

I agree that discussion should be allowed to happen, but the moderation needs to be responsible and it... isn't, at the moment.

GabriellaMontez · 11/12/2021 18:00

The vaccine carries a mortality risk.

There remains plenty of unknowns, dissenting experts and the 'science' continues to evolve.

To me, anyone who says 'There aren't two sides' is just as much of a fanatic as some of the people you criticise.

LittleDandelionClock · 11/12/2021 18:02

I don't care. Gives me a laugh!

Seriously though... if people are pro-vax, they aren't going to be swayed by the ramblings of some batshit anti-vaxxer!

User20393442 · 11/12/2021 18:02

At moderation level, they are protecting the anti-vaxxer faction on here, which I think is deeply disturbing. I've literally emailed them with specifics, breaking down how unevenly the talk guidelines are being applied

@Innocenta
MN has a reputation for allowing discussion on certain topics that aren't considered "woke" or correct in the liberal mainstream media. The trans debate is just one of them, and all those nitpicking "women should be called women" discussions. There have also been plenty of racist threads against China (in the context of covid) or Dubai/UAE (human rights) that were not deleted despite extensive reporting.

I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing as there will always be pockets of the internet where conservative (dare I say right-wing leaning) views can be discussed within reason. The anti-vaxx thing looks like it's been categorised there as well. MN is not dumb and they know their core demographics. Even though there are a huge number of liberal users here on the forum contributing to intelligent conversation, they are aware that a sizable user base want to have a "safe-space" for opinions that may not be entirely mainstream.

Notthemessiah · 11/12/2021 18:03

Unfortunately that stuff does not get deleted. And personal attacks are systemically more tolerated from anti-vaxxers on the board. I don't know why this is, but it's definitely unsettling.

I agree that discussion should be allowed to happen, but the moderation needs to be responsible and it... isn't, at the moment.

I think that's your perception tbh as I would say the opposite. That probably means that, like the left and right both accusing the BBC of bias, it's probably actually somewhere in the middle.

edification · 11/12/2021 18:04

Ooh yay, another thread on ... Zzzzz

Innocenta · 11/12/2021 18:07

@Notthemessiah

Unfortunately that stuff does not get deleted. And personal attacks are systemically more tolerated from anti-vaxxers on the board. I don't know why this is, but it's definitely unsettling.

I agree that discussion should be allowed to happen, but the moderation needs to be responsible and it... isn't, at the moment.

I think that's your perception tbh as I would say the opposite. That probably means that, like the left and right both accusing the BBC of bias, it's probably actually somewhere in the middle.

I can't rule that out, I suppose! I do have very specific, detailed examples in mind, but it would bore everyone rigid if I posted that stuff here. I'm sure you're right that there will always be varying perspectives on this, at least to some degree.
TisTheSeasonToBeVegan · 11/12/2021 18:09

User20393442

Women being women is just biology. Hardly nitpicking. Science backs it up. People can’t want science to be respected in terms of covid and vaccines but then deny it when it comes to a persons sex.

Original poster
visitingagain · 11/12/2021 18:41

Oh @TisTheSeasonToBeVegan please don't bring that up here it's a load of old toads and a very quick way to get this thread deleted.
@User20393442 I do agree that there are a sizeable number of right wing posters on here and they are often the worst offenders for pile ons and mostly the perpetrators of some of the most hateful and stupid eugenicist views.
I can think of numerous examples too @Innocenta.
I'm not sure that they should be given a safe space and not called out for it, no matter how good it is for site traffic. It's really how things like the January 6th uprising happened, because there is no way to moderate or report what goes on in closed internet groups and forums unless the admins take responsibility. Lots of people have called out the anti vaxxer comments, but they still stand and perpetuate.

OP posts:
TisTheSeasonToBeVegan · 11/12/2021 18:44

Oh @TisTheSeasonToBeVegan please don't bring that up here it's a load of old toads and a very quick way to get this thread deleted.

Someone else brought it up, not me. 😉

Original poster
visitingagain · 11/12/2021 18:47

@TisTheSeasonToBeVegan

User20393442

Women being women is just biology. Hardly nitpicking. Science backs it up. People can’t want science to be respected in terms of covid and vaccines but then deny it when it comes to a persons sex.

Let's not derail this please.
OP posts:
tigger1001 · 11/12/2021 18:53

@XenoBitch

FFS what is wrong with discussing side effects on MN? There is not a Yellow Card forum where you can discuss things.

WHY are you wanting to shut discussions about side effects down?

👏👏👏 this!

It's absolutely essential that people are able to discuss side effects. It's how informed consent is given. If you are aware of potential side effects you then get the opportunity to decide if you feel the benefit of the vaccine outweighs the risks to you.

To quash that conversation is dangerous. Far more dangerous than some of the more out there conspiracy theories.

TisTheSeasonToBeVegan · 11/12/2021 18:58

Let's not derail this please.

Again, not derailing. Just responding to another poster. Tell them, not me, not to derail if you must police the thread.

Original poster
visitingagain · 11/12/2021 19:00

@tigger1001 let's have a dedicated side effects thread. One thread in the covid boards, if that's a serious idea.

OP posts:
Grenlei · 11/12/2021 19:05

I find the pro vaxxers on MN are far more aggressive and rude than those who have decided not to be vaccinated. And their bombastic attitudes are not reflective of the general public. I've not encountered anyone in RL who feels entitled to lecture me about how terrible it is that I'm not vaccinated, or what an appalling and selfish person I am. Whereas on here posters seem to feel fully entitled to do so.

Derbee · 11/12/2021 19:08

@Grenlei

I find the pro vaxxers on MN are far more aggressive and rude than those who have decided not to be vaccinated. And their bombastic attitudes are not reflective of the general public. I've not encountered anyone in RL who feels entitled to lecture me about how terrible it is that I'm not vaccinated, or what an appalling and selfish person I am. Whereas on here posters seem to feel fully entitled to do so.
They’ll be saying it behind your back though
Innocenta · 11/12/2021 19:12

@Grenlei

I find the pro vaxxers on MN are far more aggressive and rude than those who have decided not to be vaccinated. And their bombastic attitudes are not reflective of the general public. I've not encountered anyone in RL who feels entitled to lecture me about how terrible it is that I'm not vaccinated, or what an appalling and selfish person I am. Whereas on here posters seem to feel fully entitled to do so.
Why aren't you vaccinated?
Grenlei · 11/12/2021 19:17

@Innocenta for reasons of personal choice. Thankfully a choice I can still exercise as vaccinations are not compulsory (although I'm sure if certain sectors of MN had their way they would be).

TisTheSeasonToBeVegan · 11/12/2021 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Notthemessiah · 11/12/2021 19:24

[quote visitingagain]@tigger1001 let's have a dedicated side effects thread. One thread in the covid boards, if that's a serious idea.[/quote]
Who made you the thread police?