To think AIBU polls are pointless due to demographic?

[Pewterschmitt]

I was thinking about this earlier, since the app doesn’t allow people to vote, the votes are almost meaningless as only a certain section of MN users will be voting.

Desktop users of MN are predominantly older which will also sway the voting % meaning it’s hardly a good barometer of what the general view is, it also explains why many times the comments will be very different to what the vote looks like.

The demographic breakdown of app vs DT users is easy to access if you put in a request btw before anyone jumps on that point

So AIBU to think that the poll results on here aren’t worth much and MN should allow app users to vote too?

“Desktop users of MN are predominantly older which will also sway the voting % meaning it’s hardly a good barometer of what the general view is, it also explains why many times the comments will be very different to what the vote looks like.”

Why are the views of ‘older users’ incompatible with those of a ‘general view’?

Ageist bullshit again. One day you’ll be older. It doesn’t mean your brain falls out of your ear.

Voting works on phones though. I don’t have the app. And does it matter anyway? It’s hardly a scientific study.

Yes I use MN on my phone, but the website not the app.

I use the mobile site on my phone. I don't have the app.

Same. I'm 30.

I don't use the app when I'm on my phone.

I just Google Mumsnet and use the desktop that way. It's exactly the same as if you were on a laptop, so you can vote.

I use the mobile site on my phone, not the desktop site.

Voting is a total nonsense that means nothing. I agree

Youve missed a whole section of users from your argument as well, I'd guess more posters use the website on their phones than on a desktop

The most silly thing is posters who start their posts. I voted .... Because ..., it not for homework, no one cares 😁

Same here

Use your phone.

I vote on my phone. The app is rubbish so I use the website on my phone.

Most people use mobile site, not app, which allows votes.

I do, I’m 33

Surely they are utterly pointless full stop.

Do you really not understand that age impacts someone’s views?

This is quite a basic factor when looking into statistical data gathering. If I asked my Nan an AIBU question she would have a different take than my mother and my niece.

I get you with the demographic but not in the same way. To me most of the users on here seem to think all problems can be solved by hiring a cleaner and that if a man says or does anything a woman doesn't like he's a misogynist that's abusing her. I don't think either of those things reflect the views of the majority of women in real life

So you use the desktop version of the site then

Not sure the point you’re trying to make, when you use your phone browser you’re accessing the DT version and are then counted in those numbers outside of app users.

Use the mobile site on your phone @Pewterschmitt.

Do you know there's a mobile site?

Most people do not, again, the stats are available if you put in a marketing request for data from MN.

They only categorise app users vs DT, when accessing the desktop version of the site via your phone you will be counted under the DT stats.

78% of those accessing via the desktop version of the site are in the 55-75 age group.

However only 13% of app users are in this group.

Having such an age disparity in the voting will sway the results. It’s seen time and time again on many subjects where views are often different based on generation. Although most using AIBU are older anyway so that will also be a factor

you could say that about any MN AIBU vote.

I use the app and have never been able to vote. I just comment instead.

“Do you really not understand that age impacts someone’s views?”

As I said - ageist bullshit. You don’t consider older people’s views the ‘general view’ so you find your nan’s view irrelevant. Even though she’s probably got more perspective and life experience. Your prejudice is shameful.

If you use your phone it defaults to mobile site not desktop site. I can switch between them.

I’ve thought most of people are using their phones, I personally do. Not on the app, I just keep one tab with MN opened and logged in.

🙄
A 'general view' is about hearing the views across all demographics. It doesn't mean ignoring older people. Stop projecting.