Is Mumsnet a net negative or positive in your life?

[Neteffect]

NC but I am a regular poster and I'm NOT dissing mumsnet at all.

I've had amazing advice on parenting issues and love Style & Beauty which is also a v friendly section. I was also 'peaked' by the sex and gender discussions.

But sometimes I feel dragged down by the relentless negative threads and the arguments, particularly on things like BF vs FF, child obesity, poverty and the attitude of 'race to the bottom etc.

I cant actually decide if, on a daily basis, mumsnet has a negative or positive effect on my life and mood! Tell me how you all feel please!

I think Aspects of mumsnet threads are just reflective of life, as in life is/can be bitter/sweet ,

Other Aspects,
obviously you only going to hear mostly of Crap relationships 🙄 and friendships,
It does make me think thank fxck i am single with relief type of feeling,
I like mumsnet it's a weird quirky enlightening at times, educational/bonkers that what I really like about it,
It's eclectic mix

I think you need to make sure you don't get too over invested though
Keep a balance a healthy perspective.

It’s a nothing, just something to dip in and read like a magazine

Definitely positive. Over the years I have gained a lot of genuinely useful information and advice. I have also been called a cunt. Happy to take the rough with the smooth.
Then I again, I do like debating things, even with strangers.

It can be a positive. But sometimes, just...no. Especially from mumsnet themselves - for example, they've just partnered up with an adult toy company who describe women as "vulva havers", so....I don't find them so supportive for women any more.

It's made me want to dump my boyfriend many times 😂

It's been a really big negative at some points. On the few times I've come for some real advice I've found it very hostile and that never helps. I took a break for a while and now only ever post about non-important stuff tbh and it's much better 😁.

I love Mumsnet! As an expat it has helped me keep in touch with the UK and I think the freedom of speech it allows is something to be seriously cherished when the British news narrative is driven by the Murdoch and Rothermere dominated press. It also is a very rare platform where a woman’s unadulterated voice can be heard.

Yes of course one can get irritated by certain posters and threads (especially on the Brexit and Politics topics) but I have also learned a lot from the site and when I find myself getting irritated I know it’s probably time to step back a bit. But overall I love it and moreover I think it’s become a very positive force for women in the UK and elsewhere.

So bravo Justine and thank you Mumsnet Towers 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I hide lots of topics and lots of threads. Sometimes I'll write something and then hide the thread later anyway mwahahahaha 😈

It's like anywhere online tbh. You have to filter out the noise a bit. I hide most threads on weight, bf v FF, anything to do with the sussexes or whatever we're calling them now. This isn't because I have strong feelings on any of those subjects, but because the threads inevitably go nuts and I want no part in it.

I have also been known to delete my account and take a break from time to time.

I like it but sometimes feel people can just be nasty or condescending for no reason or without taking other views on board. I was genuinely trying to be nice the other day speaking from personal experience and literally got ripped to shreds by one or two posters. Stopped posting since until now.

I had to have an extended total break from mumsnet during covid. The amount of doom mongerers on here really started to mess with my mental health. Besides that, I generally find it a positive place to be.

I wish it was around when I was young. It’s only in the last few years (I’m 38 now) that I’ve started to realise that a few of the relationships I had in my late teens/early 20s were emotionally abusive. Mumsnet and the relationships board played a big part in me coming to that realisation.

It is pretty common knowledge that this site is batshit and not even slightly mirrors real life. If you come here for support and advice on anything then you must be in a pretty bad place and will probably get your entire existence torn to shreds. This site is a positive for the pure entertainment it provides. Maybe each thread should have the movie disclaimer 'All characters and other entities appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, dead or alive, or other real-life entities, past or present, is purely coincidental'

Negative. It has made me think less well if people in general (probably unfairly) and of a family member who posts on here.

Yeah tbh I'm really glad I don't know people like these posters in real life! I would cross the street if I saw some of them.

It's good for when I'm bored. But when I've had a thread of my own I've only ever had negative responses which have left me sad. And some of the threads I read contribute to my anxiety, so I would say at the moment I find it more negative. But I'd rather have a break for a few days than delete completely.

I've learned a fair bit and it's good to read differing opinions. Also picked up some useful tips e.g blend flaked almonds if you havent got any ground. On the whole positive. But there's definitely a lot of drama, which let's face it we all secretly love to read.

I've had a lot of amazing advice and support on here, but one poster REALLY hurt my feelings 😔

Considering how frequently I'm attacked on here; net negative.

Thankfully my real life is fine

That's so cute 💕

😲😲😲😲

Can you say more?

It doesn't make a huge impact but it is a positive. Admittedly there are topics I avoid and threads I don't click on.

Mainly positive. I've gotten some very useful advice over the years. Been helpful for understanding the UK as a foreigner raising a family here. More helpful than my own UK family members, often.

Some of the topics covering style and beauty, women's health, education, the economy, the effect of Tory government policies have all been a good read and discussion.

But yes, there are an awful lot of threads that descend into ugliness really quickly. I seem to remember MN being a little more proactive with moderation across the entire forum years ago, but I'm not sure if that's still the policy.

I love mn. I wouldn't be here otherwise.

I've made some genuine friendships, which I never expected and was a nice surprise.

Threads and mners used to be much funnier. And I miss those. Threads can occasionally be funny, but it's much rarer now.
And those posters lacking irony, any sense of humour and any original thought or even a braincell do make me eye roll. Especially if they're self righteous as well.

But generally, I do love it and I do my best to avoid the bits that don't work for me

Neither. It's just a bit of fluff.

I don't think MN would like me saying anything about it ....

To be fair, the politics threads during Brexit and Covid were far more than that.