More and more thread deletions.

[SneezedToothOut]

Is it just me? There seems to be a growing willingness by Mumsnet HQ to delete threads when posters ask.

Myself and others have spent significant time today trying to help a poster get into a better position for her children and poof, it’s disappeared because the “OP felt it was too identifying”. Ironically we were needing more than the scant info posted to properly help.

Feels really disrespectful to other posters to just wipe out a thread like that, and I thought Mumsnet was pretty tough on when threads could and couldn’t be deleted.

It’s happening more and more.

Exactly.

Yes it might cut down on the essay replies true. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though some folk really do take themselves far too seriously.

What's nasty is getting the hump because someone wants a personal issue deleting and thinking that they shouldn't be allowed to do so. Some people may post not realising more identifying information may be asked, and considering the media love scouring this site its understandable if they get cold feet and want to back out. It's extremely controlling to think otherwise. Maybe they could look at it like reddit, the post could be deleted and the comments left in place.

This!

It used to be really hard to get threads deleted. I’ve asked before and had to hide it instead because I was getting slammed. MNHQ wouldn’t delete it and said I should hide it. Fine. It was the rules. Now though it’s please delete and they do

It’s part of the info when signing up, but yeah, let’s make it like everywhere else. (I don’t use other sites.)

I think it's fine to ask for a thread to be deleted. Sometimes it is identifying or the OP is getting a kicking. Perhaps don't get so invested in a thread.

Yes, YABU. If an OP wishes to delete a thread that they started, then they should be free to do so.

You sound really over invested if you’re seriously saying you feel disrespected because a stranger online has their thread deleted that you posted on. I’d suggest you use mumsnet less and concentrate on your real life because it sounds like a really unhealthy reaction,

The first ever thread I posted was an AIBU and it ended up on the most read table which started to feel out of control. It turned out to be quite a polarising question which split the responses. I did worry it was too identifying - particularly as some of the posters who thought IWBU were criticising me along the lines of "how awful of you even to ask this, what would the person involved think" and warning me they might read it. I actually think that was a malicious overexaggeration now but at the time I erred on the side of caution. I was grateful Mumsnet were so understanding as it's quite a surprise to kind of go viral!

I agree with this - I’ve posted stuff I’ve regretted. Luckily MNHQ were happy to delete when I asked.

I think they are selective as I've also posted then regretted it and they refused to delete it. Everywhere else allows you to delete it.

Why did the “What was the last thing you watched on YouTube thread” deleted? I was enjoying that one!

It happened to one I was reading yesterday. Nothing hugely identifying at all (that was the reason given for deletion), however coincidentally most posts were not agreeing with the OP, who came across as nasty and controlling towards their partner...

This sounds so self indulgent. To be perfectly honest the world will keep on turning without your advice.

When I see these sorts of posts I think they’re more about posters wanting to feel superior to someone and feel good about themselves, by wanting the full story on someone else struggling. Like when posters moan that the OP didn’t give them an update. It’s like they see it as entertainment when it’s actually someone’s real life. If it’s not a made up thread of course, which is another reason not to get too invested anyway!

An absolutely vile misogynistic post stayed on a COViD thread and lingered for some hours despite numerous requests to remove it. Other quite benign posts are swiftly removed. Frankly baffling and concerning!

This. You see see some really vicious responses on here and I really worry about some of those OPs getting slammed for sport. No wonder they want their thread deleted.

I'm sure MNHQ saw the posters point of view and made an informed and helpful decision.

I’ve noticed it too, especially this last week. Some of the threads are not even serious , just funny general chat ones😳

This. I’ve seen posts removed for “being identifying” when the information was literally so generic it could have been anyone in the UK population. It’s clearly them being angry the thread didn’t go their way which is both petulant and stupid.

Their ball, their game I think. The forum I moderated on mods discussed behind the scenes, no-one arbitrarily deleted anything.

But even then, to be bothered that it’s deleted is also stupid. It just doesn’t matter.

YABU. Why do you care? So if they want their post gone, no problem. Doesn’t affect you unless you were on their post being unkind determined to see others piling on too

As MNHQ say, never give more in time, money or investment than you’re prepared to lose