If you’re a regular user: Is MN your guilty secret or are you open about using it regularly?

80 replies

Theboredpanda · 05/04/2026 07:24

I’m just wondering if it’s just me or if everyone does this…I’m a regular user, but never in a million years would I admit that to anyone in my real life! If I want to talk about something i saw on here to someone IRL, I may say something like “I saw this thing on MN” and make a self-deprecating joke about how I’m a bit of a loser for being on it. I’d never admit that I’m a regular user or that I have debates with strangers on here or use it for anything other than asking for parenting advice occasionally. Does everyone else do the same or are you open about it with your friends & wider social circle? If not, why not?

OP posts:

CoCoJones26 · 08/04/2026 12:18

Long time user and a gran so I prob shouldn't even be here! I love it for holiday advice, style and just general chit chat, but yes, its a guilty pleasure!

BillieWiper · 08/04/2026 12:18

I don't really talk about things I saw on here at all. It feels like a separate world. I'm open about the fact I use it though, my family know. But I wouldn't want them on here! 🤣

supples · 08/04/2026 12:24

HmmmCat · 05/04/2026 09:15

At home I often say “I shall consult the Oracle”, and all know this means Mumsnet. I have signposted women here, just as I was nearly 25y ago. I wouldn’t say I talk about it to all and sundry, but I don’t hide it, either.

25y ago MN was tiny, 5-6000 posters. I was recognised a few times and I recognised people, too. Until MN took off massively, I protected my anonymity by being relatively secretive about it (unless I felt a woman would benefit from it). But now, when there are 100s of 1000s of posters, I no longer feel the need to do so. Nonetheless, I still namechange.

I’m totally stealing this - I often say I’ll ask Mn when we have a household product to buy or decision to make - I love the idea that a mass collection of women (mainly) is The Oracle. DH talks about consulting ‘my guys’ for news about the world - various academics and political commentators he trusts. Well I consult ‘my women’ on here!!!

NovemberMorn · 08/04/2026 17:35

CoffeeCantata · 08/04/2026 12:14

I try to only write stuff I'd be OK with my friends and family seeing. I can't swear I always achieve that standard, but I aim for it.

Yes, I know the thing about an anonymous forum is that you CAN say things you wouldn't in real life, and that's great when it's an AMA thread or where - as here - OP has asked for honest, unvarnished opinions. That's fine.

What isn't fine is the personal abuse. I wish pps would stick to the OP's question and not throw insults around. So often nasty people think they've cleverly 'read between the lines' of the OP and start accusing them of all kinds of attitudes.prejudices and motives that a) there is no evidence for and b) aren't the point, and derail the discussion. To try to prevent this, many OPs write lengthy posts full of disclaimers instead of being concise with their point/question. It's tedious but I can see why they do it - to try and stop the petty nit-pickers ('What's it got to do with anything that she was elderly?" "Why did you mention her lip-filler?" etc etc yawn.

Show quote history

I agree. I make a point of never writing down what I wouldn't say to someones face. I hate the anonymous abuse people throw about; you just know they would never dare to speak like that to someone they were talking to, so why write it anonymously?

There is a thread active at the moment, where so many psoters have rushed in to add to the already hundreds of posts bordering on abuse.... Why?

SpottyAlpaca · 08/04/2026 17:46

Obviously not. This place is absolutely bonkers, so of course I’m not going to admit to posting here.

I’m also on Pistonheads (ie MN for blokes) which is both much less entertaining & much saner so I’m quite open about that.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread