We're thinking of making a change to this section

[MichaelMumsnet]

We're doing some work to make sure that people who are looking for support can find the most relevant sections of Mumsnet by making areas easier to find when people are searching.

We're proposing to add something similar to that used in other sensitive areas of the site.

We're thinking of only letting people post in this group if they have been a member of Mumsnet for a certain number of days. We don't think this would stop people getting support - they can post in any other areas - but this section would have an extra access requirement.

We'd add a message at the top of the group saying something along the lines of, 'Only those who have been a registered user of Mumsnet for at least xx days can post in this topic.'

What do you think?

Not sure of your logic here:

We don't think this would stop people getting support - they can post in any other areas - but this section would have an extra access requirement

So what's the point?

1. You say it's to help people looking for support. It'll just push Bereavement to more accessible areas, e.g. Chat and AIBU.

2, Are you saying weird not- newbies have been asking for Bereavement help?

1. Is there evidence that unhelpful "newbies" have been posting unhelpful help for the Bereaved?

1. Are those who've been registered with MN for longer more qualified to post?

Somebody who is bereaved is going to reach out for support where they can get it. They might have heard of mumsnet or have been recommended to the site. How callous to turn them away because they aren't members.

I can't see the logic in that. Why would someone desperate or seeking support have to wait a number of days?
Why exclude someone wanting or needing to share their experience?

I tend to agree with the view that requiring a certain number of days on Mumsnet would not accomplish anything worthwhile. I can speak only for myself, but reaching out online was not something I thought of when my parents died four days apart.

Grief is very personal. Many people may profit from the ability to seek support from social media. I did not find any comfort there.

Often postings are a spur of the moment cry for help. I would not remove that option.

^^ What they all said.

Agree with the above. Seems illogical

I stumbled across Mumsnet after a Google search when I was feeling desperate (not about a bereavement) I found immediate support. So I'm not sure it's the best idea.

I can't see the logic here. You want to make it easier to search topics (not sure how this is linked) and easier for people to access support....by making it more difficult to post?

You haven't said what the problem is? Are people abusing the bereavement board?

What would be the point?

I suspect this would be to try and weed out bereavement trolls. I don’t think it’s a good idea though.

I think it's a reasonable idea, and could benefit from a trial run. For anyone in immediate need of support, they can reach out to Samaritans (via text and email as well as phone), who could sign post callers to bereavement-specific resources, if the person wanted that. There are also other online forums and helplines as well as resources such as friends, family, GP etc.

I think a small measure to protect posters genuinely in need of support is a sensible thing, particularly when trolls can be damaging and upsetting.

I think when you are in a desperate, dark place, after losing someone you've love, the last thing you need is to be turned away. Yes you'll get trolls wherever, but surely compassion and giving a platform to grieve outweighs them?

Well, has having a XX day membership duration for the Sex Board reduced the number of sex trolls/troublesome posters?

All,it did was make the topic a backwater.

This will wreck the Bereavement topic, by turning away and turning off posters. Which 'other areas' do you really think are appropriate for posts about bereavements?

I'm with the majority. I'm prepared to risk (?) replying to someone who is trolling, in order to try to support someone who is muddling through, looking for help.
You do get posters saying 'My parent has just dies, what do I need to do first?' type thing - they can't wait a week for their post to be answered.

Do we really get people trolling the Bereveament boards ?

I think it is a good ide.

When people are grieving they are often very isolated and if posting for the first
Time
On Mumsnet helps why make that harder?

Nah, don't do it.

I was thinking you could consider actively moderating new posters starting a thread in bereavement? I don't think you should stop new posters responding to threads unless there's been a particular problem?

Or will that lead to dedicated trolls just signing up a month before they post?

Has there been a number of posts recently that you believe weren't genuine or that you had complaints about?

@BackforGood we do indeed get bereavement trolls.

People asked for this years ago. Not sure why now?

As a bereaved poster I can't see the value in changing this, I've never felt this board to be unsafe, or in need of extra monitoring. And a lot of people post on here because they're suddenly bereaved, it would be a real shame for them to lose that.

Whaaat? Surely if people are disturbed enough to troll, they’ll continue to do once they’ve been registered long enough.
I agree with pp that in the event of someone needing this topic, it’s going to be really detrimental for them to not have access to it.

What do I think? NO NO AND NO...!
People who are bereaved need to let their feelings out there & then not come back a few days after registering. On the scale of bad ideas @MNHQ this is the worst you have had.....