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Original poster

I'm so upset - I've been Facebook shamed!

240 replies

Whatsthis1515 · 21/04/2020 19:31

We don't have much outside space, so I took my 3 youngest (8, 6 and 5) to the park to ride their bikes. The park is about a 10 minute walk away but we had to drive because my 8 year old has a broken leg (in a cast). We parked in the park's car park. There was no one there apart from us. The kids started biking on the grass but then they decided to bike round the carpark - smooth tarmac, so great to get their confidence up.

Anyway, after 30 mins we put the bikes back in the car and drove home.

I have just seen on our local Facebook group that someone has posted a short video clip of us (filmed from a distance, assuming from someone's bedroom window) and said 'Due to covidiots like his continuing to drive to our village to use our park, we are locking the gates to discourage it. If anyone knows these people please let them know we've got them on film!'.

I am mortified. The post has had about 20 likes, but a few people are saying that parks are open so they don't see the problem and that the government have specifically told councils to leave parks open.

Did I do anything wrong? I'm really shy so don't plan on responding to the post but I only drove there due to my daughter's broken leg, and secondly, we didn't see anyone and thirdly, now the park is not accessable to us because there is nowhere safe to park near it. We have now lost the use of our local park Sad I just don't understand

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatsthis1515 · 21/04/2020 19:41

I'm actually going to copy and paste what @PegasusReturns said. I need to stand up for myself

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 21/04/2020 19:41

People are such twats atm OP. You have every right to take it down but I wish you would state the facts on fb and shame the fool who filmed children without consent!

Lindy2 · 21/04/2020 19:42

Message the admin of the Facebook group. Explain the situation and ask them to remove the post.

You can find out who the group admin person is by clicking on the group information options.

YakkityYakYakYak · 21/04/2020 19:42

I would probably comment something similar to what Pegasus suggested. Rightly or wrongly, I would also want to counter-shame them for secretly filming and uploading videos of children to social media.

SushiGo · 21/04/2020 19:42

I know it feels quite intimidating but I would reply as suggested above.

There is genuinely nothing wrong with what you have done and they should be ashamed of themselves.

jay55 · 21/04/2020 19:43

Who films other people's kids, without permission and posts it online? Fucking weirdos that's who.

thistimelastweek · 21/04/2020 19:44

Can't you just post ' covidgilantes would do well to know their facts before they try to stir up trouble'.

Christmastreedown · 21/04/2020 19:44

Oh no, our village FB community shame people like that too. Tbh, it's better to keep quiet if no one defend you on FB already. It's awful when you really haven't done anything to harm anyone.

PicturesOfCats · 21/04/2020 19:44

I’d just reply, telling them ‘DD has a broken leg, so we drove. Also, we live here, so for your next sleuth, your catalogue of photos of residents obviously needs updating 😉’

Mulhollandmagoo · 21/04/2020 19:45

I would absolutely comment on the post, tell them exactly what and why you did what you did and that you're from the village.

But that aside I would go to town that they filmed my children and put them on a public forum without my consent, I chose not to have my daughter on Facebook as I don't feel it's safe! Draw their attention to the safety aspect of it, however people are choosing to deal with lockdown it's no excuse to film peoples children

Original poster
Whatsthis1515 · 21/04/2020 19:46

No, the park itself is still open, but they have shut the gate to the carpark next to it, supposedly to discourage people driving there.

My daughter with the broken leg stood with me leaning against the car watching them. She didn't have her crutches out of the car unfortunately as her little hands are so sore from them so wasn't clear she had a broken leg although you can see she has a cast on! If they'd bothered to look of course Angry

I wish people would use their common sense

OP posts:
Sandsnake · 21/04/2020 19:46

What an utter twat, I’m really sorry that happened to you. It’s tough enough at the moment without people like that making things harder.

Please respond. You can be polite and factual, so not inviting a pile on. And if people agree with you then the decision about closing the park may be reversed. Other than that, don’t give it any head space. This crisis is really bringing out the worst in some people, who seem desperate to point the finger at others - often with no good reason at all.

Original poster
Whatsthis1515 · 21/04/2020 19:47

I have posted on there. I will let you know what's said Shock

OP posts:
riotlady · 21/04/2020 19:47

I would comment and tell them, tbh, you’ve not done anything wrong and the world could do with less judgy busybodies!

TorkTorkBam · 21/04/2020 19:49

Who the fuck do they think they are that they can lock a council car park's gates?!

I'd be on to the council and the police if I got there tomorrow and found that someone had whacked a chain and padlocks on public property.

I would also call 101 to complain that someone in one of those houses is making secret videos of children playing in the park and is putting the recordings on social media, without asking the parents' permission.

Wanderlust21 · 21/04/2020 19:50

Fingers crossed.
Ppl that are that arrogant often look for any excuse not to appologise unfortunately :/

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 21/04/2020 19:50

Absolute idiots. How dare they video you!?!

PegasusReturns · 21/04/2020 19:52

I hope you get an apology. You deserve one.

In the event the original poster doubles down ignore and pay no heed. They’re at fault not you.

HandfulOfDust · 21/04/2020 19:52

A few people wrote complaints on our local village facebook group about peopel driving in. The majority of people defended their right to come and enjoy the village as long as they practised social distancing.

HandfulOfDust · 21/04/2020 19:52

Our local playground did get locked up but that was because groups of teenagers were congregating there.

CroissantsAtDawn · 21/04/2020 19:54

Hope your DDs hands stop feeling sore soon Flowers. A broken leg on top of everything else must be hard.

kimlo · 21/04/2020 19:55

They should be more concerned about posting videos of unknown children of facebook than a situation they know nothing about. They have no idea if there are any safeguarding concerns that would make it unwise, which could have worse consequenses than you driving to a park for your walk, which the cps have said is allowed

Hanamuslim · 21/04/2020 19:55

You didn't do anything wrong , sweetheart, just forget about it . You get your kids out and enjoy the fresh air and exercise. Probably some bored fuddy duddy with nothing else better to do

WanderingLost167 · 21/04/2020 19:56

We did exactly that yesterday, kids cycled around the field, perfect place for my youngest to learn. We bought essential food from the shop and then went home. We weren't the only ones out and anyone challenging us would have got a swift rebuttal

897654321abcvrufhfgg · 21/04/2020 19:56

I would have to put up a comment expressing concern that they are filming your children and putting it on the internet.