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Covid

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Original poster

I’m concerned that Mumsnet are not doing enough to tackle misinformation

211 replies

Beadebaser · 04/01/2022 16:21

I might end up getting a ban, or my thread deleted. But I am concerned. I’ve seen more anti-vaxx material discussed here than on any other social media platform.

And the way it is discussed concerns me. A potentially vulnerable person poses a question - and then others appear to ‘jump’ on this post giving advice that is contrary to the NHS guidelines.
I’m all for a debate in ‘normal’ times - but while things are pretty critical for the NHS/schools - shouldn’t we be doing all we can to support them and each other?
Yesterday I reported a post explaining in detail to Mumsnet why it was misinformation. They didn’t respond.
I’ve had a thread removed already saying I’d be messaged personally. I wasn’t contacted.
Mumsnet have a duty of care to their readers. Misinformation and fake news is an online harm.

OP posts:
GirlInACountrySong · 04/01/2022 17:55

op, what did mumsnet say about turning off posts by specific posters?

a few of us have asked you now??

rrhuth · 04/01/2022 17:56

@GirlInACountrySong

op, what did mumsnet say about turning off posts by specific posters?

a few of us have asked you now??

Yes I was interested in this, I thought that was not possible on MN
Lacedwithgrace · 04/01/2022 17:56

@AlfonsoTheGoat

Posts not post.
Maybe time to put the glass down. If you're an anti-vax, transphobic, racist loon, just say it x
Original poster
Beadebaser · 04/01/2022 17:57

I missed that! I’ll check…

OP posts:
GirlInACountrySong · 04/01/2022 17:58

the 'turning off posters option' is starting to feel a bit like 'MISINFORMATION" now

XenoBitch · 04/01/2022 17:58

@GirlInACountrySong

the 'turning off posters option' is starting to feel a bit like 'MISINFORMATION" now
You read my mind Grin
Original poster
Beadebaser · 04/01/2022 17:59

That was misinformation by me! It actually said I can turn off the thread or the Covid boards…

OP posts:
Original poster
Beadebaser · 04/01/2022 18:00

Oh god! I’ve fallen splat in my own puddle.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beadebaser · 04/01/2022 18:00

At least I’ve admitted it!

OP posts:
gogohm · 04/01/2022 18:01

There's lots though often is wrapped up as concerns about side effects or similar. There's also a shocking amount of posters who don't understand basic mathematics and statistics and post right wing anti vax incorrect information

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 18:02

@Beadebaser

That was misinformation by me! It actually said I can turn off the thread or the Covid boards…
Oh. Hide Thread and Hide topic. Although great functions because it makes all the misinformation disappear at least.
samyeagar · 04/01/2022 18:03

@BoredZelda

I can't tell you how many people have tried their hardest to convince me that my heart palpatations, that I had never had before in my life until a couple of weeks after I received my first vaccine dose and continue to this day, try to categorically deny that there could be any possible connection. I have literally been called "dangerous", "anti-vaxx", accused of spreading "misinformation" for even daring to suggest they are related. It all really has the same look as those who rabidly adhere to and defend their religion.

As is my alopecia, which started the week after my first vaccination.

Or the diagnosis of polycythemia after my second.

But, I have looked at the data available, realised that yellow card has a tiny number of reports of all of these and concluded it is far, far more likely that these are correlated, but have no causation.

I did x and then y happened is one of the most common bits of misinformation out there.

Correlation vs causation absolutely. Though there are plenty of people attributing their survival of their mild cases of covid to being vaccinated...who knows what it would have been had they not been vaccinated and all that. That is exactly the same thing, especially in the face of actual facts and data suggesting that most cases of all variants are either asymptomatic or mild.

So are they spreading misinformation by suggesting a causal relationship between them being vaccinated and only having a mild case? When actual data suggests they likely would have had a mild case regardless?

DancyNancy · 04/01/2022 18:06

I find mumsnet to be the opposite of what you see OP. It's extremely pro vaccine to the point that no one is allowed to be nervous about the vaccine/repeated vaccines without being called antivaxx, or deemed stupid or uneducated.
I would strongly oppose shutting down discussions. People are allowed to question things and discuss them.
There is a variety of opinions here and plenty of counter arguments for every argument......just as a discussion forum should be. I've yet to see a covid thread where there isn't a majority pro vaccine list of replies

Absii · 04/01/2022 18:07

All those in favor of censorship might feel happier living somewhere like the PRC.

I'd prefer to have open access to all and any kinds of information and opinion. I can decide for myself if it's credible or worthy.

Social media administrators shouldn't have to arbitrate what's correct or true and, in fact, shouldn't be allowed to.

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 18:08

I think we should have sub topics within the Coronavirus topic. Then people can be a bit more selective about the old cobblers they want to read about.

Staffy1 · 04/01/2022 18:10

I haven’t seen that much. I’ve seen what seem like reasonable concerns, for instance vaccine complications specifically in young teens, being shouted down.

stripeyflowers · 04/01/2022 18:10

@DancyNancy

I find mumsnet to be the opposite of what you see OP. It's extremely pro vaccine to the point that no one is allowed to be nervous about the vaccine/repeated vaccines without being called antivaxx, or deemed stupid or uneducated. I would strongly oppose shutting down discussions. People are allowed to question things and discuss them. There is a variety of opinions here and plenty of counter arguments for every argument......just as a discussion forum should be. I've yet to see a covid thread where there isn't a majority pro vaccine list of replies
this
RampantIvy · 04/01/2022 18:10

I'd prefer to have open access to all and any kinds of information and opinion. I can decide for myself if it's credible or worthy.

You might be capable of critical thinking, but it is clear from the many threads on this that many posters aren't, and are gullible enough to believe some of the nonsense spouted on some of these threads and on other social media platforms.

spotcheck · 04/01/2022 18:15

@riveted1

But it seems to all be clumped in together.
Well, in some threads- I guess it depends on the direction of the wind

stripeyflowers · 04/01/2022 18:16

@RampantIvy

I'd prefer to have open access to all and any kinds of information and opinion. I can decide for myself if it's credible or worthy.

You might be capable of critical thinking, but it is clear from the many threads on this that many posters aren't, and are gullible enough to believe some of the nonsense spouted on some of these threads and on other social media platforms.

People aren't allowed to belief what they want to believe if it does not meet some randomly agreed standard? When did thought crime come into effect?
stripeyflowers · 04/01/2022 18:17

*believe

containsnuts · 04/01/2022 18:21

What's the point of being on a discussion forum if you hide half the thread? You'll loose the context in which comments are made and instead of misinformation you'll get misunderstanding.

Blubells · 04/01/2022 18:22

I would strongly oppose shutting down discussions. People are allowed to question things and discuss them.
There is a variety of opinions here and plenty of counter arguments for every argument......just as a discussion forum should be.

Yes. I prefer to have the opportunity to discuss different opinions and views. Isn't that the whole point of a discussion board? Confused

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 18:22

@containsnuts

What's the point of being on a discussion forum if you hide half the thread? You'll loose the context in which comments are made and instead of misinformation you'll get misunderstanding.
You can't hide half a thread. It's all or nothing.
Blubells · 04/01/2022 18:22

I would strongly oppose shutting down discussions. People are allowed to question things and discuss them.
There is a variety of opinions here and plenty of counter arguments for every argument......just as a discussion forum should be.

This