Can I make a bit of a plea to those of you who enjoy posting upsetting stories?

[hunkermunker]

Can you please NOT put the subject of the shocking tale in the title?

Can you just put "An upsetting news story concerning children" or something similar?

Because I'm all for asking MN Towers to have a "Without In The News" button because I hate hate hate hearing about the terrible things that people do to babies and children and I don't want to see thread titles like that.

If that makes me blinkered, etc, then so be it.

Also, why do people feel the need to post links to stuff like this when it's just for people to go "oh how sad" to? I can understand if it's a policy thing, or there's a campaign that needs to be undertaken - but just for people to feel sad? Why?

Why is it insensitive just because you don't agree with it?

Out of interest, do all of you complaining go round with eyes closed when you approach newstands?

Or cover your children's eyes when you approach newstands? I just don't get what the fuss is all about.

well for someone who isnt fussed, you are being pretty 'forthright' in your vote 'against' the OP.

Personally, I'm perfectly capable of not clicking on a title that says "Dreadful thing happens to child" or similar. It's pretty hard to choose not to read a horrific title.

Seriously, we've had people asking people to not put swear words (or other information that people don't want shared with their kids) in thread titles, is it that big a deal to ask people to not put the details of horrific news stories in it? Just see it as a teaser for those who want to know these things.

agree with op, yet again

Think we need to remember who uses Mnet - the depressed, the bereaved, those with anxiety...it's not the same as watching the news or a new website.

I hear ya but I don't agree with censorship. There are plenty of thread titles (with swearing in for instance) that don't particularly thrill me but hey, that's life!

(But I do agree when the only response can be '' there's not much point)

haven't seen the 'current' thread btw

I dont know how people could explain some of them though

Right, but these stories aren't news. They're random reports of people doing very stupid things.

I really would be shocked if people read the current story and say, "ah, maybe I won't leave my baby by the side of the m25 then".

I don't know which particular thread is referring to and have no intention of trying to find it, but I get really uncomfortable with people treating other people's lives like some kind of soap opera.

Soap opera is right, sunnydelight. I think hunkermunker's suggestion of being able to omit the In the News topic is a great one. I am in a place right now where mentally I simply cannot cope with some of these stories. I have a choice between only looking at certain topics and abvoiding active convos or getting very distressed.

I agree that it would be very helpful to post such items with a generic title as per hunker's suggestion to avoid causing unwitting distress

However I think there is an unpleasant, judgemental undertone in some of the posts on this thread accusing those who do post on these issues or discuss them of having very base motives.

I agree with Zippi who wrote: "but i think people who don't see anyone alld ay have a human need to share and talk about things just like you might talk in rl" - it could be that Mumsnetter may have seen one of these news stories in the paper or on the news, and distressed by it feels the need to offload. Perfectly human response.

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sooooooooooooo
agree

in fact i started a thread like this a couple of years ago

There is also the arguement that by talking about things that scare us and disturb us we make them less scary and disturbing (or we are more able to handle the scaryness of them).

also agree with cappy

whats IS hte flipping point

I agree with you Pruni

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I am all in favour of people posting stuff with their own opinion or thoughts on topical issues, using news stories as a starting point, even if they are things that irritate/horrify me such as 'don't you think this murder proves we need a death penalty?'It's what someone described as the package of horrific headline, link to ghastly story and little sad face that seems quite pointless.

i agree with pruni socci and hmc

OI hmc have mailed oyu BUT have you been back to ROBERTS? a redecoration is imminent

Goodness - please don't tell me which one it was! Sounds awful

Got your mail Codmeister. They can't redecorate it! - I've got used to it as it is