How do you stop a troll?

[breeze]

Reading mumsnet this morning, I have noticed a thread that made me feel a little uneasy. Didn't seem right to me, but didn't want to post on it incase it is genuine. What brought it to my attention is that I have never seen this name before and did a search and the name has only appeared on this thread. When I started mumsnet I sort of eased myself in gently, not straight on to the "harder" topics. I think the mumsnet is great and people take the time to write out posts and think it is quite sad that some people feel the need to get off on this sort of thing, surely they could go to other sites for that sort of thing. In case this is genuine I do apologise now, but if not I am sure the troll police on here will notice it as is seems to stand out like a sore thumb.

Actually mean't to put, How do you spot a troll.

message withdrawn

Breeze that thread bothered me too ... I answered first as it was first posted in the middle of your night ... I read it and thought ... oh, this person can't be genuine ... pretty horrible topic to post about etc ... but then I thought ... what if she is? And really needs help?
I answered and I hope, if she is genuine she will come back to post some more ... I would hate to think that people who are genuinely struggling with something are put off because others think they are being 'trolls' ... but then again it does annoy me that there are some people out there who think it is funny to post on such things ...
Difficult one ... no answers ... just a perplexed frown on my forehead!

I agree, and we do need to get some more expressions thingy's from tech,

Which thread, Am I thick? (don't answer) Any clues?? Is it currently on the go or one from a couple of weeks back??

Look under behaviour

Found it!

Yes, it is definitely a troll. And a sick one at that.

The latest thread reminds me of 'Sonnnia' who posted recently and was then removed. Maybe the Mumsnet team should be alerted so they can investigate?

But what if she is genuine??? What then???? This is really actually bugging me ... if she is a troll then that's one thing ... but what if she is genuine ...

Bit suspect that she/he only posted once, I do not know about anyone else but when I first posted I put that I am new to this and asked a simple question (I think).

Got to agree with Breeze here. It's just too sordid.
Ghosty - don't let it bother you. I really don't think it's genuine.

...... BUT..... if it is then TECH will have their details and should send the police round!

Yeah ... breeze ... I have just re read and re read it ... still with perplexed frown ... and I do think it is all a bit odd ...
I wish she would come back and explain ... if she is real that is ...
It really upsets me as it just makes me sick that people get kicks out of even talking about doing horrible things to children .......

TECH - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE INTERVENE AND REMOVE THAT THREAD.

It's actually making me feel sick and I didn't read the whole posting.

Agree with you ghosty, pretty sick, try not to let it bother you as this pervo's would enjoy that as well.

I've just contacted 'contact us' - that's the best way, I think.

Thanks Aloha.

We've deleted the thread.
Regards,
Tech

Sorry Ladies I got cross on that thread, its just being so pregnant and hormonal I had red mist. Didn't mean to encourage troll to stay by doing so.

Thanks Tech, you're a star.

Phew ... thanks tech ...

It really angers me that sickos like that can invade the space of people who need advice on legitimate matters. Is it the kick of knowing they'll get a reaction? Its a shame posts can't be screened before going out. I suppose it would be hard to really decide what is a real post or fake.

What if you something you could click on to remove a thread and if a certain number of members clicked it, then it would get removed. Then no threads would get deleted maliciously or by accident but if there was a really horrible thread, it could be got rid of quickly without bothering tech. Then if it really was genuine and not a troll, the person who wrote it could just write another one saying that they really did need genuine help.

Tech - how about asking potential mumsnetters to register with their home addresses? We do this on Netmums, and if someone joins without giving us an address, we send a polite email explaining our reasons why we need this security from them. If they still refuse, we delete their registration and they can no longer have access to the site.
I think that a system such as this should be in place with all parenting sites as they are such an easy target. Is this something the Mumsnet team would consider doing?

but surely someone could just give a false address and you'd be no better off. sorry not to have any better suggestions but I think geniune mumsnetters are pretty quick to spot a false thread and make sure it gets brought to the attention of tech.