trolls - what can we do about them??

[StripyMouse]

More and more often innocent threads about interesting topics, often close to people?s heart and feelings, are hijacked by trolls on websites - and I am really worried that Mumsnet is following this worrying trend. Custy?s recent thread about her feelings towards her wonderful children is a case in point.
I am just wondering what, if anything, can be done about it? I realise it is pretty impossible to stop those one off posters who are just there to cause trouble - they just need ignoring. However, the ones who really really annoy me (and plenty of others I am sure) are the few regulars who have some kind of ongoing problem with individuals and deliberately change their name to have a go and upset others out of spite.

I am not asking here to name names as we all know who we suspect over the last few weeks - is it just me or do others feel this is a problem that is getting worse unchecked?

Tech - do you ever intervene and work out when a regular has changed their name on a contraversial thread to "hide" ? Do/should people get warnings and be asked not to post or risk being "publicly revealed"? I don?t know what the answer is, just wanted to share my frustration and annoyance at this nastiness. This is a site about shared experiences and mutual laughs and support - we don?t need anymore worry and concern as our chidlren can provide all of that for us by themselves!

me too,just ignore them no matter how nasty their comments are,they`ll soon get bored and go

how about putting them under a bridge and letting some goats trample them to death?

Agree that ignoring is the best way. I think its useful to be able to change your name in case you need to post something you feel embarrassed about - I have!! It doesn't necessarily have to be malicious.

Although I was rubbish at ignoring Aunt Bessie yesterday. Still I thought it was funny.

SamboM: that may be a little too harsh
Though we should not forget that in the story the goats do outwit the troll.

Goats of mumsnet unite against the trolls

yay!

Trouble is, when someone is being very very offensive, it is hard to ignore them. I responded to AuntBessie as I knew how much it would hurt Custy to read that. And to be honest, most of the Mumsnetters united on that one, so I don't think AuntBessie will dare to show her face again!
Also you have the problem of people using different email addresses to register as trolls too, how would you tackle those?

I do think that if anyone is caught by Tech being an offensive troll, they should be named and shamed. I think Tech can tell if someone is using two nicknames on one email address, but we would have to ask him to look for us. So if AuntBessie is a regular Mumsnetter just changing their name, Tech should be able to suss them straight away.

while zsa zsa etc bore the pants off me (and seems to have a real interest in my ironing!) BUt the whole point of the internet is that its virtual and we need to just ignore trolls. Last time zsa zsa popped up I just changed threads, for example.

ok - I guess what the majority of you are telling me is just to ignore them and they will go away...I know you are all saying the grown up thing, but have to say that not so many of you follow your own advice on this one and few can resist adding and adding to lengthy "troll-bitten threads"..,giving the troll more highlighted time on active topic list - glad to see that this is the case TBH as it shows how much we all stick together. Don?t know where that leaves us all on this sticky icky issue though. Oh well, I will shut up about it now - promise

I don't think voting off is good either, but then that wasn't what I was saying. I said if enough poeple complained about that person they would be stopped from posting for a set period, it would be up to carrie et al to decide when/if to implement it.

I only just read the 'auntiebessie' comments, after looking at this thread. How odd. What I do find odd is the way people think it is showing off to be proud of and pleased with your children, who, let's face it, aren't you, so how can it be showing off to say how great someone else is IYKWIM? I think we as a nation are too quick to criticise our children (particularly in front of them, something I hate) and too slow to sing their praises. BTW my son is the nicest person I know!
I think ignore the obvious trolls and report the perverts (ie those with an interest in paedophile bondage) to contact us ASAP to get the thread deleted.

I think we should whack them with bricks.

willow!

lol willow

nice to see you have come back from your holiday so relaxed and full of the milk of human kindness, willow!

I think tech has a life other than mumsnet so any suggestions about technical wizzardry to pinpoint newcomers, namechangers etc isn't really feasible!

I really appreciate the facility to change names on mumsnet and have used it myself when I have had things to say that could well gbet me identified by people who know me who I have directed to the site

What about the first person to notice posts something really mean (or not so mean, but says something) and asks them to stop also. Then everyone wishes they were first, but no one posts anymore. Unless it's a debatey type thing where the second post (from the troll/instigator/what have you) can let someone start a new thread and then direct the conversation there. And then no one says anything, although everyone secretly wishes they were the first to notice the trolly (ooh, that doesn't work, does it? troll-y as in troll-like) post. Everyone's happy then?

Kind of a ladies' agreement type of thing. Plus, anyone new who defended someone would be seen as a "good guy" and could be sent a little email (thanks to the new feature) including her in the agreement and acknowledging her wonderful taste in defending someone so beloved. No judgment, of course (to the defender, I mean!).. except the obvious "she has taste" sort of thing.

Otherwise... Brick is good. And I'm all for aloha judging the sickos. As she says, just stop and email mumsnet. (Thanks for noticing.. really, I wouldn't have got it.) For non-sickos, I think we should bicker amongst ourselves. That's not to say I think we should be nice...

JJ, just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying your linky smileys

My first words to my husband after your post on whatever thread it was were "Yeah, I don't think you can ever meet her. She changed her name and all [editor's note, because I think of you as someone else and then get that confused. No one should be allowed to change their names ever. Except that I understand why-- it's just hard for all of us easily confused people] and plus, you'd like her." Love the Onion . Was my first thought, but for some reason changed it. (Oh no, it was more relevant, thankyouverymuch.) Actually, I read a post I made a couple of days ago and was shocked. Sheesh. Must not drink and post. From now. Really.

But, you agree with me, right? Sorry that this is irrelevant..

Me too jj ... me too

It's a good thing, admittedly. But you agree with me right? It's a good plan? All it takes is everyone doing it....

Damn smilies. I'm not sure why anyone smiles. Uses more muscles, y'know. And there's all that slashing.

jj... are you just a teeny bit pissed???

Me? No. I'm not angry (ie "pissed off" in American) but by god there's no more gin! Where is the gin? There must be more gin. Oh, just checked.. there's no more gin.

Anyway, flying out to London tomorrow with the boys. Staying two nights and one day (eldest is insanely excited as am I) and then flying on to .. I would say "home", but it's not... anyway, flying on to Atlanta and then a two hour car trip into the bowels of rural Alabama. (Not so bad because I love it, but y'know... )

So, pissed, me? Yes. My last chance for a while. I get to sleep in tomorrow (the flight is at 17.00). What? What? You have something to say??

Plus, I am so right with respect to trolls. It's a good idea! C'mon.

Completely agree about being too quick to critise kids aloha.

My vote is also for just ignoring - don't even bloody acknowledhe them - they'll get the message quick enough.

Have fun in 'Sweet Home Alabama' JJ ...