How do we know people are who they say they are?

[pixiepixel3]

Not to acuse anyone particular, but a perrenial problem of the internet appears to be the anonymity of posting online. Given this is 'mumsnet', one would hope all posters are indeed female, genuine mums, and here for proper discussion on parenting/school etc. Cases where men openly come on as men/fathers is another point for debate but at least some are honest about it.

In practice I guess its not that simple. A similar discussion site to here I once tried basically appeared to be taken over by men posing as horny women, feeding fantasies about sex, creating stories not possible in real life, even paedophilia in some cases, and the site was reported to IWF and nearly shut down. Not to suggest that is happening on MN, but is there any way of telling people posting are really who they say they are?

for us users, no

don't get emotionally involved, don't give out personal details, don't send money or goods

develop a healthy scepticism

THIS SITE IS NOT JUST FOR MUMS.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

HTH.

Timmy Mallett

You're about to get hammered Chaos!

I am healthy sceptical of baldy for instance.

yeah yeah she puts on a good front but I have my suspicious

Michael Douglas

You just don't give more of yourself than you can afford to lose.

Or you befriend every single MNer, build a portfolio about them, invite yourself round and snoop through their bureau for hard evidence.

And nowt wrong with men or the childfree on MN.

I come here to listen to people like Reality talk about cock, cake and most of the Western World. It's living vicariously.

arf Slubbers

People lie on the internet

see what he did there OP?

Michael would never say arf but it's all a clever double-bluff.

Trust No One

Is it possible to have a link to the Fucky People List Thread?

So pixie - what's your favourite sex position and do you like threesomes?

Ashley Cole

Everyone should use their real name like what I do.

Off to start a new thread, AIBU to let my son bleach his hair since he was 11.

I come on here to chill and chat, you give and take as much as you want, you don't have to invest yourself to be here.

Mostly I come here to annoy chaos though

lord Lucan

why is everyone crossing out famous people?

Stop asking daft questions cowell stealth!

It's the internet. Anyone can wander through it, browsing as they go.

I have no problem with being identified by people I know on here - and I have been, at various points - and I'm absolutely open about my posting name (DP knows what it is, for instance); but at the same time, although I am very open about some things here there are plenty of others I just don't discuss.

And no, there is no way of knowing. Hence JudgeFlounce and other Mumsnet Legends.

Do you mean you think I'm not a small brown knitted bear...?

My name's Dave and I'm posting from a layby on the A1.

We don't have to be female
We don't have to be mums
We don't have to want to talk abou parenting/schools
We don't have to be parents, or even ant ot be parents

If someone starts a thread where they want you to tell them stories about your children or teens sexuality, then consider the possibility that they are not a concerned parent. But then again they could be!

Even if you think they are genuine, consider the fact that everything you write can be googled by people who are not.

If you have serious doubts abou a poster, then report them.

We have no idea which are the hairy-handed truckers - but yes you're right, there are probably a number greater than zero on here.

Oh and men are actually welcome!

"Given this is 'mumsnet', one would hope all posters are indeed female, genuine mums, and here for proper discussion on parenting/school etc."

Why?

"Cases where men openly come on as men/fathers is another point for debate but at least some are honest about it."

Honest about it? Is it a crime?

"but is there any way of telling people posting are really who they say they are?"

No.

RustyBear I always think of you as a big bear!