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?

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

Er, I would hope not.

BORING

We don't know people are who they say they are. So be careful. Don't invest more time or emotions or money than you are prepared to give away

Oh no, Stealth, I'm tiny! See photo for scale

& I'm one of the undead.

In a stripy jumper.

im a massive poo... my NN describes me perfectly im a big, loud and annoying PITA!

i first thought allMNers were mums but quickly realised there was a lot more going on here than just mumming, there are ttcers ppl who are maybe someday gonna have kids not everyone is looking for mommy guidance there is so much more to do here than just mum. sometimes we need a break from mumming!

also, i have no problems with the dads of mumsnet in fact ive noticed some are missing lately ...

louis walsh is out of here

I'm actually an Avon-lady from Milton Keynes.

I just hide behind a rather nobbish single-dad persona.

Who wants to talk about children? Blithering awards day today for preschoolers. It was like herding cats fgs. It's bad enough living the nightmare.

Maybe if you're worried about it, you should just assume that everybody's an obese man named Malcolm, living in his Mum's boxroom and hoping we'll post pictures of our tits. That way anything outside of this is a nice surprise.

Reality.

Well, someone who was recently banned from the site for stirrring up trouble was a woman, a mother and a long time poster.

So even if you do know who they are, that is not much of a guarantee anyway.

Perhaps we are all wankers

"also I can see me in the reflection of my screen."

I can't see my reflection. Does that mean I'm not me?

No, it means you're a vampire, empusa....

I can't see the reflection of me in the screen because the background is white, but if someone else is posting then they are doing a good job of moving my fingers on the keys.

I am OriginalPoster

I can prove it, unlike all those other folk who keep starting threads...

Obviously I am a fictional male space cowboy mum... but yes- we must assume the best of people regardless, and post helpfully wherever possible- it is one of MN's greatest strengths that most of the time we do not jump to conclusions and attempt to help people in all manner of situations. I think it is slightly more difficult now there are so many posters, as it is harder to keep a track on those you know, particularly with all the namechanging [guilty]