Bullying

[FoofFighter]

Does Mumsnet have a clear anti-bullying policy? Where is it, what is it?

I've looked on guidelines but apart from stating no personal attacks there really isn't much.

I do worry about this bullying thing. This is an anonymous internet forum- it does seem to me that it's possible to silence debate by saying that disagreement is bullying.

Yes it is sometimes a very fine line to call isn't it.

I presume it's covered under the umbrella term of "personal attack". If you see it, report it.

There is a fine line though. E.g. If a particular poster is consistently being an arse and gets called on it, I wouldn't necessarily consider that bullying, but the site self regulating IYSWIM.

And generally speaking I think posts shouldn't be deleted. I think anything which reveals a poster's true colours should remain.

I think you're right, it really is such a fine line.

We all know it goes on but we also know there are plenty who shout bully to silence anyone calling them on being an absolute arse!

The obvious stuff isn't really a problem in my eyes because it's exactly that, obvious. It's the subtle stuff that's much much worse.

The thinly veiled sarcasm, the PM's, posters calling on their "mates" to join in, ignoring certain posters because they had the temerity to disagree with their "mate" 3 blue moons ago. That kind of crap!

Sadly I don't see how anything can be done about it, it's a sad fact of life.

Hi there, we don't tolerate bullying, please do report any posts/posters who you believe are bullying. Like you say, it is a fine line and we have to be really sure before we go deleting (unless it's an obvious PA), so it really does help if you report the bullying posts and so can build the picture.

I really feel that MNHQ should consider having a clear anti-bullying policy in place.

I have indeed reported a thread already KatMumsnet.

TSC I think you know the answer to that one although it's not limited to that one thread or that one OP/repliers.

**ETA reported a thread this morning and had no reply from MNHQ. (sorry got sidetracked by American Dad and missed that bit out) so what's the point if it's being reported but not looked at?

But how do you define bullying?

Foof I think I know which thread you are on about, I was reading it but didn't post.

I have said it in the past when similar situations have arisen, I don't think you can expect people to respond to all threads in isolation. I don't consider it bullying to respond to an OP taking a backstory into account.

I think it is a very rare thing on MN - I have only seen what I would call real bullying once, and that was years ago by a few 'much loved' old timers.

I think what one person sees as strong opinion, another may interpret as bullying. It's a very difficult subject in that respect.

But OP is just asking for a policy as such, so that's fair enough.

Tim your new name makes me laugh

Gawd I'm dull when I'm being serious. Sorry.

frozen broccoli woman?

Boffy is pished again

Oh come on, how did you miss that one? You know, I feed my children frozen broccoli because we are so poor but you are saying I'm starving them and should be reported to SS, aren't you? etc., about forty times on one thread, when nobody had said anything of the sort. I've forgotten her name now.

Nah, missed it. Prolly on AIBU, you know I get dithery in AIBU I just fanny about on Chat & S&B.