Why Can't We Have An 'Ignore' Button?

[CKDexterHaven]

Mumsnet is a constant target for trolls and anti-social men's rights types who constantly derail threads, constantly rehash old tired arguments and sometimes post downright offensive comments. Wouldn't it be easier for women to get together and talk in the way they want to talk and keep threads on-topic if there was an 'ignore' button as there is on other sites.

If you are unfamiliar with this it is a button which allows individual users to block the posts of posters they feel to be trolls, deliberately offensive or derailers. It does not prevent people who wish to see these posts from seeing them. There are people out there who really hate that women get to talk to one another and it would be great to just skip over them.

Other forums have this, why can't we?

Posters that name change all the time-that would be the problem.

Not if it blocked posters by IP address.

Is that even possible? I think determined trolls can get round the IP address thing? Might be wrong though.

It would be nice in theory, the trouble is that as you say, threads get derailed by these annoying posters, so if you ignore one, the rest of the thread wouldn't make a lot of sense, as you still end up reading the derailment! Bit like when someone's posts get deleted en masse, you end up playing detective and eventually figuring out what was said.

I have said this many time but I have hidden AIBU as a complete topic and have hardly seen a troll, it really is a massive improvement.

Know what you mean, Sparklingbrook. I hid the FWR board for ages for the same reason.

I think I have more hidden than not Gilbert. I try and stay in the lighthearted bits, The Litter Tray and a bit of a look in Teenagers.

I haven't hidden Education yet as I have school age DC but even those topics can get a bit .

I agree that name-changing is an issue but it only takes a second to reblock someone. On another forum I have people on 'ignore' but they have no way of telling this, other people don't have them on 'ignore' so they don't name-change and I don't have to see their comments.

My hope for the FWR threads would be that people get savvy to the trolls pretty quickly and block en-masse, instead of engaging them in argument, and thereby the thread would still be easy to follow. It's a bit annoying when you have ignored someone and other people, who clearly feel the same way as you, spend time arguing with them instead of keeping the thread on topic.

"If you are unfamiliar with this"

You really think MNHQ have ignored all the other threads about it?

It's a much discussed and very definite decision that MN does not have this feature.

I think a few rules and regulations re name changing would improve the site no end.

Oh we're all familiar with this idea being put forward

very very very very familiar

My hope for the FWR threads would be that people get savvy to the trolls pretty quickly and block en-masse, instead of engaging them in argument, and thereby the thread would still be easy to follow.

If they're the type to want to engage in an argument with a troll, they're hardly likely to block them really?

Some people love trolls and love having arguments with them unfortunately.

The trouble is we can all be Goady Fuckers sometimes on some topics and we can be sweet and helpful on others (I hope).

Trolls just name change and hack the system.

Well, ignoring trolls is the best way of choking them off (for lack of reaction starves them of their purpose).

But for that to work, everyone would have to buy in to the idea, and I think that's unworkable. Though I have seen it happen (briefly) from time to time, usually after a 'what to do about trolls' thread. But it never seems to stick (pity).

The trouble is we can all be Goady Fuckers sometimes

I like to think I am the same on every topic and not a GF on any TBH.

But it's awfully easy to be misunderstood, and if one person does so lots can swarm around.

One post expressing mild antipathy to something can rapidly snowball into assumptions of rabid outrage (irrespective of previous posting history which shows that you're usually perfectly normal).

Do you think Mumsnet HQ wants the trolls and derailers because of the extra traffic? I would think they cause more people to get fed up with the site.

I'd like this feature. Just for the trolls and less than genuine posters

Excellent idea!!

Do you think Mumsnet HQ wants the trolls and derailers because of the extra traffic? I would think they cause more people to get fed up with the site.

No I don't think they want them

But one person's 'derailer' is often another person's idea of someone giving a totally different point of view.

As for the trolls, we're all encouraged to report them anyway. Although imo there's often very little point, as some posts are still being left to stand for hours on end.

I think a hide poster button would cause derailment on many threads, because they wouldn't make sense to people who have hidden those making quite a large contribution to it. Therefore, much of the threads are likely to be taken up with other posters having to explain what the hidden posters have said.

What a headache that would be for everyone.

If the thread is full of trolls and GFs just hide it and move on.

i have just hit the ignore button on this thread as this whole topic is SO OLD>

mumsnet is NOT obligatory!