Username Policing....

[IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou]

Hi MNHQ,

Given the hoo-haa about a username that's being discussed in This Thread what are the thoughts on introducing consistent, across the board guidelines for usernames?

Not everyone wants offensive names all over their screen, the definition of "offensive" in the first place would be a useful point, but what's the general MNHQ view?

Ta!!

More to the point toasted how rude are you to ask my age?!?

Iirc AF got the same polite message as the poster in the thread above. She then started her own "I've got an email" thread where many people turned out in general support of her right to use a swear word so AF stayed AF and politely replied to hq. This poster did the same but was largely told "yes we agree with hq" so has changed her name. Tbh it seems like the system works quite well.

I don't think AGF's name was exactly offensive, but I do think it could have been triggering for really quite a large number of people. Anyway, as she has since realised that it was upsetting for more posters, and not just MNHQ being officious, she has changed it to much better name, because she wasn't being a GF at all, just trying to bring her passion into the open.

I don't find AF's name offensive or triggering in any way. Nor the general sweariness. And my favourite name ever was Bupcakesandcunting.

I think it's past somebody's bed time Want 2 BS. (Age question was a, 'grow up' remark rather than a genuine question.)

So AF got to keep her screen name. She basically got it past MNHQ. Interesting.

The amount of support AF got on her thread, and the number of other posters who changed their name to include the word "fucker" in protest, rather sorted it for her, Toasted. MNHQ had to accept that.

If you're offended by AnyFucker's username, you should probably leave MN. You're probably going to find the contents of most posts offensive

What, on the Pets, DIY, Local Buying & Selling threads?

My point was consistency - as usual there isn't any.

there is a difference in context though between AF's username which contains language which, while some people might not use in their own general day to day lives is still fairly commonly used, and AGF's username which which is incredibly emotive and often divides opinion because it's not just a word iyswim.

It wasn't mn hq who made the decision, given they asked both to consider changing it wasn't a demand, they had the power to suspend accounts until usernames were changed after all but they didn't do that. Both posters put it out to public opinion, one name was considered offensive, the other wasn't. it's not that hard to grasp.

And fwiw there will always be people who uphold someone's right to freedom of speech. I used to moderate a different website, and we had a user join called 'complicatedNigga.' . Anyway, as moderator I immediately suspended his account and sent him an email saying that racist nicknames were absolutely not permitted and that he needed to give me a different username so I could reinstate his account with the new username.... A very heated discussion insued on the website about the individual's right to freedom of speech and how dare we moderate his right to use the n word in his username. After all, plenty of black people use it to one another so to ban it was wrong....

It doesn't matter how offensive something is, there would always be people prepared to defend it....

I don't like swearing in thread titles or user names. I find it distasteful. I tend to hide threads and ignore user names. No, I don't need to go and post somewhere else.

The username in the thread linked to at the start of this falls under the "beyond the pale" description I think. It is hurtful to many.

As others have said if a user name is reported to us, we will have a look at each one in turn and apply the general Talk guidelines.
Swearing is fine but we draw the line at user names that are beyond the pale or goady.

It doesn't happen all that often to be honest and we hope by sending a mail and drawing the individual's attention to the complaints, they will change the name.

We don't think we should auto block words that may cause offence, we are all for free speech but we ask that everyone try and be mindful of others, particularly their views on sensitive issues.

We hope that helps to clarify.

Cheers MNHQ!

What, on the Pets, DIY, Local Buying & Selling threads?

People don't swear on Pets?

My cat certainly makes me feel like swearing sometimes.

MNHQ are consistent. It goes on reports.

I had to change my name from TwatFaceBitch because a few people reported it

I can't remember how anyfucker became thus, there is a fairly innocuous backstory, can't remember though.............

In all honesty i sometimes don't even register the user names when im reading a thread. I am more concerned with what they are saying

oh Ive just read that other thread - that is a fucking vile username and i am stunned if that has been allowed to stand! horrible. Anyfuckers name doesn't come anywhere close to offensive but that should go

I wasn't offended by the original name, but the poster listened to other opinions and name changed: a good decision, but more because the 1st name was confusing, really.

I'm very wary about banning names or posts which aren't hate speech.
While banning deliberate GFs, we must allow controversial views and not be a fluffy bunny site. We need to debate difficult topics without looking over our shoulders at MNHQ.
Adults can hide a few threads; 10,000 others to read.

Hell, I despise UKIP and all they stand for, but I'd defend the rights of that kipper with thread diarrhoea and single-digit IQ to keep posting.