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Original poster

Troll Hunting

151 replies

IthoughtATMwasacashpoint · 03/10/2015 10:11

Another thread lost through thoughtless, unresearched, troll hunting.

Is it possible for MNHQ to start handing out bans for this?

It's not difficult to follow the rules, if in doubt report. Search the user name, then report if you still have doubts.

It's neither funny nor clever to drive upset and vulnerable people off their threads and away from the support and advice they sought by posting in the first place.

OP posts:
Mattberryistoast · 03/10/2015 15:20

I make no apologies for any of the posts I made on that thread yesterday. I reported it. THREE TIMES. As did all the people who PM'd me. Yet still it stood, becoming more and more ridiculous and sock puppetry as it went.

In the end I reported my own post calling Troll. I got the benign MN bollocking, telling me I was "keeping them busy" deleting my posts. Well boo hoo. Maybe some of that time could have been spent more productively.

I'd like to think by the end there wasn't a single (genuine) person who was being hurt, and if any of my posts stopped someone from "giving too much of themselves" well great. I've been a member here for years, I've been on threads that made me cry laughing, and I've posted hundreds and hundreds of times under my previous user names. But these days, this place is a joyless, insecure, "sponsored by" business. Which is completely fine. Maybe my cohort have, like me, now got older children and have moved on. I accept that this is now my time too.

As someone up thread said, it's a bit rich when trolls are held in greater esteem than people who genuinely care about others.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 15:20

If I felt I would need to namechange to start a thread that would immediately tell me I should not start the thread. It's a good mechanism for not oversharing or revealing things.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 03/10/2015 15:21

I think I agree Sparkling So MN should delete potential troll threads much faster, and not faff around so much "finding out if the OP is genuine" and then forgetting entirely about the thread

bialystockandbloom · 03/10/2015 15:23

I agree with samcro and mrsdv etc, trolls need to be sorted. I don't actually see why calling troll is somehow seen as worse than the trolling itself.

Also MN can't necessarily tell just from someone's paying history - trolls aren't always just recognisable because it's their first post. Many trolls have finally - and belatedly - been banned after many, many posts, sometimes years of posting history.

I reported someone a while ago who I thought (still think) isn't what they claim. Posting history shows so many inconsistencies and bullshit. Don't think MN had time or maybe cba to read back thoroughly so the poster is still around. No real harm done yet as no massive controversy such as relationships/bereavement stuff but unless I'm really crazy (which I'm not) their story is 2+2=5. No easy way for MN to verify just from their IP address though. Difficult.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 15:23

I do think the amount of trolling goes up late at night and at weekends which is probably when there are fewer staff available at MNHQ to deal with the reports.

BeatriceAndHero · 03/10/2015 15:24

On the other hand, it's an immensely useful resource, Sparkling and I for one don't underestimate what Mumsnet has done for me.

I have learned about politics, about feminism, about relationships and how to put mascara on :) Through Munsnet, I can change a fuse in my plugs, brush a toddlers teeth and recognise that Coronation Street has gone downhill.

I recognise Mumsnets 'faults' as it were and I know to take everything with a pinch of salt (including the stuff posted by genuine and regular posters) but on the whole, it's a great place.

Troll hunting brings it down. It's bitchy and snide and to be honest - pointless - gives the troll exactly what they want. I knew a troll (on another forum) - deeply damaged and disturbed woman - would have lapped up troll hunting.

I would like to see stricter rules about both but undoubtedly I feel troll hunting is more disruptive, certainly, in its way.

GriefLeavesItsMark · 03/10/2015 15:25

Hi Matt, I saw the kicking you got yesterday, and thought it was unjustified.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 15:27

I don't dispute that it's useful and at some times educational Beatrice, but it's not essential, just nice to have. Sometimes. Grin

Mattberryistoast · 03/10/2015 15:27

Thank you Grief. I had my big girl pants on though. I've seen off worse ??

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 03/10/2015 15:27

I agree with samcro and mrsdv etc, trolls need to be sorted. I don't actually see why calling troll is somehow seen as worse than the trolling itself.

It's.not worse, but at the moment trolls do get dealt with eventually but there is no penalty for troll hunting other than your post being deleted, so people do it on threads all.the.time and it really messes up threads, and is also detrimental to any sort of community feeling.

IPityThePontipines · 03/10/2015 15:28

MN needs better moderation.

That is it.

If the site were better moderated, reports would be dealt with more quickly, dodgy threads and posters zapped and there would be less troll-hunting as a result.

MN has grown hugely, so is bound to need increased monitoring, but has not seemed to have sufficiently invested in this.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 15:30

I tend to agree with that IPity. Some of the reason that MN is attractive to trolls is the lack of direct moderation I would imagine.

BeatriceAndHero · 03/10/2015 15:30

I'd agree with that, ItsFine

AnyFucker · 03/10/2015 15:30

MN prides itself on being a largely "self moderating" site

Yet people cannot point out inconsistences nor throw doubt when a story sounds like complete bullshit without being accused of "being worse than the trolls".

Okey-dokey Hmm

Mattberryistoast · 03/10/2015 15:31

at community feeling these days. And it ain't because I called bullshit on some lies posts. Hmm

MrsDeVere · 03/10/2015 15:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeatriceAndHero · 03/10/2015 15:35

When people shout 'troll', the result tends to be that either the thread disintegrates into 'funny' comments from one poster to another (very difficult for the OP to manage if genuine) or arguments between the OP/supporters as to whether she is a troll or not.

AnyFucker, have you ever known someone to say 'this is a troll' and the thread to die quietly?

It doesn't. It goes on and on and on - if the OP is a troll, they love it - if not, it's deeply distressing and I speak from experience!

It is worse than trolling because it upsets genuine posters whilst giving the trolls exactly what they want. And, it's very disruptive.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 03/10/2015 15:36

I think self-moderating means that we monitor threads and report dodgy stuff to MN for them delete instead of them watching all the threads.

Rather than MN vigilantes piling in on threads and causing bunfights.

Perhaps MN should look at introducing a "Day Watch" as well as the Night Watch. As a PP said, there is no way MN has sufficient staff to moderate MN in any really meaningful way.

AnyFucker · 03/10/2015 15:38

AnyFucker, have you ever known someone to say 'this is a troll' and the thread to die quietly?

Yep, I have known loads of bullshitting trolls to slink off quietly when they get called. There is a thread in chat right now where that has happened. Others may stay and argue the toss but that is their choice, of course.

AloraRyger · 03/10/2015 15:38

There is no way on this good green earth that posting that someone is a troll is worse than someone pretending they've had a child die for shits and giggles. It just isn't and you will never, ever convince me otherwise. Having relived the moment my child died repeatedly whilst supporting someone on another site only to have them steal her name and troll that same site with it, please do not tell me that calling troll is worse than that.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 03/10/2015 15:41

Yep, I have known loads of bullshitting trolls to slink off quietly when they get called.

But do all of the other posters slink off quietly, or do they stay and carry on the trolls good work?

There is no way on this good green earth that posting that someone is a troll is worse than someone pretending they've had a child die for shits and giggles

No-one is saying that. Trolling is bad for all.sorts if reasons and trolls need.to be quickly stopped and banned. Everyone agrees on that.

However, as an entirely separate issue troll hunting on threads can be very disruptive and also a bad thing for all sorts of reasons. Some people disagree with this.

BeatriceAndHero · 03/10/2015 15:42

I'm sorry for your loss Flowers

I believe troll hunting is more disruptive and detrimental to the site as a whole, which isn't the same as 'worst.' There are some very damaged individuals out there, unfortunately.

AnyFucker; I'm pleased this does sometimes happen but unfortunately many more do turn into huge fights - giving the troll the action, the drama and the focus they desire.

Mattberryistoast · 03/10/2015 15:43

I reported.

Three times.

I reported my own post.

I had PM's from posters who were as frustrated as I was.

I am not a vigilante.

I am someone who, if I saw your child being bullied, would intervene, and give my seat up to your granny on the bus. I am not in this for the laughs, nor do I derive any satisfaction from any of this.

I'm strong and not easily intimated. Not everyone is like that. Which is why people look out for each other.

So I'm sorry if my interventions spoiled anyone's "enjoyment" Hmm of the thread.

usual · 03/10/2015 15:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeatriceAndHero · 03/10/2015 15:46

I didn't see the thread you are referring to Matt I'm afraid, so I won't comment on that.

In general, I will repeat - if it is a troll, the resulting fallout and arguments will fill them with joy. Shouting 'troll' on a thread really is like solving obesity with cakes. It gives them what they want - a chance to play the victim, get indignant, have their ego stroked by others defending them.

If they aren't a troll - and lots of mistakes are made - it's just bloody awful to be on the receiving end of.