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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:
Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 16:52

Like a troll hunting sin bin? How long is the suspension for?

BeatriceAndHero · 03/10/2015 16:53

I don't have a problem with that AnyFucker and wouldn't call that's disruptive. It's the ones outlined by ItsAllGoingToBeFine that I have an issue with.

There was a pretty unpleasant series of posts on a recent thread in AIBU on a very innocuous sort of thread which really dragged the tone of the whole thread down, for instance.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 03/10/2015 16:54

I guess that could be a MN judgement call a few hours to cool off? A couple of days for repeat offenders.

JamesBob · 03/10/2015 16:57

*Sparklingbrook Sat 03-Oct-15 15:20:50

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.*

It is marvellous probably to be in a position where you have other resources. I always hesitate to post something personal or that I think will be mocked/questioned as to its veracity/etc.

Occasionally though the risk is worth it, or seems so initially. Sometimes this is the only place people can think of to ask something. Sometimes they are just particularly lonely, and don't have anyone else to ask.

It's sad but it's the case and on a thread where this is taking place there are often people who are willing to offer their time and wisdom or just company.

I don't understand when people seem so very assured that a certain thread is not genuine. I can never be certain. Sometimes I feel fairly sure but would not come on here and say 'yeah that one's definitely made up' because I have been wrong about that in the past.

I think it's a bit arrogant to do that unless it's already been confirmed to be false. As I said, I've seen it happen a lot, on threads I knew to be utterly genuine, a few of which were mine. Unlikely, perhaps, and frustrating, but genuine.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 16:59

What would happen if a troll hunter was in the sin bin for troll hunting crimes on a thread that ultimately turned out to be deleted as it was a troll? 1-0 to the troll?

JamesBob · 03/10/2015 17:00

I should rephrase that; I have seen it happen a few times on threads I knew to be genuine. (my own - I wouldn't know if others were genuine or not, naturally)

and I have seen it happen a lot on threads that may or may not be genuine, but that have not been confirmed not to be.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 17:02

James I don't always have other resources TBH, sometimes I just keep it to myself and not share it with the internet or anyone in RL. So not marvellous at all sometimes.

If MN didn't exist people could always find another site though, it's not the only place on the internet for support or advice.

emotionsecho · 03/10/2015 17:02

My point ItsAll is that MNHQ's failure to deal with trolls and troll threads quickly is a distinct causal factor.

In my opinion the poster on the thread I referred to did exactly the right thing by posting as she did on the thread because it had an immediate effect, the thread 'died', the troll trolled off, vulnerable and kind posters were not taken advantage of, the evidence posted was overwhelming and left no room for doubt.

MNHQ are determinedly not listening to suggestions nor addressing the issues regarding the speed at which they deal with reports, merely trotting out the line 'Report don't troll hunt'.

usual · 03/10/2015 17:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JamesBob · 03/10/2015 17:04

I don't understand why people should post genuinely asking for support here. And have the right not to be accused of trolling.

Why would someone use a different internet site? Why can't they ask here?

Why would another site be preferable?

JamesBob · 03/10/2015 17:05

Sorry, should NOT post genuinely etc

usual · 03/10/2015 17:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JamesBob · 03/10/2015 17:06

Perhaps MNHQ needs more staff.

JamesBob · 03/10/2015 17:07

what's PBP btw?

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 17:08

Previously Banned Posters. Of which there are many. Or just the same on again and again. v tedious.

BeatriceAndHero · 03/10/2015 17:08

I do disagree with that, Sparkling, I'm afraid.

When my life went into free fall, Mumsnet meant I was never really alone.

Coconutty · 03/10/2015 17:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 17:12

But there are other site and forums and when MN was down for hours/days people just got on with it Beatrice. It's probably best not to rely a particular website for support.
People survived prior to MN somehow.

It's great that you felt supported in your time of need.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 03/10/2015 17:13

What would happen if a troll hunter was in the sin bin for troll hunting crimes on a thread that ultimately turned out to be deleted as it was a troll? 1-0 to the troll?

No, because troll-hunting causes damage whether or not the OP was genuine.

Meanwhile the PBP trolls just keep on trolling...

The problem is, as this thread shows it is very hard to 100% ID a troll. And there is no way MN can identify a moderately intelligent PBP

My point ItsAll is that MNHQ's failure to deal with trolls and troll threads quickly is a distinct causal factor.

I can agree with this, and have some sympathy. The problem is ytou either have to say expl!ICT troll hunting is wrong or it isn't, if you start getting into individual cases it becomes as hard to police as trolling itself.

I think we can agree though that the way of getting rid of trolling, troll-hunting, and troll-hunter hunting is for MN to beef up their troll SOPs substantially.

BeatriceAndHero · 03/10/2015 17:13

We all do things differently, Sparkling. I just dispute that because I may want privacy or anonymity I shouldn't post :)

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 17:15

Harsh ItsAll. the troll and the troll hunter get punished. Interesting.

There are some trolls who would goad sufficiently to get the troll hunters going and be put in the sin bin. they could then gloat on the thread.

It's all a bit of a minefield.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 17:16

It's your call Beatrice, we are all grown ups and know what's right for us when it comes to the internet.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 03/10/2015 17:18

Harsh ItsAll. the troll and the troll hunter get punished. Interesting.

They can both cause chaos in different ways. Of course an entirely ineffective ban for the troll is greater punishment than a brief suspension for the troll-hunter

JamesBob · 03/10/2015 17:23

Thanks for explaining about PBP. I knew that, but my mind went blank!

I think with respect the fact that there are other fora on the internet misses the point a bit.

It's the same wherever on the internet you might choose to post about something painful/personal etc

People still don't know you. It's still a kind of last resort.

People need RL support, and don't have access to that. Which means the internet is all they have. Using one internet forum is the same as using another. They can still be considered trolls quite easily.

If you really want MN to be preserved from anyone's deeply personal problems or difficult situations then you're probably not going to achieve that. You could equally want to banish these issues from the internet as a whole.

People without RL support will turn to online fora, or they will put up and shut up, or they will kill themselves. It's not hard to see why they might post.

emotionsecho · 03/10/2015 17:24

No, because troll-hunting causes damage whether or not the OP was genuine.

No, trolls cause far more damage to far more people.

If someone has evidence as they did in the thread I referred to then in the absence of MNHQ taking reports seriously and dealing with them quickly the poster with the evidence absolutely should post it to stop the harm that would ensue by allowing other posters to engage in blissful ignorance.

I have submitted a report to MNHQ about the thread I referred to so they have now had another report from a different poster be interesting to see whether the thread is still there tomorrow which I suspect it will be.