Sockpuppet for a reason

[reni2]

Is it allowed to use 2 usernames on the same thread?

If I had posted something relatively general on a thread under my usual username and then realised I would like to go into detail after all (with a nc), would that get me a ban? It is a sensitive subject and what I would have added might have been hugely identifying.

Thank you, MaryZ, good point, people do name change for a joke.. I just worried that I'd look like I am trying to add weight to a point I have already made.

I thought sock puppetry was more deliberate posting to press a weird point of view or to goad.

Not forgetting who you are from time to time (especially if it's a long running thread)

I've done it, in exactly the same kind of circumstance you're describing. I posted a general response, then realised I could add a bit more but didn't want to use my usual name, I name changed mid way through. It wasn't a particularly bunfighty thread, but was sensitive, I think, it was ages ago.

Hi reni2,

Thanks for asking - we're happy to explain.

As others have said, we'd only penalise someone for sock puppeting if we could see they were doing it to mislead or with malicious intent. And this sort of thing is usually spotted a mile off (and duly reported) by MNers.

We can see if someone has name changed on a thread but we're not concerned if we can tell there's no funny business going on.

Thanks for clarifying, DawnMumsnet, I have held back on several occasions, good to know.

AuntieStella forgetting who you are from time to time happens all the time to me.

I did it once, by mistake.

I have done it because I have an ongoing policy of slight name changes every couple of days as I don't want a huge bod of texts relating to one screen name.

SOmebody (can't remember who) did have a pop at me but I explained why it'd happened.. I hope that mumsnet would look at my history if somebody did actually report me. I am paranoid about being outed as it happened once before. Years ago but the fear never leaves me.