Occasional trolling - what's the protocol?

[Sarah715]

I have a bit of an odd question so I hope this is the right place to ask.

If there is a poster who is very regular, posts pretty much every day on a variety of threads, is helpful, clever, knows lots of stuff, and not confrontational or a trouble maker in any way - except that they also, from time to time, make things up (perhaps for attention or whatever) - would they still be banned for this?

It's not me, I promise. I just wondered whether someone's general level of useful contributions would extenuate any less helpful behaviour - or it might be written off as a 'they are usually great, give them a slap on the wrist' type of thing?

I've been reporting this person's (to me, obviously) made up posts and threads for a few weeks and I don't think anything has happened, clearly most of their posts are normal/genuine, which makes it harder to gauge how trust worthy they are.

Should something be done? Or should they get to stick around for being 'normal' most of the time?

I think trolls often just troll, and don't contribute much, but when you have someone who does it for kicks and then reverts, what's the answer?

When you say makes things up is it in the realms of changing the ages/number of children they have? Or making up entire events

And if the second, how do you know for sure

Making up entire events. Dates being extremely inconsistent, photos that are taken from other sites passed off as their own.

It's really obvious. Very easy to find, except when someone is 'hiding in plain sight' people just believe them. Popular and interesting posters aren't the obvious candidate so no one much looks beyond face value, iyswim.

When you do look it's all really dodgy.

Perhaps it is just a question of 'building a case'?

Would you mind pm ing me?

No probs.

Well I don't assume anything on here is true and sometimes people post hypothetical situations to help them think through what would happen if this etc. I think that's allowed isn't it?

Is this more crazy stuff that's all to get s huge response?

The photo thing is daft for sure as so easily checked.

It's not hypothetical testing, no. And yes you would think they would be a bit more careful with photos. But as I said, people like them, and so most would be unlikely to question it.

Well that's all very odd isn't it. Do you get no response at all when you report?

There's more than one of that kind of troll around. I reported one yesterday. They, IMO are far far far worse than your common or garden hit and run troll, because they'd build u a following of mates on bere and then as we alla know, when they are unmasked, the fallout can ne awful.
Sadly the prevailing attitude seems to be " bit they are a longstanding and well liked poster" Exactly. Like the very worst trolls this site has ever had...

Doesn't it just make you realise they are paid to do this for a living?!

Oh yes a good response - grateful for the information and this is all very helpful, type of response.

Then nothing happens.

I don't think MN is really actually 'letting them off' as it were. I'm just concerned that maybe they can't see the few dodgy things for the sheer quantity of non-dodgy contributions, and therefore check a few of her other threads and go 'Oh she seems alright' and forget it...I don't think it's their fault or anything.

But it is getting harder to sit on my hands. This is a vent I suppose!

Thenlater - that's it exactly.

noteven I don't understand! How can I be paid to be a troll. Where do I apply?

sarah that does sound really frustrating for you. Is it worth doing another report setting out all in one go what you've found on each occasion? In case it's being seen as isolated incidents here and there?

There is one like that who posted a thread a few days ago that was actually pretty upsetting.

I don't know if they are telling the truth, or not. Just don't know.

Hm. Would a paid troll be an influencer, in the same way that the Caroline Hirons thread in S&B has made clear (to me, at least) that lots of bloggers are really just employed by cosmetic companies. If so, that's depressing.

Thanks Fast, maybe an organised email would do it. MNHQ have a lot on their hands I know.

I don't normally bother any more when I think someone's trolling, because there's so much of it about and it is often just occasional or stupid - but for some reason this one is really pissing me off.