Dealing with the trolls

[margiebargie]

Lots of people reported the most recent big troll thread, but it obviously trundled on for a while regardless - I presume while you were looking into it behind the scenes. How about a system whereby if you've received a certain amount of reports, the thread is automatically "paused"/locked/hidden while you investigate?

And if a thread is revealed to have been from a troll, delete it (with the message "Yawn" or similar), and keep it up for a day or two but hide it from everyone apart from those who were posting on it (op excluded, obviously), so that they can discuss it among themselves without their discussions being public. I'm sure the trolls get a kick out of being called a sick fucker as much as from the original deception; as it's an attention-seeking phenomenon, the less attention they get, the better, no?

The idea of banning all photos of children is a good, simple, easy to implement one.

I actually wonder if a separate thread is needed to request that MN HQ delete the "checking in/sobbing for you/signing up to the cause," type posts. Because currently I'd imagine the over invested aren't actually reading this thread, because they're over investing somewhere else.

This at the very least might then prompt a discussion, and if MN HQ agreed to remove such posts it would make threads look very different if they had hundreds of deleted posts and the over invested might be less likely to post on them in future.

Also, while I do still disagree with the notion that a thread should be locked when reported, I do think that perhaps the ability to send PM's should be removed while a thread is being investigated, which is kind of like a middle ground IMO, because if the OP needs support they can still get that on the public forum, and if they're a troll that will be found soon enough anyway, but it will take away any chance of sharing information offline which could put any poster at risk.

I think the problem with having the number of reports posted on each thread would just lead to people getting stroppy, demanding to know who reported them. It'll lead to bun fights.

perhaps the ability to send PM's should be removed while a thread is being investigated, which is kind of like a middle ground IMO, because if the OP needs support they can still get that on the public forum, and if they're a troll that will be found soon enough anyway, but it will take away any chance of sharing information offline which could put any poster at risk.

Very good point.

All the finance seekers rely on PMs too.

I fell for it. I even posted a supportive message early on of the type criticised above, which I'd never done before (nor will I again). And yes, I feel pretty bloody stupid, because in hindsight it was so obviously bollocks that I genuinely now have no idea how I got blindsided. Well, lesson learned for me.

I didn't post to be "part of something", I genuinely wanted to show support to someone I thought needed it. More fool me!

I don't know what the best thing to do is in the period of time between reports and troll confirmation. Part of me wonders whether alerting trolls people are on to them is a bad idea, along the lines of "give em enough rope" to slip up more. But on the other side, that also gives them more time to be emotional vampires.

There's another thread somewhere where someone suggested having an area for deleted threads, just showing the title and deletion message (none of the posts, can't be posted on) to prevent many threads popping up afterwards saying "what happened to...".

I've also started a thread on site stuff asking for a board only available to posters of 3 months and more

That way, much less trolling and when these troll debriefs happen the sick fucker who has started them can't read them.

This blanket villifying of the people who were trying to support the troll is making me feel very uncomfortable!

Ok, so some may have been over-invested, some may have been rubber-necking, some may have been too defensive in the face of the gentle notes of caution posted by the suspicious posters ... but I agree with Showy, generally people want to be kind and show support. I suspect there were lot of newish posters on that thread who, unfortunately, couldn't imagine the depths some trolls will stoop to.

I'd like it if we could stop dissing the people who were duped by her if that's possible?

Isn't it likely that a lot of the "new" posters being gushy and over investing were actually sockies ?

Oooh, that's me told.

Have a nice day everyone. Hope you come up with some answers, the trolling is making this place fucking impossible!

I don't think the area for posters of over 3 mths standing would ever work either.

I have been on MN for 12 years, but on this ID and this email address since about last September for example.

Plus clever trolls (and there are some clever ones, there is one who I would bet real money is a longterm troll- and coincidentally (or not ) she has been known to post pics as well) has been on MN for yonks. They do the longhaul, develop a story, build up, suck people in.

All in all, nothing HQ can do is going to stop these vampires. The ONE thing that can and should be done is a sharp rap on the fingers PUBLICLY on the thread, for anyone who piles in questioning the veracity.

If it's any consolation, like I said yesterday, I reckon a good half of the "fantastic mummy/little man/signing uppers" were socks anyway.

It's a minefield, for sure.

I handle it by staying well away from these types of threads these days.

Unfortunately, I don't believe any of them now after getting bitten too many times.

me too..so sorry if people are missing out on support which is actually needed but the trolls have spoilt it.

Yes agree newer folk haven't had the multi troll experience us older glimmers have had. Live and learn blah blah blah.

Don't feel bad about being taken in - do remember the old saw "not everyone is who they seem" and ye'll be grand.

I don't think the area for posters of over 3 mths standing would ever work either

Why?

Mamazon is why

Also TDWP

Ho hum

the trolling is making this place fucking impossible

ah but Bibbity it was ever thus

mind you in the olden days we had a better cleverer class of troll who was in it for the long haul

this one's a bit...thick

You can never get rid of trolls completely, due to the very nature of the internet.

But a topic where people need to be here for a minimum of 3 months, and no name changing, would cut down on them considerably.

It's only going to get worse when the summer holidays arrive.