A change to the reports system

[RebeccaMumsnet]

Hi all,

As you know, we rely on MNers to use the 'report' link if they spot anything untoward on the boards - and we very much appreciate it when you do. We want to be able to be more responsive to these reports generally, so we're going to stop sending individual acknowledgment mails for now; we think this will free up a fair bit of time which could be better spent elsewhere.

When you report a post, you'll now see this message:

Thanks very much for reporting this - we rely on your reports to make sure Mumsnet is a brilliant place to come for support and advice.

In order to best focus our efforts, we tend not to respond to reports individually - but be assured that we read every single one, and that we'll look into the problem as soon as possible.

And we'll be highlighting a few links to places you might want to go next.

We'll continue to mail folks directly as and when the need arises - and as mentioned, we'll be reading each and every report, come what may. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do ask!

(Plus, larkin' about on the boards was what got most of us the job in the first place... so the more of that we are free to do, the better. Hurrah! #paidtoMN #livingthedream)

I agree with this approach.

Can I ask why replies to reports go to our emails not our PM boxes?

Aww. Dislike.

I will also be a bit sad not to get personal emails anymore but it must take a hell of a lot of time up so completely understand why

Don't worry, lads, we're going to be on the boards more so you'll get the personal touch of which you are so fond... But yeah, we know what you mean about the emails, they were nice for us too, which is probably why we kept doing it long after it was no longer terribly practical.

But how will I know when you have swung the banhammer now?

You will just have to say so on the thread. Perhaps some sort of code?

Can't imagine why there isn't just an auto response to say it's been received (by the server that would have to be I think).

As a big reporter'er I will miss the lovely emails but i can see that it's a good idea. I agree that it might be helpful to post a generic 'supportive' MNHQ message on threads that appear troll' but that are probably OK.

I recently reported one that screamed troll to me but that you had checked out to be ok as it was a long term poster etc - the thread was getting very few posts and even fewer helpful posts as I assume everyone was thinking it was the work of a troll.

I completely understand why you want to do this, and anything that frees up resource to troll-bash is v welcome

One real benefit of the email from MNHQ, though, was it contained a copy of the reported post. This can be really useful to refer back to, in cases where the pp disputed what they said, or to compare what gets deleted and what doesn't.

Would it be possible for a copy of the report (post plus our comments) to go into our mail box?

I'm feeling a bit sad. I can see the reasoning here but I've had some lovely emails, especially at the weekend.

I know what you mean, ilove. MN is now just too big for that cozy sort of relationship between pp and staff, I guess

Might it be an idea to limit replies to those cases where you decide not to delete?

If you do propose tick-box categories for reports, and if these are used in any way to prioritize when reports get examined, I think the top one should be 'suicidial ideation'. this is the only type of post I ever report and have always had excellent MNHQ responses but it is a terrifying thing to encounter, if only by a stranger online, and should be the highest priority.

I think it's a great idea. And solves my do I email them to say thanks for emailing me dilemma

I always assumed the responses were automated already - sorry MNHQ!

Could we have a tick box for "troll accusation on thread" as a bunch of threads I've seen recently have been derailed by claims and snide hints of trolley followed by MNHQ confirming the person isn't, followed by lots of apologies...

Thanks Olenna

I live on my own and get pretty lonely some weekends. The communication I've had has been nice. I understand that they're snowed under though.

I agree it would be very helpful to have a drop down for report type along the lines already suggested. I tend to report as follows:

Discriminatory language
GF
PA
Advertising

and then

Spidey Senses - I'm quite gratified by my strike rate on this one

I think Troll and Troll Hunting are obvious categories.

Also probably TAAT although I believe it would be helpful to consider whether these are "spin off" threads or what's often called "transferring drama" elsewhere. TD can happen across completely unrelated threads and is often mislabelled "bullying".

I got one of the automated pop ups yesterday, I was surprised by it & a bit sad. Not that I ever expected MN to reply to all my reports, but even when you/they didn't, I felt that there was that open path of communication there.

Whilst I understand the practicality of it, it's a shame. It's not the information in emails that I'll miss, though that was good to have, but the fact that there was that communication between members & MNHQ. It made MN feel more 'real' especially on days where most threads make you . It was just nice to have that communication, it was sometimes amusing, other times just a nice chat, but mostly it displayed quite clearly the MN weren't like so many other forums where it's all automated and you never speak to a real person. Shame that's gone now.

I too will miss my email exchanges but can understand that it's just too time consuming now.

Agree it would be better to see the deleted message on deleted threads on TIO/TIW. On the iPhone app the whole threads just disappear altogether so you don't know if it was a PBP, troll, or even the recently much improved policing of disablist threads.

Oh.

Yet another change making MN feel soulless and corporate.
I preferred it when it was all fields I think.

preferred it when it was all fields I think.

It still is. Just data fields in a giant database...

I get the reduced admin drive and agree.

I reported a troll yesterday (Girona airport thread) but got all excited and checked the 'spam' box. Wasn't sure afterwards if that was the correct assessment. So more check boxes would be great.

How about a 'must be the school holibobs again' box

I am confused. how do we now know mn hq have seen the report?
I just reported something , now I won't know if mn hq have seen it.