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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

MN HQ, time for a hide poster function?

27 replies

SummerGems · 05/10/2018 18:37

I have always been opposed to the idea of a hide poster function on the basis that if someone is particularly offensive then one can skim past their posts.

But having just seen yet another thread highjacked by posters with an agenda, I do actually think that it’s time to bring such a function into the picture. That way posts by those who clearly have an agenda would be hidden and not viewed, threads wouldn’t be derailed so quickly, and we could potentially get back to a point where posters aren’t talking about wanting to leave mn because of the levels of offensive postings on certain threads.

And yes, I know this thread is likely to be highjacked by those very posters.

I also know that you advise posters to report offensive posts but let’s be honest here, a lot of offensive posts aren’t being removed likely because A, there isn’t time/ability to keep up with all reports, and B, because offence is subjective so what a poster might consider offensive someone else or mn hq might not.

OP posts:
RatRolyPoly · 05/10/2018 18:44

Lots of posters would like to hide me, I'm sure, but I can't see how it would work with the way threads are set out on MN. It's hard enough to follow when posts get deleted! Wouldn't things just make no sense?

There are posters I literally won't talk to though. I never thought I'd say that but I just kind of pretend they're not there or I'm basically asking for trouble! Not worth it.

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 07/10/2018 10:30

Hi OP

Thanks for the suggestion - we'll pass it on and have a chat about it. It might not be something we can do, but we're always happy to discuss. Flowers

Sparklingbrook · 07/10/2018 10:32

This has been asked for a lot. It's easier to just not acknowledge them or avoid threads altogether.

CosmicCanary · 07/10/2018 10:40

I would think threads would become very hard to follow and would not get back on track if we had that function. It would kill every thread. Without threads whats the point of MN?

I just blank out posters I do not like. I do not reply directly to their posts and if they address me I ignore them.
Can you not do that?

SilverHairedCat · 07/10/2018 10:43

It can be done MNHQ, at least in theory. It's done on most other forums I've been on, so the technology exists. And it's bliss.

SilverHairedCat · 07/10/2018 10:45

It doesn't derail threads,you can just ignore known idiots goady posters and never have to worry about reading their nonsense again.

LassWiADelicateAir · 07/10/2018 11:53

RatRolyPoly

Lots of posters would like to hide me, I'm sure

I'm sure there are a few and possibly me too.

exLtEveDallas · 07/10/2018 11:58

There is a way to do it, and I've done it in the past. You have to be using Firefox though...and actually with all the namechanging, it's not as easy as it was.

WingsofXXSteel · 07/10/2018 12:04

What like twitter, with the block list? No thanks!

PyeWackets · 07/10/2018 12:36

The great thing about mn is that you do read points of view that you may not agree with. You can always challenge the poster, or avoid a thread. No platforming, muting, blocking is very common but isn't how mn works.

Sparklingbrook · 07/10/2018 14:35

I agree that with all the namechanging it woudn't work for too long anyway.

But ignoring, not responding or hiding the thread completely works well. Also switch the @ tag thing off.

gamerchick · 07/10/2018 14:40

I think it would only work if we got rid of the namechanging function.

I'd be happy to get rid of the tag function though

DisrespectfulAdultFemale · 07/10/2018 14:42

I scroll past the posters I find obnoxious. Well, I do most of the time... But I'm getting better at it.

JenFromTheGlen · 07/10/2018 15:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotANotMan · 07/10/2018 21:34

The beauty of mumsnet as opposed to twitter is it's not an echo chamber. Nobody can be blocked and the conversation playing field is level.
I strongly oppose hiding posters for this reason.

DisrespectfulAdultFemale · 08/10/2018 08:34

Unless I am very much mistaken about how filtering posters would work at MN, there is no "dividing...into two or ten or a hundred little nests" nor is there "muting" or "no-platforming".

What would happen is that if Poster A filters Poster B Posters C, D and E et al will still see Poster B's posts as usual. The only person who wouldn't see them is Poster A.

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 08/10/2018 08:37

Can't you just skim past?

Is Mumsnet that importantto you that you have to engage?

Especially in the last few years there have been people I think "gah, that twat again" and I just move right on by. (unless it's the piss/poo/perv/teacher toilet troll- which tbf about half of Active tends to be, in which case I report and move on)

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 08/10/2018 08:39

I get rid of the tag function easily by having a throwaway email address and then popping the first notification into the spam folder.

CaptSkippy · 11/10/2018 12:44

I would also love to see a hide user option, because some threads are cluttered enough as it and it is becoming harder to focus on the discussion and exchange of ideas. Which is probably precisely the point of some of these trolls. If we can hide them we can keep the conversation going.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 11/10/2018 16:30

I also know that you advise posters to report offensive posts but let’s be honest here, a lot of offensive posts aren’t being removed likely because A, there isn’t time/ability to keep up with all reports, and B, because offence is subjective so what a poster might consider offensive someone else or mn hq might not.*

Or C. People aren't reporting them.

I would not support a hide poster function. It's pointless with name changing and would the poster be told they have been hidden?

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 11/10/2018 16:38

Are these posters you wish to hide on particular boards that you frequent?
I'm on here quite a lot, but never notice people enough that I need to hide them.
I'm with sparking on this one, just don't engage.
I'm sure that would be more effective.

kviddics · 12/10/2018 10:51

I don't think something like this would work on a site like Mumsnet where name changing is permitted.

For one, a lot of inflammatory posts seem to stem (from my observation at least) from single-use names. And if we're talking about account-wide hiding i.e. hiding all posts from a particular account regardless of the username they're using, it pretty much goes against the point of name changing because we'll all be able to figure out everyone's usernames.

BackforGood · 12/10/2018 11:10

I can only imagine that the threads would become really confusing, with other posters replying to posts that you haven't seen though - would be a nightmare to try and follow a thread.

I think the answer is to report if the poster is being offensive / personally attacking, and just ignore the ones who just keep posting ridiculous nonsense if they won't engage in reasoned debate.

userblablabla · 12/10/2018 11:13

Mumsnet is very much an echo chamber! Especially on certain boards. Once in a while someone opposes, sure, but they’re torn down brutally and rarely return again.

Aridane · 18/10/2018 08:22

Mumsnet can be the mother of all echo chambers at times!!