Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Banning/suspending trollhunters ?

177 replies

SerendipityJane · 29/08/2019 15:44

Not sure if it's getting worse, or me getting grumpier, but quite a few threads of late where - despite clear and unambiguous guidelines - some posters decide to clog it up with in-thread accusations, rather than quietly clicking "report" and going about their day.

Especially in more sensitive threads it can be quite distressing to the OP.

Since it's clearly against site rules, why doesn't MNHQ ban or suspend people who insist on trollhunting ? Especially after MNHQ comment on a thread (but people "miss" it) ?

Awaits a flaming (or being called a troll Grin)

OP posts:
Original poster
SerendipityJane · 03/09/2019 14:41

Smile seems a good start to me ...

OP posts:
SirChing · 03/09/2019 14:46

@MichaelMumsnet that sounds fair enough, but how does it differ from the present policy?

Saying noone is going to get kicked off for mentioning it on the thread - that's exactly what we are complaining about. Surely that's what troll hunting is?

NoSauce · 03/09/2019 14:52

Don't panic - we aren't going to be slinging anyone off the site immediately for questioning it where they suspect something is amiss

What does that mean? Questioning something off board to MNHQ or on a thread? Also if something is ludicrously troll like are we allowed to say so or not? What about the biscuit?

Original poster
SerendipityJane · 03/09/2019 14:56

I'm imagining a "3 strikes" policy ?

OP posts:
Diagonalli · 03/09/2019 14:58

I had no idea that the report button was meant for reporting suspected trolls - I thought it was reporting abuse or inappropriate content

GetOffYourHighHorse · 03/09/2019 15:16

@mnhq what great news. Yes trolls are a pita but as has been said troll hunters can cause just as much distress to genuine posters.

I for one will get my clipboard at the ready and report any troll hunting I come across. How lovely to hear they'll get warnings then hopefully banned if they persist. Linking to that rabble rousing other site should be an automatic ban imo. Mind HiddenRobins has been quiet of late so maybe it is.

DriftingLeaves · 03/09/2019 15:23

Great news, HQ.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/09/2019 15:37

Saying noone is going to get kicked off for mentioning it on the thread ...

He said they would be suspended/banned if they persist in trollhunting

What does that mean? Questioning something off board to MNHQ or on a thread?

On a thread, obviously. If you've got doubts report it. It's easy, just say you're dubious and ask MNHQ to 'take a look behind the scenes'. They thank you for it, even if you're wrong.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/09/2019 15:39

I had no idea that the report button was meant for reporting suspected trolls - I thought it was reporting abuse or inappropriate content

It's for reporting anything you think breaks talk guidelines. MN isn't 'actively' moderated, if people don't report problems MNHQ don't know about them.

Original poster
SerendipityJane · 03/09/2019 15:41

I had no idea that the report button was meant for reporting suspected trolls - I thought it was reporting abuse or inappropriate content

Trollhunting is abuse.

OP posts:
GetOffYourHighHorse · 03/09/2019 15:44

'What does that mean? Questioning something off board to MNHQ or on a thread'

How earth can you think no troll hunting on a thread might also mean don't report Confused

NoSauce · 03/09/2019 15:46

Trolls are more than a pita Hmm it’s them you should be reporting.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/09/2019 15:56

Obviously you should report someone you suspect is trolling before you think about reporting trollhunters. This really isn't difficult.

SirChing · 03/09/2019 15:58

@NoSauce It isn't an either/or situation. People can report both. So yes, if you make a comment that implies you think the OP is a troll, you get reported. As per MN guidelines. If there is aggrievement at not being able to do this on the thread, take it up with MNHQ.

A person would have to be VERY arrogant to post on a private site, and then be reluctant to follow site rules, as they disagree with them.

Original poster
SerendipityJane · 03/09/2019 15:59

Trolls are more than a pita hmm it’s them you should be reporting.

Which I do. Using the "report" button so as not to give the OP a hard time.

OP posts:
NoSauce · 03/09/2019 16:00

I never said it was difficult. My post was referring to HighHorse and her strange outlook that trolls are nothing but a bit of a pest but anyone pointing them out are Satan himself.

Arse about tit love.

NoSauce · 03/09/2019 16:02

SirChing I report every single day. Usually more than once. I wouldn’t be surprised if MNHQ aren’t actually sick of my name in their inbox.

Original poster
SerendipityJane · 03/09/2019 16:03

A person would have to be VERY arrogant to post on a private site, and then be reluctant to follow site rules, as they disagree with them.

I give you ... this thread ...

OP posts:
SirChing · 03/09/2019 16:10

@SerendipityJane Yep, I totally agree! People are baffling.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/09/2019 16:10

her strange outlook that trolls are nothing but a bit of a pest but anyone pointing them out are Satan himself.

That would be arse about tit if anyone had actually said that.

GetOffYourHighHorse · 03/09/2019 17:02

'My post was referring to HighHorse and her strange outlook that trolls are nothing but a bit of a pest but anyone pointing them out are Satan himself. '

Oh stop being dramatic, I've said they are both annoying. The thing is troll hunters often get it wrong, that is the point.

Some of them even c&p really disturbing troll threads about children and post the whole op on another site to discuss! even when mnhq have deleted here quickly. I bet the trolls love them for all the attention they get.

EntirelyAnonymised · 03/09/2019 17:17

There is a massive troll problem on MN and people are a bit wary about reporting because they can also be banned for ‘vexatious reporting’. So if you are a poster who frequently reports posters you genuinely suspect have iffy motives, you can be banned for it. God knows there are enough questionable posts on here to mean that any one of us could be done for ‘vexatious reporting’ if we reported every one, as we are told to do in the guidelines.

You can also be banned for challenging people on the boards. So what’s the answer?

Should we just be agreeing with posters? Not questioning the obvious ginormous gaping holes in stories or timelines because it could be considered ‘troll hunting’?

It’s all very contradictory.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/09/2019 17:30

people are a bit wary about reporting because they can also be banned for ‘vexatious reporting’. So if you are a poster who frequently reports posters you genuinely suspect have iffy motives, you can be banned for it

I'd never heard of that happening. I report quite a lot and have never had any negativity from MNHQ , on the contrary. I would have thought the bar for such a ban would be very high, and only happen after warnings.

53rdWay · 03/09/2019 18:05

Question, Michael/MNHQ - would the harder line on troll hunting also apply on threads where the OP is definitely trolling?

Example: If you get fifty reports about a thread started by the school uniform pervert, and when you get there there’s also some MNer posting “everyone, this is a troll, don’t share stories about your children’s underwear” - does that poster get told off/suspended/banned as well?

GetOffYourHighHorse · 03/09/2019 18:10

'when you get there there’s also some MNer posting “everyone, this is a troll, don’t share stories about your children’s underwear” - does that poster get told off/suspended/banned as well?'

But why do feel it is your responsibility to do that on a thread, why not just report. Do you enjoy getting 'well done!' comments from other troll hunters? There was one last week, again someone with posting history who was asking about PE kit and troll hunters were all in a froth. Maybe you and other troll hunters should stay away from mn?