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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Can we add the date posters joined MN?

222 replies

BIWI · 27/12/2019 11:06

So many trolls, cheeky and goady fuckers these days! Advanced Search can be helpful in identifying a first time poster - but given how frequently people name change, or the fact that often people name change for one, specific post, sometimes a long-term poster can seem to be a first time poster. Hence they may come under suspicion too.

Could you add, underneath the info on the right-hand side, where it currently has 'message/report', the month and year that they joined MN?

I realise that being here for a while doesn't preclude trolling (unfortunately), but it's much more likely that someone posting a CF/GF/Troll thread, who only joined this month, is not going to be a genuine poster.

Most other sites seem to have this kind of information. I think it would be really useful.

OP posts:
TheCanterburyWhales · 27/12/2019 11:10

I joined in 2004.
This username is less than a year old.
It wouldn't work Biwi, even you had a longer name back in the day.
I'd say trolls are easier to spot these days (ie half the posters on here) and given how large MN has become, posters are ever less likely to form off board friendships and risking someone they thought they knew running off with the Christmas club money or refusing to get off their sofa having been put up for the night after a MN "do"

Original poster
BIWI · 27/12/2019 11:14

Why wouldn't it work? I know I had a longer name to start with, but my date of joining should be separate from my name.

So, I joined in October 2006. Even if, tomorrow, I changed my name to BWorthIt, (crap change, but you get my drift!), it would still say on each of my posts that I've been a member since Oct 2006.

Totally agree with you about fewer friendships off-board - I've pulled back massively from engaging away from the site for this very reason. (The example you give about the money being the key 'ahah' moment for me!).

I read most posts with a suspicious and cynical eye these days, which is a real shame. MNHQ do a better job these days of dealing with troll posts swiftly, but I think there are just so many of them, any mechanisms making them easier for MNetters to identify them would be useful. So many people do get sucked in.

OP posts:
Samcro · 27/12/2019 11:16

some of the worst trolls were long time members (remember daftpunk?) so can't see it would help and would start all that royalty stuff up.

Original poster
BIWI · 27/12/2019 11:17

Hmm. Yes - but daftpunk wasn't really a troll, just a very unpleasant poster, who got worse and worse before she was finally banned.

OP posts:
VelvetSoft · 27/12/2019 11:21

Hmm not sure. I think it could be used against people, as in, "Oh you've been here since May 2013? Well I know that poster56 has also been here since May 2013 so you must be them" iyswim. The supersleuths would love it a bit too much and there would definitely be issues with mistaken identities.

Original poster
BIWI · 27/12/2019 11:24

But does that happen on other sites? I've certainly never seen the royalty thing - and if people name change as often as they do now (some of us excepted Grin) then surely this is less likely to happen as people won't 'know' who they are - unless they have a particularly distinctive posting style.

If it's used to try and work out who posters are, then that should be banned as outing/doxxing, surely?

OP posts:
Bufferingkisses · 27/12/2019 11:25

Doesn't it potentially undermine name changing though? (As well as being a step towards info boxes and tickers...)

If someone has their suspicions about a name change (I.e. they think they can recognise someone) they can check the joined date against previous names to assist identifying. Probably not explained that very well but it would make me quite uncomfortable.

TheCanterburyWhales · 27/12/2019 11:25

I also changed email addresses after various events. So HQ would think I joined last year.
I could be Daftpunk, I could be Dizzy. I could be Devil (oooooh, do you reckon all scammy pants have D user names???!!!) Nobody would know.

I also think many long term trolls and fakers play the long game, and I think there are more of them than someone who runs in, goes "I'm poor, send me a hamper" and then disappears again.

Bufferingkisses · 27/12/2019 11:27

You can only ban people for doxxing if they own up to it. The ones who are problematic are the ones who don't but just use the info for their own purposes.

ExpletiveFairylighted · 27/12/2019 11:42

I've had several totally different names now and have also pulled back from off-board friendships (maintain longterm ones but more cautious about new ones). Sadly now I think the motto has to be "trust no one", some trolls do play the long game. I'd rather not have any additional information associated with my names TBH.

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 27/12/2019 17:49

Hi BIWI

Thanks for raising this.

As ever, we're more than happy to discuss suggestions.

This is actually something we've discussed before, but it comes with its negatives too. We're not too sure where we stand on this at the moment, but it's something we can keep discussing in future. Flowers

Original poster
BIWI · 27/12/2019 21:37

Thanks Lily. I'm sure there are downsides - many already suggested on this thread! But surely anything that helps the 'battle' with trolls would be a good idea?

OP posts:
whatsyaname · 27/12/2019 22:53

Well why not a new poster label then? I'm happy to answer newbie posts and trolls to be honest . I don't get why people care if it's made up or not, to worry about that means your over-invested. If you enjoy engaging or interacting then crack on. You never know might help someone who's reading but not a troll.

I have no idea when I joined .. a good while back and did one post then lurked for years. Name change very often now as I post and answer lots.

AudacityOfHope · 27/12/2019 23:06

But why? For me threads stand on their own merit; is it interesting, something I can answer, funny, etc? I don't care if someone has been around 1 year or 10, and I never look at user names.

Original poster
BIWI · 28/12/2019 08:32

So the trolling doesn't bother you, then @AudacityOfHope?

OP posts:
PostNotInHaste · 28/12/2019 08:37

I think given how things are now that this would be a good idea at this point.

exLtEveDallas · 28/12/2019 08:38

I’ve thought this before, it seems to me to be the easiest ‘fix’ - it’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing (which is what we’ve got now).

Another site I’m on uses, umm, ‘medals’ to promote how long a member has been in play. After 5 years you get a full compliment. But they don’t allow name changing.

If MN is going to continue to allow name changing then I think the ‘date joined’ is the best defence, even if not infallible.

PlanDeRaccordement · 28/12/2019 08:40

I see more nastiness from troll hunters than trolling to be honest.
Posters will assume someone is a troll and attack an OP. A recent example is the slut shaming thread where the OP was accused of being a man or MtF trans in disguise because she used the word slut. Then they discussed reporting her thread for “being creepy”.

Stuff like that happens all the time. Is it any wonder that many OPs start a thread with a plea to “be gentle with me, my first thread” and other similar statements. It’s why I am afraid to start a thread even though I have a very real concern with my SIL that I would love to get advice on.

Putting the date a poster joined will just give ammunition to these troll hunters who think they have psychic powers and do get really nasty.

ExpletiveFairylighted · 28/12/2019 08:42

I was thinking about this a bit more. If it was just month/year joined as BIWI suggested (I didn't spot that on first reading and was thinking exact date) then I think it would be fine. I'd just rather not have the exact date as it would make it too easy for stalkers to confirm suspected name changes.

Lougle · 28/12/2019 08:44

Trolling is irritating, but it's only a forum. I don't think length of membership makes much difference, tbh.

Dumbledoresgirl · 28/12/2019 08:45

oooooh, do you reckon all scammy pants have D user names???!!!

Err, no! Xmas Smile ( non scammy pants since 2004)

I think the date idea is a good one although I do not engage with posters enough these days to really care who they are. I just want to know who, out of all the millions of anonymous names, I might have once known.

exLtEveDallas · 28/12/2019 08:46

Putting the date a poster joined will just give ammunition to these troll hunters who think they have psychic powers and do get really nasty

Honest question @PlanDeRaccordement - How? Unless you mean posters will be nastier to new members (which I would agree with).

PostNotInHaste · 28/12/2019 08:47

Plan thatnis a shame you are put off starting s thread when you need help and hope you do decide to.

Agree troll hunting can be a problem but if joining date provided rule could be anyone using info on thread rather than contacting MN with concerns will be suspended for 30 days or something ? That’s off the top of my head and am not totally awake yet though.

Squigean · 28/12/2019 08:49

Don't some site have labels such as Newbie, NotSoNewNow, BeenHereAWhile and PartOfTheFurniture (well not those exactly - but you get my drift).

Whilst I think these labels are generally based on post count it might work with date joined. Saves having to show the actual date.

Toooldtobearsed2 · 28/12/2019 08:50

I kind of think its a good idea, but I can see a situation where a genuine new poster is deemed to be trolling when they are, in fact, quite genuine.
Its bad enough now with the 'interesting first post OP' posts.

I have been here for years and STILL cannot spot a troll🙄