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Original poster

Would it be possible for all threads from first time posters to need approval before submission?

36 replies

AlternativePerspective · 28/02/2022 07:24

I get that people think that if we stopped first time posters from starting threads for a period of time then people might feel they couldn’t come here for support.

But given the prevalence of trolls and spammers wanting to post fearmongering threads about the war, the possibility of nuclear war, how to build a bunker in the back yard and so on, wouldn’t it be an idea for all threads from first time posters to be subject to approval before they were allowed on to the boards?

That way we would at least stop an awful lot of trolls and spammers posting here, even if we couldn’t prevent the fearmongering entirely.

Plenty of fb groups have a rule where a post is submitted for admin approval before appearing on the group, and while it would involve some work for HQ, this would presumably be countered by the fact that HQ wouldn’t have to look through so many reports about these kinds of threads because they will already have seen them.

I would make the moderation for say, 30 days.

OP posts:
GirlInACountrySong · 28/02/2022 08:17

What about namechangers? They have no visible ( to you) posting history but may have been here years

I regularly name change

I would not be happy if not allowed to post or questioned by the posting police

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 28/02/2022 08:20

Terrible idea, it could have a huge impact on someone who really needs help quickly.
A few trolls and dickheads is the price we pay, I think we can put up with that?

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 08:20

I guess this refers to genuinely first time posters that have literally just joined MN to post,. MNHQ can tell the difference between those and name changers.

I think the way things are at the moment it might be a good idea. But maybe difficult to implement?

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 08:21

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

Terrible idea, it could have a huge impact on someone who really needs help quickly. A few trolls and dickheads is the price we pay, I think we can put up with that?
If someone needed help that quickly I'm not sure MN is the best place, it might even encourage them to get valuable help in RL...
SookieHouseboat · 28/02/2022 08:24

I’m always name changing and have been here for years. Maybe a period away from MN is needed if it affects you. Just a week or two.

GirlInACountrySong · 28/02/2022 08:26

@Sparklingbrook

I guess this refers to genuinely first time posters that have literally just joined MN to post,. MNHQ can tell the difference between those and name changers.

I think the way things are at the moment it might be a good idea. But maybe difficult to implement?

They can of course but it's going to create a ton more work for a few more threads people can just hide if they don't want to read!

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 08:29

Well TBF it's never going to happen is it? But I can see how it would be useful right now as the threads about Ukraine are getting ridiculous in much the same way as the Covid ones in early 2020.
First time posters with dubious intent. mainly scaremongering. But it will die down presumably.

PurpleDaisies · 28/02/2022 08:29

That sounds totally unworkable

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 08:32

@PurpleDaisies

That sounds totally unworkable
Totally. But we can dream. Grin There's a thread asking for a Ukraine topic and that won't happen either but it's interesting to see the opinions as to why/why not.
SoupDragon · 28/02/2022 08:33

I think that is an appalling idea as people post because they want advice now.

Just learn to spot the signs and report the threads.

DottyHarmer · 28/02/2022 08:33

Any time there is an issue du jour (covid, a General Election, a terrorist attack) on come troublemakers or paid political bots. It would be good if HQ could identify and remove such OPs but I don’t know how difficult it would be for HQ.

Regarding people needing help, well, they presumably would be posting on a different t subject, not about current events, so their posts would only need investigating after the fact.

I noticed at the height of the pandemic some posters started threads every single day . . They never contributed or added to an existing thread, it was always attention-grabbing OPs and I think this should have been stopped as they were obviously to me (and I am super gullible!) political plants (remember that Dad person who was determined to get schools closed? Mr Union Activist methinks)

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 08:36

We should just be grateful for the Hide Thread function at this point, it's all we have. Grin
Although saying that I gave up on MN completely in the first half of 2020 for a few months because it was thread after thread of Hmm about Covid.

DropYourSword · 28/02/2022 08:37

I understand why you'd suggest it, but honestly I disagree with the idea.
So what if a first time poster writes about their concerns over Ukraine, or COVID, or whatever happens next in the future.
If it goes against talk guidelines it will be deleted.
I'd prefer to sift through or ignore a troll or two instead of preventing all new people from posting.

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 08:39

I wish that posters (new or otherwise) would put in the thread title that the thread is about the War/Ukraine that would be helpful.

GirlInACountrySong · 28/02/2022 08:49

A totally innocuous thread may veer off and become about 'the war'

You then get posters deciding to police the thread saying don't post about that here as they are sensitive and don't want any discussion that may upset them

This is a forum for adults.

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 08:55

@GirlInACountrySong

A totally innocuous thread may veer off and become about 'the war'

You then get posters deciding to police the thread saying don't post about that here as they are sensitive and don't want any discussion that may upset them

This is a forum for adults.

I meant from the outset. When it starts off about Ukraine/War, say but the thread title gives no clue. You can then hide the thread without bothering to open it.
Original poster
AlternativePerspective · 28/02/2022 09:10

What about namechangers? They have no visible ( to you) posting history but may have been here years it would be easy enough for there to be an algorithm which would identify a new joiner vs a name changer. But actually we would also prevent a lot more trolls if name changing wasn’t so easy. But that’s a different discussion.

Added to which it’s really quite arrogant to assume that mumsnet is someone’s only source of support on a serious matter. People would get far more genuine support if they sought help in RL, if it’s a matter of life and death MN isn’t the place to go, because there aren’t even any guarantees of replies,and even if they are nobody is generally qualified to give life and death advice that is going to save someone.

I do advance search all the Ukraine hysteria threads and I report them all.

Unfortunately the hide thread isn’t accessible when using voiceover on safari so I don’t have that available to me…

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 09:21

Yes MN isn’t some sort of emergency service.
Getting advice from randoms on the internet if you’re in an immediate panic probably not the best idea.

GirlInACountrySong · 28/02/2022 09:23

@Sparklingbrook

Yes MN isn’t some sort of emergency service. Getting advice from randoms on the internet if you’re in an immediate panic probably not the best idea.

It's just a forum....a place to spend a bit of time..... chat. About what we like

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 09:56

It is. Just a Talk Forum where mostly people are avoiding what they should be doing in favour of messing around on the internet.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 28/02/2022 10:05

Actually I think it's more arrogant to assume that people do have 'real life' support Confused
And yes by and large it's a forum for talking cobblers Wink
I just wouldn't want someone in distress to be penalised because of the odd numpty?

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 10:08

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

Actually I think it's more arrogant to assume that people do have 'real life' support Confused And yes by and large it's a forum for talking cobblers Wink I just wouldn't want someone in distress to be penalised because of the odd numpty?
It's not arrogant. MN went down for 3-4 days when it was hacked. i am sure people managed just fine. Most people have an A&E Department or a GP in times of emergency. I don't think if you are distressed this is always the best place for the correct support.
Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 28/02/2022 10:14

There's more types of emergency than those requiring A&E.
Anyway I'm not carrying on defending myself for giving a shit about a potentially vulnerable poster.

Sparklingbrook · 28/02/2022 10:16

Vulnerable people should be encouraged to seek RL help. It's not about 'giving a shit' but vulnerable people potentially being given incorrect or harmful advice that's not going to help in an emergency.

Workinghardeveryday · 28/02/2022 10:20

@AlternativePerspective I really hope this thread isn’t based on your believe that my on going thread is from a new poster.

Maybe you don’t search history properly and believe so many people to be new when they clearly aren’t.

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