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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Safeguarding on the sex chat thread on the sex board

325 replies

AutumnLeavesFallingIntoPlace · 23/02/2023 07:38

There have been a number of threads about changes to the Sex Board and the standard @MNHQ response is that they're taking feedback on board and ask us to hide the topic, which doesn't answer people's questions. I'd really appreciate some answers specifically about the sex chat thread on the sex board.

The user registration requirement to post on Sex has changed from 3 months to 7 days. It was in place to discourage trolls and predators on the Sex board so it would be helpful to know why that's no longer a concern and 7 days is deemed sufficient.

The sex chat thread exists for users to connect via PM for explicit chat and the thread advises posters they can then move that conversation to platforms like Kik and Telegram. At the moment, MN's advice is to report dodgy PMs; once users move off site this of course no longer applies.

Defence of the sex chat thread seems to be 'it's fine between consenting adults'. MNHQ, please could you tell us what measures you take to ensure participants there are adults? Currently, there is no safety warning and no age verification. How do you intend to keep any underage users from accessing this thread? How can anyone on there know that posters are over 18? You have removed the previously existing safeguards; why is this and will you put any more in place?

There is a risk users might feel safer and more inclined to trust a sex chat hosted by a site like MN; it does feel odd that you haven't made any attempt to counter this by pinning a post reminding users that MN can't vouch for anyone on there, particularly now the three month registration period is gone. Do you intend to do this?

Finally, the thread contains a number of married men who 'aren't getting any at home' and are seeking 'any available female' (direct quotes). Can you confirm this is in the spirit of MN and that you're happy to let it stand?

Thanks, and please don't advise us to hide the sex board again, or even just the sex chat thread, we get that's the MN party line but would really like an answer to the actual questions.

OP posts:
lovem · 23/02/2023 07:45

Cheers @AutumnLeavesFallingIntoPlace

Rogue1001MNer · 23/02/2023 07:58

Watching.

Thank you @AutumnLeavesFallingIntoPlace

Xrays · 23/02/2023 07:59

Watching 👍

monomatapea · 23/02/2023 08:04

I had no idea! Interested in the response. There must be sites soley dedicated to that sort of thing that presumably try and have some safeguarding in place.

Clymene · 23/02/2023 08:07

I didn't know they'd cut the registration time down. God that's revolting.

LittleBearPad · 23/02/2023 08:10

Watching and waiting for MNHQ’s one response per thread…

BentleyRhythmAce · 23/02/2023 08:11

Money talks.

Bamboux · 23/02/2023 08:14

Providing a place for married men to find people to cheat with really isn't compatible with the concept of 'making parents' lives easier', is it.

DorritLittle · 23/02/2023 08:14

I didn’t know about the sex topic until it started appearing in active threads which it has done regularly since the changes. I’d like to know why trolls and predators are no longer a concern too.

Cincinnatus · 23/02/2023 08:14

Well bloody said.

LittleBearPad · 23/02/2023 08:21

Bamboux · 23/02/2023 08:14

Providing a place for married men to find people to cheat with really isn't compatible with the concept of 'making parents' lives easier', is it.

Well no. Advertising vibrators to new mothers isn’t either but that seems to be MN’s approach now.

YukoandHiro · 23/02/2023 08:23

There's probably only one reason they keep it open: traffic numbers which equates to advertising revenue.
Suspect MN has lost audience over the whole "transphobic radicalisation" line (I don't agree with this, just parroting what is being said out there) which will be deterring some millennial new mothers so it's changed the registration period rule for the sex chat section to keep the numbers up.
All a bit depressing really.

LittleBearPad · 23/02/2023 08:29

YukoandHiro · 23/02/2023 08:23

There's probably only one reason they keep it open: traffic numbers which equates to advertising revenue.
Suspect MN has lost audience over the whole "transphobic radicalisation" line (I don't agree with this, just parroting what is being said out there) which will be deterring some millennial new mothers so it's changed the registration period rule for the sex chat section to keep the numbers up.
All a bit depressing really.

You think they’ve chosen to swap new mums for Brian from Hull? It’s an interesting strategy

AnyFucker · 23/02/2023 08:32

It’s all sex pozzy on Mumsnet now, dontcha know 🫤

Bamboux · 23/02/2023 08:37

LittleBearPad · 23/02/2023 08:29

You think they’ve chosen to swap new mums for Brian from Hull? It’s an interesting strategy

Show quote history

It's a suicidal strategy

SoupDragon · 23/02/2023 08:38

I understand and agree about the "removing the topic from Active" issue and I also agree that lowering the membership requirement was wrong. I don't understand why people who don't use the sex chat thread are so up in arms about it when the participants are happy. I don't use it nor do I look at the Sex topic so, even knowing it's there, it never crosses my mind. I didn't know the chat existed until all the threads in site stuff complaining about it 😂😂

please could you tell us what measures you take to ensure participants there are adults?

I'm curious as to how you propose they do that. Other sites I've used just have a box to tick to say you're over 18 which is hardly conclusive proof.

MySugarBabyLove · 23/02/2023 08:40

I hid the sex topic when it appeared in active, but have any posters managed to derail the hookup thread by expressing their disapproval?

the fact the thread exists is hideous, but could we take control from within if we descended on it n mass?

LittleBearPad · 23/02/2023 08:44

MySugarBabyLove · 23/02/2023 08:40

I hid the sex topic when it appeared in active, but have any posters managed to derail the hookup thread by expressing their disapproval?

the fact the thread exists is hideous, but could we take control from within if we descended on it n mass?

It’s grim but MN are choosing to host it. It’s MN that we need to address. Trolling threads isn’t going to improve things.

Original poster
AutumnLeavesFallingIntoPlace · 23/02/2023 08:50

SoupDragon · 23/02/2023 08:38

I understand and agree about the "removing the topic from Active" issue and I also agree that lowering the membership requirement was wrong. I don't understand why people who don't use the sex chat thread are so up in arms about it when the participants are happy. I don't use it nor do I look at the Sex topic so, even knowing it's there, it never crosses my mind. I didn't know the chat existed until all the threads in site stuff complaining about it 😂😂

please could you tell us what measures you take to ensure participants there are adults?

I'm curious as to how you propose they do that. Other sites I've used just have a box to tick to say you're over 18 which is hardly conclusive proof.

I agree the tick box isn't exactly foolproof but I am surprised MN don't even have that in place. You'd think they would, even just to cover themselves?

OP posts:
Silvergone · 23/02/2023 08:52

It’s almost like Mumsnet has decided that facilitating the desire of men for a quick online thrill is more important than actually supporting mothers. 🤔

All that will happen is the site will become swamped with creeps and teenage boys (if it isn’t already) and someone else will set up a new parenting site that isn’t and mums who actually want mumchat will move there.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/02/2023 08:53

Clymene · 23/02/2023 08:07

I didn't know they'd cut the registration time down. God that's revolting.

It really is.

Logburnerperils · 23/02/2023 08:56

You keep going on about mums but there are plenty of non parents here and also dads. This feels a bit like when the black mumsnetter idea was floated and you guys went crazy. Safeguarding angle is just a ploy. No teenage boy is getting their rocks off to mumsnet when there is a plethora of stuff out there.

IneedanewTV · 23/02/2023 08:57

SoupDragon · 23/02/2023 08:38

I understand and agree about the "removing the topic from Active" issue and I also agree that lowering the membership requirement was wrong. I don't understand why people who don't use the sex chat thread are so up in arms about it when the participants are happy. I don't use it nor do I look at the Sex topic so, even knowing it's there, it never crosses my mind. I didn't know the chat existed until all the threads in site stuff complaining about it 😂😂

please could you tell us what measures you take to ensure participants there are adults?

I'm curious as to how you propose they do that. Other sites I've used just have a box to tick to say you're over 18 which is hardly conclusive proof.

Mumsnet is aimed at women. Some see this as a safe space (yes I know no where on the internet is safe). Seems odd. Women’s site and there is a sex chat and married men joining! Advertising, revenue.. well you will lose women on a point of principle on this. Never mind though it’s all about the men.

sashagabadon · 23/02/2023 09:01

Completely agree with your points OP particularly around age verification.
This has never been a hook up website and that’s what it will become.

buttercupboots · 23/02/2023 09:02

I just went into the sex board to see what thread you're referring to, has it been deleted because I can't see it?!

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