What is troll hunting?

[Brandyb]

I saw the following message on a thread I was following:

This thread has been deleted:
Hi, we had to take this thread down due to the amount of troll hunting posts. We take a very dim view of troll hunting - it goes against our Talk guidelines. Once again we want to remind you that if you have concerns please report them to us. MNHQ

I don't know what troll hunting and I couldn't find an MN glossary for an explanation! Can someone enlighten me?

Calling a poster a troll or accusing them of trolling

Saying that the OP has made the thread up or is posting as a wind up

Comments such as "chinny reckon" or references to hairy hands or living under a bridge

Those are a few examples.

It’s when you’re pretty sure the OP is making it all up and post to that effect. Unfortunately, it is very common on here. If you’ve been here a while, you can spot it.

Mumsnet don’t like it - they prefer you to report it. But it’s actually really difficult to watch a thread that you’re pretty sure is a lie, with posters getting all riled up on the OP’s behalf, without saying something to alert less experienced posters.

@HeddaGarbled @ilovesooty
Thanks for your explanations - I get it now.
I see the issue. We want to have freedom be honest with others and call out but also mumsnet don't want a descent into totally unmannered Internet hell!

Some people just like to get riled up, I wouldn't worry about them too much.

If you're all riled up about someone on the internet's husband/job/neighbours/parking issue I'm not sure it even matters if its true or not! You've already gone too far.

I have have been accused of being a man and all sorts of other stuff. Troll hunting uses your past posts and tries to make something of them.

Unless it's "interesting first post" or "welcome to Mumsnet"...

I was accused of being a troll the other day just because I dared to offer the opposite response to what the OP was wanting.

Hello @Brandyb thanks for posting. As mentioned above, troll hunting is when someone accuses another poster of being a troll, a liar, not genuine, etc.

Our guidelines ask MNers not to troll hunt on the talk boards but to report it to MNHQ via the report button instead. We understand the urge to warn others on the thread, but when users are publicly accused of being trolls it can be very upsetting if they’re genuine - especially if they really need support and advice, while actual trolls just love all the added attention it brings.

Please take a look at our Talk Guidelines for more information and do ask if you've got any more questions. Thanks.

Aww, thanks for these pointers mnhq. I hadn't seen those guidelines.

And thanks for comments.

I get what trollhunting is and why it creates this tension but I can't get the basic premise which is why people feel driven to troll in the first place. I must be naive, or I just don't have enough time on my hands.