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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Please, please, please can we have a feature to block individual posters

125 replies

RudsyFarmer · 06/09/2023 11:24

Honestly I can’t believe how aggressive some of the posters on the site are. Pure anger pouring forth regularly. I am not expecting MN to ban any posters based on their vitriol, but can we at least have an option not to see their posts?

And yes I know I can leave before a divisive ChatBot comes and helpfully posts this on the thread.

OP posts:
KayaToastConnoisseur · 08/09/2023 18:14

AromanticSpices · 08/09/2023 18:01

That sounds more workable. I'm interested as to under which conditions you would hit the 'expand' button?

Tons of posters already can't follow what a thread is saying so 'it not really making sense' wouldn't be that much of a prompt for some....!

Would their messages also be hidden when people quote-reply, in a similar way to deleted messages?

The way I visualise it, even in quote replies, there will be an "expand" button in lieu of their post.

I would hit the "expand" button if said poster is part of a discussion chain that interests me. That way I can still follow the conversation if I want.

Alycidon · 08/09/2023 18:15

For reasons stated by pps, blocking the user account would compromise anonymity. Much as I'm not in favour of blocking username, it would be preferable to that - I would be tempted to flounce if that happened.

AcrossthePond55 · 08/09/2023 18:16

I mentioned upthread I'd rather have the option to 'hide this post' or 'hide this user on this thread'. I haven't had a problem with nasty posters (well very very few), but there have been posts on threads in certain subjects that have been very upsetting personally. Not that the poster was necessarily aiming it at me or even continued in the same vein, but it was upsetting just the same. Being able to make that particular post 'disappear' from my view would be nice. And if the poster continued in the same vein it would be great to make their posts on that thread go bye bye. Because I've been upset by someone on one thread and yet in another thread found their words to be wise, or even comforting.

That would solve the problem (I think) of making that poster completely disappear forever via blocking them on 'everything'. You'd be able to select the issue/remark/poster and keep or 'disappear' them at will without completely blocking them 'into oblivion' forever.

KayaToastConnoisseur · 08/09/2023 18:17

Alycidon · 08/09/2023 18:06

I'm struggling to see how the 'ignore' would be materially different from the 'block'.

For me the difference is that "ignore" merely collapses the posts from that username instead of hiding it entirely. Once the post is collapsed, if I really want to read what the poster has said, e.g. if someone else has an interesting response to said poster and I wanted to know what exactly they're replying to, I can click "expand" and their post would be visible again to me.

Easystuff · 08/09/2023 18:42

I have had some really nasty replies in the past. But its very rare that I report as I like the comment to stay.

I feel that blocking complicates things. When other posters are replying to the blocked poster.

RudsyFarmer · 08/09/2023 18:52

AcrossthePond55 · 08/09/2023 18:16

I mentioned upthread I'd rather have the option to 'hide this post' or 'hide this user on this thread'. I haven't had a problem with nasty posters (well very very few), but there have been posts on threads in certain subjects that have been very upsetting personally. Not that the poster was necessarily aiming it at me or even continued in the same vein, but it was upsetting just the same. Being able to make that particular post 'disappear' from my view would be nice. And if the poster continued in the same vein it would be great to make their posts on that thread go bye bye. Because I've been upset by someone on one thread and yet in another thread found their words to be wise, or even comforting.

That would solve the problem (I think) of making that poster completely disappear forever via blocking them on 'everything'. You'd be able to select the issue/remark/poster and keep or 'disappear' them at will without completely blocking them 'into oblivion' forever.

Could live with that.

OP posts:
MolyHacaroni · 08/09/2023 19:27

If you block someone, it's a two-way block. Both of you cannot see each other. If you "Ignore" someone, then you cannot see them but they can see you. I think Ignore is useless. Blocking is better.

Also, blocking by username only, not account, is good enough because many people post differently with different usernames. That I block someone's username because they were being horrible for example, doesn't mean I need to block their other username if I see them (which I wouldn't know) because they could be nice on a different post or saying something we both agree with.

So it's simply blocking someone when you don't want to read what they have to say. You may choose to unblock after a while too, especially if you blocked to cool down after a fight or something.

AromanticSpices · 09/09/2023 10:21

If you block someone, it's a two-way block. Both of you cannot see each other.

Can you imagine the carnage? I block you, then you can't see what I post so I make stuff up about you (eg saying you've been on other threads being racist or caught lying/sockpuppeting about a story/boasting about trolling on other sites/ I know you in real life etc/ your story doesn't add up because xyz), and you don't even know I've said any of it!?

FiveShelties · 09/09/2023 10:25

gamerchick · 06/09/2023 13:43

Dont see how that can happen without suspending name changing.

Which I would welcome tbh.

Me too.

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2023 20:43

I can see the attraction of hide poster but I wouldn't use it - I used to be on another forum that had the feature and I always peeked anyway. But if it makes some poster's experience better and doesn't affect anyone else then I'm not against it.

I can also see that it could provide useful feedback for moderators if a particular poster is attracting a lot of 'hides', as long as decisions to ban are still made carefully and by humans. There must be nothing approaching automatic banning based on the number of hides or it will be abused.

I would be strongly against a block poster function - i.e. if you block someone they also cannot see your posts. That's one of the worst things about twitter. It creates echo chambers and unneccessary aggro.

HebeMumsnet · 11/09/2023 10:41

Just popping back to say we're still reading and are discussing this as an idea. In the meantime, don't forget you can 'hide' whole threads and topics if you want to. That might help if something has particularly got under your skin.

Hawkins0009 · 11/09/2023 19:01

HebeMumsnet · 11/09/2023 10:41

Just popping back to say we're still reading and are discussing this as an idea. In the meantime, don't forget you can 'hide' whole threads and topics if you want to. That might help if something has particularly got under your skin.

it seems some posters would rather make a point on the thread and argue then complain about the tone of the thread rather than just hiding the thread originally.

AcrossthePond55 · 12/09/2023 01:44

HebeMumsnet · 11/09/2023 10:41

Just popping back to say we're still reading and are discussing this as an idea. In the meantime, don't forget you can 'hide' whole threads and topics if you want to. That might help if something has particularly got under your skin.

But that's what I'd like to avoid. I hide topics I'm not interested in at all. But within topics I do like there can be threads I'm enjoying or feel I'm contributing to in a good way, but then 'a post happens' that I find upsetting or offensive. The post may not 'break talk guidelines', but just that what they said is upsetting/offensive to me in a personal way. It would be nice to be able to 'hide/block' that particular post, but not the poster, from my view and continue on with the thread.

Easystuff · 12/09/2023 11:13

I don't get how it would work. If person A replies to me and says really nasty stuff. I then block person A. Person A&B start having a debate . I can see there's still a madness going on. Only I have half a story. And the thread may end up making no sense

ItsNotRocketSalad · 12/09/2023 11:26

Easystuff · 12/09/2023 11:13

I don't get how it would work. If person A replies to me and says really nasty stuff. I then block person A. Person A&B start having a debate . I can see there's still a madness going on. Only I have half a story. And the thread may end up making no sense

Edited

Yes, that's how it works. If the irritating poster has derailed the thread (as they often do) then the thread might be a lost cause to you.

Or there might still be interesting discussion from those who aren't engaging with Poster A. And that's where the block function helps.

RantyAnty · 02/11/2023 12:53

I'd love a block feature. Most other platforms have it.
Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook.

How it would work is that all names from the email address they signed up with would be blocked.

It would only block them for the person doing the blocking and it doesn't affect anyone else.

Cowlover89 · 02/11/2023 12:53

Would love this!

AromanticSpices · 02/11/2023 13:20

RantyAnty · 02/11/2023 12:53

I'd love a block feature. Most other platforms have it.
Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook.

How it would work is that all names from the email address they signed up with would be blocked.

It would only block them for the person doing the blocking and it doesn't affect anyone else.

As explained previously, this would remove the ability to effectively name change.

There is a difference in social media that centres around one person's "feed" and a forum that is a public discussion, which is why blocking is suitable for Twitter etc but wouldn't make sense for MN. No-one would be seeing the same conversation.

We already have people not reading the posts that are actually there and filling up the threads with pointless questions that have been answered!

EasternStandard · 02/11/2023 13:22

I don’t mind so much except for the couple of posters who feel they need to quote me on every sodding thread.

I could go without their input entirely.

gamerchick · 02/11/2023 13:23

Maybe people could be given the choice. To have a block function but they can't name change ever again, or leave it as it is.

ItsNotRocketSalad · 02/11/2023 22:35

There is a difference in social media that centres around one person's "feed" and a forum that is a public discussion, which is why blocking is suitable for Twitter etc but wouldn't make sense for MN. No-one would be seeing the same conversation.

The vast majority of forums like Mumsnet have block functions, and have done since forums became popular back in the 2000s. All block functions have limitations but to say they're unsuitable for forums is silly.

PencilsInSpace · 03/11/2023 00:21

I don't think there are many forums like MN. There are certainly not many that have not only survived but grown immensely since the 2000's. The vast majority of forums have not survived or thrived. It would be silly to copy them.

I agree with @AromanticSpices - blocks might work on twitter or fb, where they create echo chambers and ramp up any contentious issue to extremes, but I don't think they work on forums.

ToesInTheWater · 03/11/2023 00:42

As much as I wish some posters would fuck off, I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Report them and if they break guidelines their post will be deleted. My understanding is that if they continuously break guidelines, they’ll be banned.

If mumsnet don’t see them as enough of a problem, and I couldn’t deal with reading their posts, it just ignore them, I’d think mumsnet isn’t the place for me. Forums are always going to have people on that are twats.

I’m finding it funny that there are posters on this thread in favour of the blocking feature, that I’m sure a lot of people would be blocking straight away if this feature does become a thing mumsnet does offer. Some of them are so bad that they may end up with no one seeing their posts. 🤣

TreesAtSea · 03/11/2023 19:01

I'd like this feature. I seldom get involved in controversial threads and haven't been on the receiving end of anything actually nasty, but find the sheer unpleasantness of some posters on threads I'm not even on stays with me. Of course I can hide threads and topics and sometimes do, but it's a shame to feel I have to stay away from otherwise interesting and valuable discussions just because of one or two posters out to get a reaction.

ReamsOfCheese · 03/11/2023 20:32

The thing is, this can't safely work on this site as it is.

As @AromanticSpices has clearly and exhaustively pointed out, with additional explanations from other posters, there are people who trawl MN to publicly out other people and they go to great lengths on some threads. I remember a couple of really high profile threads started by previously prolific posters who had been on MN for years and some people went out of their way to trollhunt them and it got so bad that the last 200 or so posts on the final thread in both cases were just trollhunters and ultimately, threads got deleted and OPs either namechanged or got banned (IDK).

An awful lot of people forget that MN is a public forum and that doesn't just mean it's open to anyone to sign up, but literally anyone can read anything posted on here. Every single discussion is searchable in Google. Every username. And literally anyone can join. Anyone with a vested interest in outing someone could use the "block" and "unblock" functions to test carefully, patiently, on anyone they wanted to target.

If they block the account, they can find people. When they block Sue's account, they block all her other usernames. They could find out that Sue, who posts in property about which house should she buy in her local area, is also Marieee, a GC feminist, and narrow down the town (or exact house, if she bought something she posted on property) she lives in.

She is also ChocolateCake1986 (her birth year) who posts on Style and Beauty. By tracing her style and beauty posts, they could find out she is blonde because she has posted on a thread about best shampoo for blondes. They can find out what coat she wears because she posted "which coat is stylish this winter?" Now they have a vague idea of what she looks like.

She also posts as PowerLiftingMum. They now know what sport she does. They can find out she does running or goes to a gym from her fitness posts. That she gardens.

She also posts as CrystalTips on the Pregnancy boards where she supports women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum or 3rd degree tears. How many women tick all of these boxes?

They now know what she looks like, what hobbies she does, and where she lives. And if they want to harm her, she is now in big trouble. Imagine her abusive ex, or a rabid TRA, or a controlling father who wants to marry her to someone back home and is ashamed of her western life, finds her and hurts her. These people have the time and patience to track her down.

If there is a way for people to follow breadcrumbs around MN to out people, some people will use it for very dangerous purposes, either to destroy their political opponents (TRAs), to ruin someone they don't like by tracking down their employer, to track down an ex who they can't control anymore, or to keep tabs on a relative they are NC with, and some of us will have to not only stop using the site and delete our accounts, but potentially ask MN to delete everything we ever posted over a number of years since we first registered. That will be a huge job for MNHQ to delete all that stuff for every person who needs to be safe.

I think the only way this would work would be if MN became a private forum where people couldn't read threads unless they were registered users with a password. And where people weren't allowed to NC without setting up a second account under another email address (which is almost impossible to police).

I don't think people realise how dangerous this thing is that they are asking for. Or they are so complacent this will never happen to them.

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