Should there be an option to request the removal of a thread for 'dangerous misinformation'.

[ticktickticktickBOOM]

I feel that some of the threads about the riots are fuelling misinformation, driving division and becoming quite toxic and dangerous to communities.

It is time for a new look at the thread removal options?

That's a great article @ArabellaScott and it just proves what I said about how willingly we put our trust in people who seem authoritative and respectable, often without question.

This bit particularly hit home:

In the counter-intelligence world, this is what is known as a “wilderness of mirrors” – creating a chaotic information environment that so perfectly blends truth, half-truth and fiction that even the best can no longer tell what’s real and what’s not.

I see this method deployed SO often in politics and in the media. It's infuriating. Mainly because I know that the majority of people won't bother to pick it apart and examine it with a cynical eye.

I know other forums which have instituted a blanket ban on posts of "I heard they were rioting in X place tomorrow" and that's not a bad rule. It's also why I'm not naming where I am on my posts.

I agree with you on this.

In the counter-intelligence world, this is what is known as a “wilderness of mirrors” – creating a chaotic information environment that so perfectly blends truth, half-truth and fiction that even the best can no longer tell what’s real and what’s not.

Yes! It takes a meticulously researched and balanced long form argument to cut through this, and most people don't have the time or the patience.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-councillor-wife-far-right-hate-b2592271.html

Could you see this lady posting here? Because I totally could. Could you see her taking part in a riot? Her actions say it's likely.

I think MN do quite well, perhaps because there's space for more longform discussion, but also perhaps one could argue because they allow a relatively free exchange of ideas. In the long run, I think that's what is healthiest.

Yes I agree. You have to read the whole thing and you can't just lazily click "forward" and send it on, or repost (you have to be bothered to c&p, or quote and it looks weird if you simply do that with no comment), and you can't click an emoticon. We do have the "give thanks" option but they purposely made that totally unlike Facebook "likes" and for good reason.

I am seriously wary of attempts to shut down MN. And other platforms. I'd take the calls to shut other platforms down more seriously if people calling for it, had ever supported moves to make porn actually only accessible to over 18s, or to actually block access to images of child sexual abuse. Be under no illusion: if the government of the day wanted to do either of those to help protect women and children, it could and would.

But no. It's only free speech they're after.

I think maybe there could be a general message reminding people not to believe everything they read on the internet, not just regarding emotive threads about personal hardship.

The alleged actions of individuals on another platform don’t equate to a draconian, hardline “way out” of this. It won’t be a way out. It’ll be a route to more, and more serious, societal tensions.

But no I don’t generally believe that mumsnetters are typical of those taking part in disorder and I don’t believe anyone here seriously and honestly doesbelieve that.

I am asking seriously, why do you believe that? What is it about mumsnet that makes you think it would not attract people likely to riot? Too upper class, too female, too nice? Just stating over and over "I don't think anyone seriously believes that" isn't actually an argument.

The case in question is not reported to be on MN. And much more crucially right now, it's sub judice.

Nice try attempting to goad me into getting posts deleted but as you can see, I know what is and is not OK.

From some of the comments I've read on MN over the last few days, I do believe some from MN do agree with or are excusing the riots and maybe will even join in.
Whether they are regular MNetters or people just here to stir is debatable.

The second option is entirely possible. It's looking like Russia is involved again.

https://x.com/alexwickham/status/1821117387090936065

Russia? Not middle class mums then. Shocked I tell you.

...that wasn't goading. That was me posting something from a reputable source to back up my suspicion that actually yes, I do think some people on mumsnet are the type of people who might get involved. Because we're on a thread about whether posting misinformation is bad so posting reputable sources seems like a really good way not to be a hypocrite.

Except it was not allegedly even on mumsnet. Amazing.

I am asking seriously, why do you believe that? What is it about mumsnet that makes you think it would not attract people likely to riot? Too upper class, too female, too nice? Just stating over and over "I don't think anyone seriously believes that" isn't actually an argument.

The violent rioters are mostly men, with some female hangers on joining in. As is always the case. Do you think they actually go there without men they know? Come on.

Having spent a fair bit of time on X the previous night watching event unfold in Birmingham, with a lone men being set upon by gang outside a pub, the pub smashed up, groups of Muslim men sauntering past reporters, casual as you like, carrying machetes, lumps of wood and metal poles, and seeing cars blocked, their windows smashed in and their occupants dragged out and beaten up, I did feel I had woken up into some weird parallel universe or a dystopian fiction novel.

That man ended up in hospital with a lacerated liver. That’s ABH. I can’t see any info about arrests over this assault by Asian rioters. But then, the police weren’t there because they consulted local leaders and they’d said it’d be fine, so they didn’t send in any police.

If I only watched the BBC and only listened to Ed Balls on this morning, I wouldn’t know both sides. So, yep, I’ll be looking at other media too.

Ed Balls should step down from his presenting role. He’s unable to maintain a neutral stance. This morning he looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel. His wife is the Home Secretary, and he has an agenda and using his platform to manipulate what GMB cover. It’s unethical.

Oh my fucking god, Mumsnet and its fucking back to front feminism. Yes, just as women are capable of making every other decision in our lives we are also capable of making terrible decisions and doing awful things. Seeing as women have already been arrested, that there are photos of groups of women looting together like its a friendly female shopping outing and there are reports of women encouraging their kids to throw stones at police yes, women are capable of this. And yes, I can find sources of all of this but apparently me quoting my source is me somehow being goady.

And yes @ResisterOfTwaddleRex I can absolutely believe Russia are involved but no, it's not Russians out there setting cars on fire. This is what they do. They sit on online forums quietly stoking rumours of "I heard this" and "did you know they did that" and wait for the powder-keg to explode and other people to get hurt. It doesn't have to be mumsnet regulars starting the conversations for it to have an impact.

I repeat, whilst you ladies are sniffily repeating that those kind of people would never come to mumsnet and therefore it's not our problem and side-tracking into the Olympics and whatever else you want to side-track into, I have just watched what seems like every business local to me announce they're shutting for the day. I've had to put off a playdate with my kid and his best friend because they were going to go do a local activity and his mum is scared for him to go - and she's right to be. Do I seem upset? Scared? Angry? Because I am. Not because I'm being goady. Because this is my local area, because this is happening right now and because apparently it's less important that discussing the same boxing issue for the fiftieth time.

I'm going to leave this thread now because apparently you're seeing an actual plea to keep people safe as yet another opportunity for what-aboutism.

I agree. He should step down now. Actually interviewing his wife the other day was a step too far.

Seeing as women have already been arrested, that there are photos

If you're seriously claiming a significant proportion of the actual violence was from women, I'm not sure what to say, except bullshit. I'm not saying there weren't some women involved, and yes plenty of women support the rioters, that's clear on social media.

On all sides, rioting is mostly a male problem.

This line of discussion started as an unfounded attempt to smear women on Mumsnet @swg1 before you get too pious.

Yes, alongside perhaps some instructions on how to use cutlery safely.

On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog.

I take your point @ArabellaScott was just a suggestion