Get rid of the Laugh reaction

[LetsNCagain]

We don't need the Laugh reaction.
I've now only had it had used mockingly.

Specifically for example, in a thread where the op is upset about something and I gave a supportive message. Some loser gave me the Laugh emoji because they think op is being ridiculous and by extension, so am I for showing sympathy.

Mumsnet, please just get rid of it. If someone says a funny joke, the clap hands or thumbs up is perfectly adequate. The Laugh emoji is the only one that can be used in a mocking way

Edit to add Please!

Trolls get more respect than long time posters on here.

I think it's quite clear that when MNHQ introduced the extra reactions that they didn't anticipate people misusing the laugh one which was just meant to be "this is funny". I think the problem is that the reactions are private so you wouldn't necessarily get someone laughing at a post about mental health on Facebook because it's all public so this is a MN-specific issue.

I wouldn't use the current emoji because it's such a horrible looking one - it just oozes mockery rather than happy amusement. I wonder if something more like 😄 or 😃 would be more likely to be used appropriately rather than misused?

It’s the equivalent of this

Just adding myself to the ever increasing list of people who have been mocked this way for serious replies.

Hallo BIWI - we introduced Reactions based on MNer feedback as users wanted more ways to engage with posts. When we researched the idea for 'thanks' originally, one of the biggest concerns was that it would make threads more like a popularity contest, and so we kept the reactions hidden to all but the OP when we rolled out the new ones. Clearly, it's not on if posters are using the laugh to mock other posters and we'd consider this on a par with a personal attack or similar.

we introduced Reactions based on MNer feedback
Who provided this feedback?

Clearly, it's not on if posters are using the laugh to mock other posters and we'd consider this on a par with a personal attack or similar.

I promise you this is definitely happening, and frequently, no "if" about it. I'm glad to hear that it's not something that mumsnet wants to encourage!

Personally I think the laughing emoji is a net negative.

Before the rollout, you could just give "thanks" to funny posts. The poster would know what you meant.

It feels catty and underhanded to laugh privately at a user, even if they've said something deserving of scorn. If someone has a problem with someone else then they should be doing it in the open. Removing the react is less about sparing people's feelings and more about not actively encouraging the worst elements of online culture.

Yes Facebook has the laughing emojis, but they're public. It's not uncommon to see users tagging people who plop down inappropriate emojis and asking them to justify why they think it's funny.

I don't feel so strongly about the laugh react that I'll ceaselessly campaign for its removal, but there will always be users who love to be catty and passive-aggressive - why enable them further?

@BeckyAMumsnet

Hallo BIWI - we introduced Reactions based on MNer feedback as users wanted more ways to engage with posts. When we researched the idea for 'thanks' originally, one of the biggest concerns was that it would make threads more like a popularity contest, and so we kept the reactions hidden to all but the OP when we rolled out the new ones. Clearly, it's not on if posters are using the laugh to mock other posters and we'd consider this on a par with a personal attack or similar.

Yes, I know all that, and that's one of the reasons why I liked the 'hidden gratitude' aspect of the 'thanks' button.

I'm a bit perplexed, though, by the suggestion that people wanted 'more ways to engage with posts' - surely the best way to engage is to respond?! If you don't want to write anything there are already plenty of emojis people can use to express some kind of emotional response, thereby engaging with a thread/poster.

I just don't see the need for them, when - as I said earlier - we already have a myriad emojis to choose from.

And yes, you're right. It really is definitely not on for people to use 'laugh' maliciously. Definitely NITS and against TGs. Hopefully posters will report other posters who are doing that. But more hopefully, you'll get rid of the 'laugh' reaction altogether.

Even more hopefully you'll just revert to the single 'thanks' reaction. The others are redundant.

So have you done something about the 2 posters who where repeatedly doing it on my thread on every single thing I wrote

I never click on reactions left as I wouldn't know user names anyway, especially as they change on a regular basis. I just think it's nice that they bothered, thanks.

I don't look at poster's names as I read threads either. If I was asked to name three posters, I couldn't even name one. Maybe I'm not doing it right.

This. ^ @BeckyAMumsnet and @HebeMumsnet I think LOADS of posters have had a LOL-ing emoji used in a mocking manner. It's happened to me a few times, and it's happened to some posters a lot! As a pp said, could the LOL-ing one be replaced with a big smiley one like >>> 😃

As has been said, it's not a case of if it's happening. It definitely is.

The major difference though is that a personal attack can be seen by others posters and reported, often before the OP/poster has seen them which can save them from the intended hurt and upset - or other posters can pull them up for it so the OP/poster knows they’re being supported.

When did you ask posters if they wanted hidden emojis? I’m on here (far too) often and can’t remember seeing this.

and it is really difficult to report
you are wondering to yourself, is it genuine or sarcastic
and then you have to report your own post which doesnt feel right

I emailed mumsnet about it but that was over 6 hours ago and they've not responded so there not that bothered about stopping it

I really don't like the 'Anonymous user' aspect either - at least with named posters you know who you're dealing with and can avoid said posters if needed. Non-registered users being able to participate in this way, with no repercussions, feels really off.

I agree @Howbeit

Catching up on this thread and it feels like on balance the laugh emojis do need to go now, if the balance to be struck is a non specific ‘offer new ways to interact with posts’ vs reports of multiple posters on a site intended for parental support now being able to be harassed in a way that others on the same thread can’t see or report.

There’s definitely something problematic about the quick and easy emoji that encourages shitty responses. It’s not like the same posters are experiencing a load of inbox hassle at the same time of nasty DMs from these people who like to bully.

I liked the private thanks emoji. That felt supportive. I haven’t heard of it being misused. Could that be reinstated and all other emojis scrapped?

They are registered users. They just don't have a name. Not sure how that happens though.

It seems a huge risk, non registered users can leave emojis? Non registered users shouldn’t be able to react online to the site at all surely?
MN needs to be a ‘read only’ site for anyone who doesn’t want to sign up. For the protection of the MN environment for those registered users who do produce content for the site by posting.

That is a good suggestion. Keep the thanks, get rid of the others.

Then why would anyone care if it were being used by someone so stupid?

To be fair it’s the weekend, and they have fewer staff online. It took 18 hours for the thread to be deleted, and it should have been gone by this morning.

How can you assume that the person being laughed at is mentally robust enough to not care? Lots of vulnerable people post on here.