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!

I got a deliberately inappropriate ‘laugh’ on a different thread. MN haven't reacted to my report. The laugh is still there. If it is a personal attack and we report and it stands, that’s not OK. MN either don’t agree with me on what a personal attack looks like. or they haven’t looked into it. but I don’t see how the reaction from mods should be anything but to delete, in every single report of a personal attack by emoji. Because these are all posted secretly.

It’s not like an inappropriate post which I’ve taken offence to, that the mods can leave up because they feel it’s adding to the discussion. Or they are concerned that deleting will make holes in the thread. Honestly, it just seems easier to get rid of these emojis.

I think it makes the thread a friendlier place

I’d been thinking that I wish there was a 😢 or a 💔, but am now realising that those could equally be used passive aggressively too, so perhaps not.

Disagree. Please keep it as I like showing appreciation when someone makes a funny post. And I love it when people laugh at my humour.

😂 is just as easy to do and isn’t hidden - so if I laugh at a sensitive post by a vulnerable poster I show myself publicly to be a dock and it can be reported by others, rather than requiring that vulnerable poster to report their own post in order for the hidden laugh to be removed.

The app version I use tells me if there is a reaction but not what it is but so I live in happy ignorance.

Between that and covert bullying I’d prefer the minor annoyance.

It's a bit annoying especially if it's a long post.
People used to just @ the username followed by a or or whatever - and before even the @ existed you'd just write the name, or an abbreviation thereof and bold it followed by the relevant emoticon. Not exactly difficult!

On this thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5284633-do-you-back-zelensky-or-do-you-back-putin-and-trump-poll

a poster who is anti zelensky and pro trump laughed at the OP's post 1/3/25 at 08:47 in which she wrote
"This isn't Zelensky's war. WE are at war with Russia. We are just fucking lucky that it is playing out in Ukraine (for now) and not on our own doorsteps.
If we back off and allow Russia to win this bit in Ukraine, do you think that ends Russia's war? Do you think that's where Putin's ambitions end? Do you think he will leave us alone?"

When challenged by the OP s/he wrote "Because that's all it deserves."

I think it's really disappointing that mumsnet has dumbed down to the extent that these laughter emojis are now permitted to be used in a mocking way by people who aren't bright enough to formulate a response.

Adding my voice to the posters asking MNHQ to get rid of the laughing emoji. It's being so misused by some posters who are using it only to mock.

@SequoiaTree - am assuming that the “laugh” reaction was made openly in a post on that thread? If so, I don’t have so much of a problem with it. That type of response is there for all to see and can be openly challenged on the thread.

The issue being highlighted here is that people are using the “laugh” (one of four available options) on the “react” option to posts. These are only seen, privately, by the person who made a comment. This means that a poster can receive “mocking” reactions in private. It’s cowardly and shitty.

It pisses me off that some posters are utilising it in this way. Because I like to use the four reactions as intended. To show your reaction to a post in a succinct way without clogging up the thread.

But it’s a tale as old as time (and me!) that shitty people will use shitty and cowardly means to be arseholes to others - never quite brave enough to put themselves out there with the conviction of their thoughts.

No. It was done privately. The OP did a screenshot. That's how I know. At least when it's done publicly other people can see they are being a twat and call them out on it.

The issue being highlighted here is that people are using the “laugh” (one of four available options) on the “react” option to posts. These are only seen, privately, by the person who made a comment. This means that a poster can receive “mocking” reactions in private. It’s cowardly and shitty.

Yes, I understand that. That's why i posted about someone doing exactly that on this thread. This thread is about people doing it privately to mock.

Just to add, I’m really annoyed by this. I gave my support ipthread and totally understand why this thread has been raised.

But it pisses me off that shitty people are affecting what, effectively, is a benign way of interacting with posts. I definitely agree with the “reactions” being seen only by the poster - it stops the “who has the most likes” element of SM.

Am coming round to the thought of ignoring idiots who use it in the wrong way. I know troll hunting on here is forbidden, but maybe an acceptable solution would be that anyone who receives an appropriate “laugh’ is permitted to post a screenshot on the thread. That way, people might think twice.

Either make them public or get rid of them. They add nothing to MN.

@SequoiaTree - ah, ok, apologies for my misunderstanding.

Yeah that was me, I wasn't having any of it.

Interestingly, I've just noted the OP of that thread now also has a laughing emoji. The OP is "I dunno what I'm starting this thread for, tbh. I just really, really felt like I wanted to click a button saying I support Zelensky and reject Trump and Putin tonight."

It's from 'Anonymous user' which means that it is someone who is not logged in.

Which means that people can 'laugh' at people's post in a malicious way with absolutely zero accountability.

This absolutely shouldn't be allowed to happen, @BeckyAMumsnet

It's probably the same person after being told off by mumsnet for doing it.

Well that would be an extremely embarrassing thing for an adult to do.

Yes. I don't think the people who do this are the brighter half of the population.

Doee anyone know if there been an update on this yet? I've recently contributed on threads to do with the cuts to PIP where there are a lot of very distressed people fearing for their futures and those of their loved ones. Fortunately I am not in a particulatly vulnerable place, but I'm angry for those who may be, and are on the receiving end of such an insulting lack of empathy as to be anonymously laughed at in this way. I thought mn was better than this.

I don't think mumsnet care, or they'd have got rid of it by now.

Just had another one of these. If you want to say something do it on the thread you coward.

Have you reported @JaneJeffer?

No @BIWI I asked them what was so funny on the thread instead

It's gone!!