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 think the only threads I’ve seen made mostly of emojis are the ‘guess the film title’ ones.
you know - 👰👰👰👰‍♂️⚰️ type of thing

That’s true! They’re good ones, I do like them.

Been here for a very long time too, there are many posts where I and I suspect many others respond with an emoji when they would otherwise not post for exactly the reason you give, not wanting to fill the thread up while still wanting to acknowledge a post.

I have had many posts where I get 10-15 emoji reactions and it is good to know I haven't being posting into an echo chamber. The emojis encourage posters, especially new posters, to engage with the forum as they know their posts are being read.

The site was moving on with emojis, they are a valid way of interacting the same as written posts are, and the same as written posts can be moderated via reporting. Removing them instead of dealing with the issues through moderation, is a lazy response from MN and a backwards step for the site.

Because if I am late to a particularly amusing thread I was finding the laugh emoji quite a nice way to acknowledge posters amusing efforts without losing my space on the page. If I quote someone then I am auto on the last page now. I’m not going to go back. And what if there’s multiple people I want to laugh with. You really don’t want me quoting them all 18 pages in times everyone else doing the same.

Sad we can’t have nice things. Because people.

They have been moderating them - the poster who’s on the receiving end of one that mocks has to report their own post and then MN follows their usual moderation process. A pain in the bum for the person who has to report it - and I’m sure the fact that it’s hidden bullying makes it sting all the more. If that’s the most engaging those a-holes ever do on MN then it’s better they scurry off back to other platforms where they can belittle and bully in private to their heart’s content.

Emojis are still very much available for those people who don’t want to use their words - and it’s very easy to scroll by. The number of threads where there are so many it’s easy to lose track of the discussion is very small.

I haven't found people use it like that. I've only had it to mock baby name suggestions i've made etc

Agree with all this, I’ve certainly read threads in the past which were a high percentage emojis (mostly in AIBU or Chat) and the apparent refusal to consider options makes no sense. You can address the “hidden bullying” by making the laugh emoji public (or all of them). You could restrict some emojis from particular topics. As you say, most modern forums manage this.

I find the alacrity with which an emoji is banned because some people were misusing it distinctly at odds with the stock response when reporting eg racist or disablist posts when we are told “its best to argue it on the thread” aka justify our own existence. The equivalent here would be to tell recipients to out the posters misusing the emoji and challenge them on the thread.

I’ve reported racist, disablist and ageist posts and tbf to MN they have (rightly) been deleted.

Banning the hidden laughter emoji simply means that posters who want to mock or laugh at someone now have to use their words, use their phone’s emojis or use the ones in the text box. I would hate for someone who’s posted about a very sensitive or upsetting topic to not only be faced with a hidden emoji but also then have to challenge them on the thread.

Why can’t people just like the funny posts if they want to put an emoji on them? Why does it specifically have to be a laugh?

Well there isn't even a 'like' any more, just Agree, Thanks & Love. (But I do agree with your point!).

Well there isn't even a 'like' any more

There never was a like!

That was the whole reason for introducing the 'hidden gratitude’ feature. Which then morphed into the four reactions.

And MNHQ didn’t move with ‘alactrity’. They’ve been monitoring malicious usage of the ‘laugh’ reaction for some time, to make their decision whether to remove it or not.

I very much disagree @NoTouch that it’s a backward move. It’s very much within the spirit of MN to ensure that posts/posters are being supportive to other MNetters. Malicious (and hidden) posting, which was happening evidently so much, is definitely NITS of the site.

But no consideration of alternative options (which other sites manage perfectly well) and its inconsistent with the responses to posters reporting experience of *isms who are told to battle it out on the thread.

Our mileage varies considerably then. HQ have even said publicly in response that they prefer issues to be argued out on threads.

I agree with you on the ‘isms’. Although I do think there’s a big difference between stuff written on threads, i.e. for all to see, and the (malicious) use of a reaction that can only be read by the recipient.

This could be solved by making the emojis visible.

If it’s on the thread for all to see, other posters can challenge and report. That’s the main point really.

Oh I basically see them all as ‘like’ as there’s no real distinguishing between them. People seem to use them interchangeably anyway.

God no.

Look how many more likes my post got than yours, I’m right you’re wrong, I’m the best, you’re the worst etc etc.

Yes I agree

I don't know about anyone else but I never even know if any posts receive any reactions anyway as I don't ever bother to look at the top right button which is permanently on "50+", never think there is anything of interest there. I do think the value of reactions is more in showing people what's a popular or unpopular perspective, rather than being a 121 communication.
(Obviously completely appreciate that other people MN differently to me!).

I'm glad mumsnet has removed it but I hardly think you can call 6 months a rushed decision!

I agree - a visible emoji or dickish post can be called out by other posters, rather than the OP (who might be feeling quite battered by the secretive mocking) having to do it.

I’m glad it’s gone. MN can be an unnecessarily vicious place at times, there’s no need to add to it.

I can’t see any reactions on the mobile site now because it flings you to the last post if you click on the notification.

there isnt even a Like

I don't think anyone really distinguishes between the three remaining. They can all mean like.