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!

Yep, I've had the laughing emoji used 'at me'.

Tickled me though.

Is the laugh becoming the new biscuit?

Yeah

I have no problem with laugh reaction

If someone wants to be catty they'll find a way to do it anonymously such as name change. If you can't ignore the arseholes then social media is perhaps not for you

If someone wants a forum where the emoji reaction count is visible, there are other forums for this where up votes and down votes are counted.

Mumsnet isn't (or never used to be) that kind of forum.

Because, crucially, I assume they subscribe to the view that the value/worth of an argument or statement is not measured in how many people agree with it, but with its intrinsic meaning/truth (and to some extent, the way it's expressed).

I personally subscribe to this view.

And I don't want, say, lots of irrelevant parties coming on here upvoting and downvoting to try and promote certain opinions, without having to do the labour of justifying them, and creating coherent counter-arguments that we can read and consider.

This is separate to my worry about secretly mocking upset ops.

No. The thumbs up and clap are frequently used as sarcastic mocking. Everything is now. Getting rid of one doesn't change the problem.
Many people generally don't use the thumbs up for anything other than sarcasm.

There are a lot of vulnerable new mums on mumsnet who come on here for support. It was a lifeline for me when I had PPD. Similarly women looking to escape DV. They do not have the headspace to be reporting private trolling. If it is public, we can do it for them.

Mumsnet IS for those women. I'm sure the founder would agree with me.

If someone wants to be catty they'll find a way to do it anonymously such as name change.

That's a bit harder now you can only use one name per thread. And if it's nasty enough to be reported, MNHQ can see the other usernames.

Maybe these 'reactions' should be limited to AIBU and Chat, and disabled elsewhere - especially on Relationships, SN, and other such boards?

I think you’re being silly.
Unfortunately, you will always get rude people on here or people who just disagree with you.

I think giving rude replies is much worse than a laughing emoji.

There are also so many funny posters and it takes up the thread laughing at their comment and so a laughing emoji is a great addition.

Excellent idea.

I agree that the emojis should stay private though, else you’ll get posters just commenting for the ‘likes’.

There are also so many funny posters and it takes up the thread laughing at their comment and so a laughing emoji is a great addition.

Thanks applied to a funny post works fine. I quite like earning an odd grin but not at the expense of vulnerable posters being entirely needlessly upset.

Yes I think that would be a decent compromise

Turning into netmums

I agree with you napody

Positive encouragement is one thing and a quick click if you haven't time to post at that moment is a great option, thank you MNHQ.

However, anything that can be used behind the scenes to upset or degrade shouldn't be an option.

I like it. I like having different reactions than just a thumbs up. And it will hopefully reduce the posts that take up space with a single emoji.
Take replies with a pinch of salt and move on.

That’s a really good idea.

I love all the new reactions. @MNHQ please keep!

I agree @LetsNCagain No need for the reactions at all IMO, and I can't see where anyone has ever actually asked for them. A thumbs up for LIKE, or a hugging/heart emoji to show you care; both are fine. No need for the clapping emoji either, the 'like/thumbs up' one is sufficient.

So in short, a heart emoji is fine, and a thumbs up one would be OK.

However, there is no point in having any at all really. The THANKS button was fine.

I have previously had posts some days that have quite a number of 'thanks..' Some of my posts don't get any, but on the ones that do, I have around 3 to 7 'likes' on average, and I have had some posts that have about 15 or more. I'm sure many posters have experienced the same. Since this introduction of emojis, I am getting virtually none. 3 is the most I have got on any particular post. Most have had none, or just 1.

I get some favourable responses to some of my posts, but very few 'likes' or 'thanks' or reaction of any kind, and I think it's because people genuinely CBA now.

I agree. The 'laugh' emoji option needs binning. In fact, just bring back the 'thanks' button (or a 'like' one.)

.

You should use the app instead. No emojis whatsoever so you can stay in blissful ignorance 😆

Sorry, I meant reactions, not emojis

Also no edit button on the app...

I agree totally - the 'funny' emoji is just what sarky people love I should imagine.

I was thinking about that statement "if you can't ignore the arseholes then social media is not for you"

Who is Mumsnet meant to be for? Is it meant to be for

a) those hardy resilient types who can ignore the arseholes, more power to them
b) those vulnerable women, new mums with ppd, victims of DV who have lost sight of what's acceptable, who perhaps can't ignore the arseholes
c) the arseholes

I am of the strong opinion that Mumsnet should be "for" category B first and foremost, then A, and not at all "for" the arseholes.

@mnhq Have I got that all wrong? Is mumsnet only for those who "can ignore the arseholes"?

When a new mum is worrying about her breastfeeding latch in the middle of the night, is mumsnet for her? Or not, because she can't ignore the arseholes?

I'm getting a bit angry now I must admit