We really need the option to block users

[AnnaNotherOne]

I know MNHQ for some reason are adamant that this isn’t something that’s necessary but I strongly disagree.

There are so many posters who never ever add anything to a conversation and I would appreciate being able to screen their comments out completely. One poster in particular has been getting right on my tits lately, constantly calling every poster “girl”. It’s irritating and patronising and I don’t want to see it.

When will this be revisited and implemented?

"When will this be revisited and implemented?" Never. The reasons why have been explained on other threads asking for this.

Also, I get that it's irritating (I agree) but blocking someone for calling people "girl" seems like an overreaction. It's a very common colloquialism. I find when I get like that, I just need a break from the internet.

When? I suppose if every poster wanted it and stopped using mumsnet until it was done.

But most people either don't care or don't want it.

Considering how upset people get when posters express views they simply do not like, to the point that the laugh emoji had to be removed due to people using it sarcastically to posters. I disagree.

There is already a reporting system. If MN do not remove a poster it is usually because they are simply expressing a view the OP doesn't agree with.

I say this as someone who is a very long time user of MN who has received very direct, rude and even disgustingly abusive replies at times. I've even had abuse in my inbox on a couple rare occasions. Each time the poster/user was reported and dealt with. So I am not dismissing how irritating or upsetting some posters can be. But that is the risk you take coming on a free speech platform. You can also hide threads themselves.

If MN gave this option, then OPs would use it to block posters who comments they just do not like or do not agree with them. Or for using monikers they do not like.

There should be the option to mute, like another site I use. You can just simply screen out their comments. I don’t see the harm in allowing a block function either, it’s available on places like Reddit and has no impact on your use of the site.

I kinda agree with not muting posters - I can disagree with a poster on one thread and agree on another, I have often changed my mind over the course of a thread.

The ones that completely wreck my head though are the ones that derail. OP says she has problem X, around circumstance A, B & C. someone comments on B and then another poster disagrees - and they go ON & ON, BACK & FORTH, ad nauseum. So you are trying to read a thread about X but you have to read through all the SH1TE about B. Pleading from other posters makes no difference - they are entitled to contribute to the conversation. But you are NOT contributing to the conversation. I've abandoned threads over this. I'd love to mute those derailers. Start your own thread if you feel so strongly about B.

It would be bizarre, there would be bits of threads missing with quotes from people who you've blocked so you can't see. Where would it end? I don't want an echo chamber. Even if a poster is rude just report the post. Nobody is so universally awful they need blocking from what I've seen on here. Except maybe AidaP.

I only want to block my poster from me - like some threads. Not from the entire thread. Happy to see 'this is from a user you blocked'

I don't think this should be implemented at all. Everyone has different views, this is a forum to share them. People who have asked questions or want advice look for a range of responses. Some of those responses will resonate with them, some will not. Just because you don't like them it doesn't mean they are not useful or meaningful to the OP.

This is what happens on tattle. You just mute/block someone and you don’t see what they post.

I've no problem hearing views I don't agree with. Mumsnet has some very odd views- Is 'no' really a compete sentence IRL? Is it really morally reprehensible to expect inheritance from wealthy parents?
Some derailment is fine - that is how conversation flows. But the dogged, beligerent off topic posting, whilst ignoring pleas to stop - I may as well go on a news site and hear Trump's latest microthought

Is that the site from Northern Ireland that has had loads of drama - I've never been on it

So the person posting presumably no idea their comments are being blocked?

That would really put me off the site.

The comments aren’t blocked. You can still comment on threads like normal. But if another user has blocked you, they just don’t see those comments.

So say if I blocked you, I’d just get a message saying “this comment is from a user you’ve blocked”, and I can choose whether to look at it or not. It doesn’t affect your ability to comment.

There’s about 4 people I’d block right off the bat, but I’m sure that equally there’s 4 people who would block me. Live and let live I say.

Well that’s fine, the OP can still read them. But you (if you’ve blocked them) can’t.

Agree I’d like that function. I can’t really see a downside at all. I regularly see people saying ‘just ignore them if they’re trying to derail/whatever’ - how is that any different to blocking? It doesn’t impact the thread, it just means you have the ability to ignore them in advance.

And if someone has the ability to be so nasty that I notice them in more than one thread then I’m not interested in anything they have to say really.

Hello @AnnaNotherOne we do understand the appeal of this - we appreciate not all posters are going to get along...

The reason we’ve never rushed to introduce a block function isn’t because we think everyone should just grin and bear it when they're annoyed by someone, but because it tends to have some unintended side effects. Threads might start to look a bit baffling if people are replying to posts others can’t see, conversations lose their shape, and it can make it harder (for both users and us) to follow what’s actually going on.

All that said, we do understand why people ask for it (and it’s something we keep under review rather than ruling out entirely.)

In the meantime, if someone’s posts cross the line into being needlessly antagonistic, do report them and we’ll take a look.

MNHQ

It absolutely can have impacts on other users on Reddit - exactly as many mods predicted when the current version of the block function was introduced.

Its especially a problem in smaller and medium sized subs where one or two opinionated posters can manipulate the group discussion with the block function.

Its less of an issue on very large subs but most subs are not in that category.

@BeckyAMumsnet Threads might start to look a bit baffling if people are replying to posts others can’t see, conversations lose their shape, and it can make it harder (for both users and us) to follow what’s actually going on.

If you have blocked users you will be able to see that the comment is by someone you’ve blocked as it’ll say “this comment is by a user you’ve blocked” so why would it look baffling?

Just say to @AnnaNotherOne ”lol no we’re not doing that shit” and I honestly think you won’t look so foolish.

That is what I meant but phrased badly.

I simply wouldn't engage with MN as much. What on earth is the point of replying to a thread on a public platform, when the OP can just 'mute' your contribution? Especially if it goes against the advice they want to hear?

I'd start sticking to 'safe' threads. Woolly jumpers, TV addicts, Christmas, etc. At least you'd be virtually guaranteed that the OP won't be randomly muting you.

The OP shouldn't be able to block a poster from the thread. Just from their personal view.

I really don't see blocking a poster you don't like as a positive at all. It smacks of total narrow mindedness that you can't bare to read an opinion that you disagree with OP.

There are a couple of regular posters who irritate me profoundly and generally speaking I have a totally different view point from them. But I think actually being reminded that there ARE other view points to the one I hold is a good thing. And a rare occasion I have actually had to acknowledge they have made a valid point.

The other thing is it can't work if people you've blocked name change. Otherwise you could use it strategically to figure out if poster A is also poster B.

With mumsnet being somewhat unusual in that name changing is encouraged, I can't see how it could deliver what people who want it are after.

Agree

@GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut it's really easy to do - it's the user who is blocked, not the username. When you NC you are still the same unique user from the MN perspective.

Example I use - I'm on another site where they do it, now I think someone is saying Reddit do it... the only person I've blocked on the other site is a guy who doesn't believe that depression and anxiety exist.

So he is full of "helpful" suggestions on the threads where people are talking about their medication for example. It's very easy to stay just on the right side of the line where no one can accuse you of having said anything offensive.

But I don't want to read his long screeds so I just block him

When I read a thread, it's blanked out, and I don't have to scroll down because it's just one line that's blanked out so I know there's a post by someone I don't read.

So no effect on the rest of the thread at all.

The site belongs to MN. If they don't want to do it, that's fair enough. I'm unclear why they don't just say so though.

Good point.