Posts by vulnerable users containing identifying information

[Venger]

This thread here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3751307-Update-about-me?pg=1&order=

While it's great that this poster is doing so well, I am concerned about the amount of identifying information being disclosed by someone who is so vulnerable.

From the details posted about the cats and posting his real name I now know the name of the cat cafe, the names of several adults known to him, and where he lives. If I was a bad person I could very easily make contact with him claiming to be "a friend of " and start earning his trust.

That is scary shit right there and luckily I am a good person but not everyone is.

The talk guidelines state:

However, on rare occasions where there appears to be a clear need to safeguard the welfare of a Mumsnetter and/or his/her family, it may be necessary to contact relevant authorities about a clearly identifiable member and his/her posts on Mumsnet.

And I really think this applies here. Someone needs to sit him down and explain e-safety, they then need to be supervising his internet use more closely.

Thanks, I’ll just go and check it out.

As a family they have always been very open on MN. Wilf has practically grown up on MN. It’s a bit late in the day to be worrying about privacy. I’m sure you mean well, but I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business how open they choose to be.

I think Wilf is a well known poster here and so is his mum. I see your point however.

I was just coming on to report this as well, would appreciate someone having a look at it.

Haven’t read the post as yet but it’s by Wilf who is well known and MN has followed his life and he is public on here along with his lovely Mum. I will read anyway just to check it out.

Well known or not, its leaving him open to harm and safeguarding is everyones business.

Haven’t read the post as yet but it’s by Wilf who is well known

Well known to MN yes
Not to randomers.

Wilf has practically grown up on MN. It’s a bit late in the day to be worrying about privacy.

That’s a really bad argument for letting a thread stand. It should be judged on its own merits and not have a higher threshold set for deletion because of previous privacy issues.

I agree. Wilf has also posted about things in the past that scare him, there are so many trolls here who are nasty enough to torment him in real life or over social media. As OP writes, he's very easy to find on Facebook and in RL. It's frightening really.

I've posted my concerns on the thread. I think there is a real safeguarding issue here.

I have reported the thread also, the public nature of the talk forum, along with his obvious vulnerability means anyone could easily target, approach and exploit him with information freely provided.

I also agree having his full name and name of the town he lives in and where he will be on a certain date and time is a safeguarding risk.

I had never seen Wilf or his mum here before, although it is clear other members have a lot of affection for them.

Is it possible MNHQ can take the identifying details out?

Does his mum still post? Can someone talk to her?

I believe his mum has been advised multiple times over the years about internet safety etc but it doesn't really seem to make a difference.

Perhaps an unpopular view but all the posters playing along and replying is actually unhelpful as it normalises and encourages the posting behaviour which is actually quite dangerous.

I knew as soon as I saw that thread the current climate on here would kick in. It's gone weird as fuck.

I know it's not just in my head either.

Please stop discussing and speculating on here. That's not what this board is for.

The original thread has been hidden now.

Wtf why has my post been hidden?

I THINK I know exactly who you mean! If it's the same person, does he live on the south east coast by chance? If so, I will contact his mum and let her know.

Well it's back up in Chat after being hidden, so obviously no concerns from MN sadly.

It's been deleted up Lose

What was the patronising response you got? I just got a standard 'we're taking a look'.

Glad it has been removed