Influx of Trolls/ Transphobic Posts on These Boards

[terfing]

Over the past week, there's been an influx of new users posting transphobic threads and comments. I suspect that they are doing this, taking a screenshot, and then posting it on Twitter etc to show how "anti-trans" we all are... They seem to come out at night when moderation is slower and so their threads stand for longer.

Is there much we can do about this? It's clear that they're trying to close the discussion down and paint us as transphobic. Maybe we could ask for new posters to not be allowed to start new threads here at night?

Something definitely needs to be done, it’s getting ridiculous. It’s so blatantly obvious too.

I can't see there is a lot that can be done about it - more mod in the evenings, make FWR for established users during the night?

The posts aren't exactly subtle, are they.

I suggest that if they are fishing for salacious screen grabs, we give them ones instead from www.terf is a slur or transcrimes uk or the latest woman-hating diatribe from Twitter.

That or segue into discussions about the merits of fruit teas.

At least for the trolliest of trolls.

Some posters are worth persevering with for lurkers. Others are time wasters, MRAs or TRAs hoping to provoke a reaction.

I think FWR should require 30 days before member can post, same as the sex topic.

Most of the objections to that (people may be desperate and need help right away) don't apply to this board.

Most of their names have 'mum', 'granny' or similar, in them too, in order to look more authentic I think... even though most people don't tend to do that here!

Any threads which are not about feminism should be reported and maybe suggest they're moved elsewhere.

I've reported a couple but they won't be moved unless more people report. The ones I reported, in my opinion, belong in the LGBT board.

The most obvious solution is to deny them the oxygen of publicity.

AKA Don't feed the trolls.

The tone of the threads about transgender have definitely changed and I am joy comfortable with it as I don’t wish transgender people any harm or ill will.

I’m just concerned that in trying to redefine ‘woman’ it is making it more difficult fur women to organise politically and discuss issues freely.

Joy? Not is what I meant

I nearly started a thread on it....I find it comically bizarre especially when the names have 'gran' or 'mum', the poster clearly has a stereotypical vision of a woman or maybe specifically a mumsnet woman.

MN Is going to have to block those who have already posted transphobic trolling threads and put on a 30 day delay for new members. The delay is a shame but any genuine new members will wait it out.

I like those ideas, SpareRibFem.

30 days to read, reflect and get to know the community can only be a good thing in my opinion.

People might learn something and they are unlikely to lose anything.

I agree with the 30 day rule.

Won't stop the ultra determined but does stop purely opportunistic attack's like last night.

I think a thread has been pulled today as well?

I didn't post as it looked odd but can't find it now - about definitions (don't want to add more than that).

@MNHQ can we have your thoughts on this please? Thank you.

I've been a member of other forums where there was a similar sort of post limiter. You had to make something like 100 posts in other parts of the forum before you were allowed in the debate section.

I suggest we post a link to this thread and say something along the lines with “your posts don’t seem to align with the majority of posters on this board...how interesting” in unison.

A limit on when you an post but I do worry that it makes us appear like an echo chamber even more than we are already accused of. I don’t agree with the people who would say that, I just know the would say it. Maybe not a limit on posting but on starting a thread?

I saw lots of those posts last night, I bet they kept poor night watch busy.

A 30 day probation and some kind of pre-FWR post count sounds good to me.

It’s getting like whack-a-mole around here and it’s boring to read as well as engage with.

Here's another vote for introduction of a 30 day rule'.

Not necessarily for ever but I think it would be very useful at present.

Maybe not a limit on posting but on starting a thread?

I think we need a limit on posting too, to prevent all the seagulls.

A 30 day delay for FWR is an excellent idea - why on earth didn't we think of us before - with all the MRA / 4Channers trolling us for YEARS?!

*this

I also agree with a 30 day rule. It would give people chance to read through the issues and deter ploppers. win-win.