is mumsnet a safe space for me?

[rexrabbit]

would you say mumsnet these days is a safe space for a non-transphobic lesbian with children to hang out?

Yes - it is only the Special Ones, and their cheerleaders, who deserve to feel safe either online or in real life.

It is a safe space. It's a place you can disagree and learn, and that makes you stronger, and stronger is safer.

Sitting on the couch is "safer" than going out into the world, but only if you don't think far ahead. If all you do is stay home on the couch you get unhealthy and socially isolated and end up in a much worse place physically and mentally than the people who went out into the world.

Staying in an echo chamber is "safer" than having to face the fact that people disagree with you, but only if you don't think far ahead. If all you do is hear things that validate your existing beliefs and tell you how awful everyone who doesn't hold those beliefs is you get scared and distrustful and angry and able to connect emotionally with fewer and fewer people and overreliant on the ones you can connect with and end up in a much worse place socially and emotionally than the people who went out into the world.

I've always wondered what a "safe space" online is.

Is it padded? Do you wear a special inflatable suit before entering, should it NOT be a safe space specifically designed for your special needs?

Is it a place you can leave, the instant that you feel remotely "unsafe"?

Yay! Welcome. You're in a safe space.

PS It's the "logout" button you need.

Nowhere online on the internet in the world and out of it is safe. Someone will offend someone. The more we realise this no matter what we are/identify are we can all get on with our lives and say what we mean and not be scared to speak in case we make someone butt hurt.
In a nutshell no Mumsnet is not safe.

I would be bored witless if I spent all my time in a safe space

@FlirtsWithRhinos - good post.

Many of us are parents, and think about how to keep our children safe, and how to help them be safe as they grow into independent adults.

Critical thinking and building resilience are crucial.

How so? No-one can physically harm you and you can avoid any emotional or mental stress by simply avoiding any thread likely to upset you.

eeee, dragon works - this is the best thing that has happened so far this year.

On the other hand, [cat] does not work, this gives me hurty feelz and I demand immediate redress and action.

The internet is probably not a safe space for anyone unironically using the term safe space about internet forums.

No red dragon emoji for me!

Pah! Who needs a red dragon emoji anyway.

I'm off to sit with my actual Dragon and watch the sun set.

This is an excellent post 👌 Sadly I suspect the OP won't see it I imagine OP has grabbed some screenshots and slithered off back to Reddit or Discord to indulge in a 'stunning and brave' circle jerk.

[wolef]

Brilliant comment!

So pleased to spread some dragon joy.

I'm trying to think what other old emoticons have gone from the publicised set but still work. Chocolate and tardis...
,

[Crow]
[Otter]
[Gryphon]

[Otter]
[Bee]
[Spock]

Awwwwwwe pity

[slug] ?

[What] [are] [you] [all] [up] [to] [?] [?]

Strange! You lot are just strange!

Prepare to be flabbergasted, @Boiledbeetle - just type dragon with square brackets around the word and ....

I was looking for a strange pixie gif but this came up instead. Unfortunately my internal pixieness won't let me look away. Come join me 😈

[flabbergasted]