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A suggestion to help spot trolls?

3 replies

DameDeepRedBetty · 08/10/2013 09:52

Hi HQ I was wondering on another thread (this one) about a way of indicating whether a poster is a brand new registration or a name change. At the moment if I'm feeling uncertain about a thread, I will look at the OP's history.

A long list of sensible sounding posts on other threads is very reassuring (although it doesn't mean that the OP's computer isn't being used by teenagers of course!)

But just the one post - and that the OP of the (possible) troll thread, could mean three things...

  1. Poster has namechanged as it's too personal to talk about on a forum where quite a lot of us may be anonymous but aren't that heavily disguised - for instance, anyone looking through my previous posts will be able to work out where I live, and what I do.


  1. Poster is new, and in need of help, now.


  1. Poster is new, and thinks it would be funny to tease all the vipers.


It's a long time since I registered, and I don't remember there being a compulsory tutorial about how to post, conventions of the site, etc, but would it be an idea to make brand new members have to run through ticking boxes or something so that they post in the right area and don't accidentally sound troll-like?

Thoughts?
OP posts:
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MrsLettuce · 08/10/2013 09:55

Or, 4. The poster has name changed for a laugh / less funny reason.

TBH I think MNHQ are quite capable of dealing with trolls and are less than keen on encouraging troll hunting.

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DameDeepRedBetty · 08/10/2013 10:04

Oh yes MrsL I'd forgotten about things like Halloween nc competitions!

The thread that I was reading before posting this is talking very much about how hurtful it can be to support someone who turns out to be doing it for some strange 'laugh' reason. Agree, HQ do seem good at dealing with trolls once they've had their attention drawn to , but sometimes by the time they've seen the report(s) a fair number of people have been drawn in.

Anyway, having started this I've just realised I really shouldn't be here - will check back in later today Grin

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YoniBottsBumgina · 08/10/2013 10:35

Or there could be some kind of symbol after a poster's name to indicate they have joined within the last week. With the intention being that people can cut new posters a bit of slack or maybe direct them to the right section rather than going "GOD did t you know there's a breastfeeding section?!"

May also help to spot trolls. But of course the main reason is to be nice to newbies Wink

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