Why do some people change user name

Some people get kicked off the site because of unacceptable opinions. They simply return with another name. Done it myself a few times now.

Oh right thanks Ladymuck, I will have to remember that smile

That was meant to be a smile emoji don’t know what happened there lol

There have been users who have been recognised in real life by what they've written here - don't forget some threads are put onto Twitter and Facebook when sharing information about yourself or your family.

Also, the forums are totally open to anyone who Googles.

Thanks very much MissAdventure I didn’t realise that

You're welcome.

I changed my username when someone realised who I was, who I rather hadn't.

I dropped out for a month then rejoined with a new username. That was quite some year's ago.

I was Pantglas1 in a previous innings when the server went down and I couldn’t log in!

*Username-changing

We discourage members from changing their usernames because we want everyone to be able to trust the relationships they build with others on Gransnet.*

I had trouble logging in again when I changed my phone so just re registered with a new(ish) username

Also if posters want to post about grandchild issues it would be good safeguarding to change username so that the childrens locations etc cant be identified through the posters previous more lighthearted posts

I have been quite shocked at how much detail is posted about the family's real names and dates and details of family events, tied in with personal problems involving family relationships. Anyone who knows that person would have a huge amount of embarrassing private information on the family.

I won’t even go to meet ups ha!
?

HOW do you change username? I'd like to change mine because I've been recognised oh here by someone who I'd have preferred she didn't know the personal details I was posting about. (She's a bit of a gossip)
Do I just re-join and let mu current username kind of 'die out'?

There is an option to change your name (despite some people claiming its "not allowed")

I think you can do it on the log in page, so in effect you'll then have a choice of which name to use.

I had to change mine when my internet collapsed and it wouldn't let me log in as before!

Yes Chestnut. Have seen posters say their exact age on one thread, specific location on another thread, then personal family infornation on yet another thread and it doesnt seem to occur to them that the dots can be easily joined.

Also people post that its their anniversaries or partner's birthday, lets hope those arent their passwords!

I ve never changed my name I can’t even remember one let alone two
I never recognise anyone with a new name, totally unobservant, so all lost on me You are who you are and when others find you and call you out I m like ? ...really !!!

Of course there are those who change their names for far less open reasons than discussed as above. Sadly if keeping your username is considered enough by GNHQ to enable trust I suspect they're wrong.

There was one in particular notanan2 where the poster was expressing anguish over very personal problems between family members. This was described in much detail and included the children's and grandchildren's forenames! I was really shocked. That poor family have no idea their personal issues are being plastered all over the internet.

Not just the internet, but wasn't part of a thread posted in the Daily Mail once?

Totally agree with your two posts Chestnut, I think some people get a bit carried away as they post with whatever’s going on that they want to discuss, that they really forget it’s on internet and give out such personal info, it really wouldn’t take much to link everyone together if you were that way inclined

I had to change my name when the site suddenly couldn't accept my e mail address for reasons unknown. I had another e mail address and logged in using that but it wouldn't let me use the same user name. So I have been THREEXNANNY and NANNYXTHREE!