Gransnet forums

Site stuff

Troll hunting

(235 Posts)
kittylester Tue 18-Dec-18 10:26:55

I have been told off for troll hunting to which I hold my hands up- though I wasn't hunting, I'd found one!!

Shouldn't GNHQ be troll hunting for us. Those of us that have been here a while will be instinctively aware of malicious posters generally and can report (as I was told to) but how long does it take hq to look into something and what harm can be done to unsuspecting members in the interim?

oldbatty Tue 18-Dec-18 14:16:30

As for revelling in outing trolls!!! No , I don't like to see kind hearted people being used.The thread about malicious phone calls came from a very warped mind.

M0nica Tue 18-Dec-18 14:17:34

There is also an element of self-protection. If someone posts an emotional appeal for help describing tragic circumstances, some of us will, at times, reveal desperately sad events in our own lives. To discover that that revelation was a cheap laugh to troll, rather than a deep offering of empathy and compassion to someone troubled could be deeply troubling to the poster.

We all know that there is no copyright on what we say and that newspapers do pick items out and run with them, but to feel you have been set-up can be very distressing.

Dontaskme Tue 18-Dec-18 14:31:58

What's a troll????????? How do you hunt one???????? Serious questions

CariGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 18-Dec-18 14:32:55

oldbatty

If someone is unkind and daft enough to post something untrue,there is no harm I'm giving a quick heads up to other people.it avoids them feeling foolish.

Of course - but equally we have often had people reporting posts because they think the person is a troll and it turns out to be a long standing poster who doesn't post often and all completely above board.

We ask people not to do this on the threads because it's upsetting for genuine posters who find themselves in this position and, if it is a genuine question, it's a shame to have the thread filled with people suggesting it isn't.

As we have said though, we are always grateful when people report anything they don't think is quite right and do our best to look at each report as quickly as we can

Dontaskme Tue 18-Dec-18 14:38:45

Ok dw googled it. Now I know shock

Telly Tue 18-Dec-18 14:47:02

Oh dear. This has gone right over my head! Sometime I think - really?- and move on. But I now think I must be missing something!

NanaandGrampy Tue 18-Dec-18 14:58:35

Is it wrong then - in light of this directive to simply ask the OP for clarification if you suspect they are not telling the whole story or in fact downright making it up?

I think its fair enough to simply say 'I'm sorry , but this isn't ringing true to me , can you explain further' . If its true then generally the OP will come back with clarification or as is more usual- they disappear without a trace .

Fennel Tue 18-Dec-18 15:07:51

Good idea, N&G.

holdingontometeeth Tue 18-Dec-18 15:41:54

Yes indeed oldbatty a very warped thread, to which I innocently contributed,but newbies are cast with the burden of proving themselves genuine due to suspicions of more established members.
Plus the fact that is one thread.
Does that warrant the typed aggression that some of us have received?
I don’t think so.
The Thread titled Infiltrators, to which you contributed, for me shows the mindset of the established members.

holdingontometeeth Tue 18-Dec-18 15:49:09

That is no excuse for the way new posters are being treated M0nica
If you have been set up then deal with it.
I contributed too but I accept that there are some sickos about and I become a bit warier.
What I do not do is to try to give innocents a hard time because I have been had over.

Anja Tue 18-Dec-18 16:13:25

I disassociate myself from holding’s post about GNetters.

MissAdventure Tue 18-Dec-18 16:13:42

I don't think you were had over.
People didn't find the fact that your granddaughter bit or attempted to bite someone, cute. that's all.
You said yourself that you made sure she knew it was unacceptable.

oldbatty Tue 18-Dec-18 16:15:04

Perhaps the tech needs to be improved. It takes about 5 minutes to set up an account, so people could make mischief by having several accounts.

Also maybe " new" names could have a little space to introduce themselves?

holdingontometeeth Tue 18-Dec-18 16:36:48

I wasn’t referring to my granddaughters thread when I said I had been had over MissAdventure.
I was referring to Granny Foxton.

holdingontometeeth Tue 18-Dec-18 16:38:39

Anja If the cap fits ......

holdingontometeeth Tue 18-Dec-18 16:41:03

How about you introducing yourself oldbatty ?
I am sure that there may be one who would be interested.

oldbatty Tue 18-Dec-18 16:42:20

cooking sherry anyone?

holdingontometeeth Tue 18-Dec-18 16:49:02

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MissAdventure Tue 18-Dec-18 16:50:16

Ah, grannyfoxton.
Apologies then, holdingon.
I thought granny seemed genuine.
Who knows what is going on in other peoples lives.

holdingontometeeth Tue 18-Dec-18 17:08:21

It did seem odd that they had so much information MissAdventure but I allowed myself to be sucked in like many others.
The trouble with sick minds like that is they can fracture a site with the suspicions that they cause.

Anja Tue 18-Dec-18 17:17:46

That is completely illogical holding that phrase doesn’t fit the situation.

Gonegirl Tue 18-Dec-18 17:20:27

They can only fracture a site if the members let them. Which seems to be happening here.

oldbatty Tue 18-Dec-18 17:24:17

Why are you so horrible holding?

oldbatty Tue 18-Dec-18 17:31:47

*How about you introducing yourself oldbatty ?
I am sure that there may be one who would be interested*

Spiteful.

M0nica Tue 18-Dec-18 17:46:45

Holding M0nica, If you have been set up then deal with it.

This is not a kind and compassionate response, considering that this is exactly what you are asking us to always provide.confused