GNHQ here - please read

An example: Marydoll has been banned from GN for trolling and you Elegran reveal my real name or address in a GN post, which would allow me to be identified. That constitutes a breach and GN are under an obligation to inform the Information Commissioner, because if they didn't I would!

Of course, you would never contemplate that!
Anyway, I have now derailed the thread, but at least it has calmed down a bit!

"Then even if it had been a breach it can only be considered for legal action if there is evidence that the individual involved has suffered personal harm because of the breach."

Correct!

marydoll it’s getting complicated ?am off to The Argy for a poteen and some karaoke.

Lemon, I would join you, if my brain wasn't so frazzled and anyway I'm not allowed alcohol!

There you go, I've revealed some personal information.? people may now speculate, as to why I can't consume alcohol!.?
This has been an interesting thread, to say the least!

Interesting Marydoll ?
I would have said profoundly depressing - absolutely typifying the fact that some people can start a fight in an empty room.
I fully accept we can disagree on matters of politics, current affairs, choice of clothes,wearisome relatives, the royal family and courses of action.
But for a thread dedicated to encouraging patience, and mutual respect to turn out as it has done, is well- nigh incredible.
This is not the GN I joined and used to enjoy.

Sadly I agree with you MawB

Oh Maw, I hope you are not alluding to me. ? I'm devastated!

Absolutely not Marydoll and I am truly sorry if I gave that impression.
No, it’s those who came before, those who seem to enjoy “stirring”, those who think an unwarranted personal attack out of the blue is “fair game”.
I think we all know what I am talking about.

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Maw, I knew that, that. I was joking. We are friends, I'm sorry if I upset you.

EV, as if you don't have enough to worry about at present. ?

That's right Marydoll x

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It's all about perception. What may seem to one poster as just a robust exchange, can be viewed as something much more by another.

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trisher

That's disgusting. I wonder why? It is ridiculous that GNHQ fall for this business of something being entirely one sided when it obviously isn't. Could they ban a few of the people who I can only describe as hypocritical please.

Indeed

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Marydoll it is indeed about perception. I am reminded of the school playground bullies who could never see anything wrong in their taunts or actions. They were 'just having a bit of fun' and the problem was always 'others being too sensitive'.

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But I am not sure how we can resolve that. Having a debate about an issue or disagreeing is not bullying.

Wikipedia’s definition of an Internet troll

‘In Internet slang, a troll is a person who starts flame wars or intentionally upsets people on the Internet by posting inflammatory and digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses and normalizing tangential discussion, either for the troll's amusement or a specific gain.’

That is an excellent definition Jane

That sums it up perfectly, GrannyLaine

People do get picked on GN. It happened to me, by one particular poster, who found it amusing. Thank goodness others reported this person to GNHQ, who had their account suspended for a few weeks, as a result. I was too embarrassed to report, in case I was thought of as a wimp!
It made me quite unwell.

Until it has happened to you, you cannot just dismiss it as people being over sensitive.

Galaxy that is exactly my point. Debate and disagreement can be courteous and polite or it can slide into personal attack and sneering, which is why this thread was started. There are many GNetters who are put off commenting on threads because they see what happens to others. It DOES become bullying when hurt is caused, particularly when the perpetrator(s) keep on and on.