Why don't we stop reporting the trolls?

Teacher? When did a teacher join GNHQ?

In a manner of speaking!

Perhaps 'Matron" then?

I had such a good post in my head when I was on the bath! About how we tough old birds see, what to them might come across as bullying, as the cut and thrust of a challenging and enjoyable argument.

That post doesn't read too well, but YKWIM.

I've often wondered why some members seem to be on permanent 'report' alert, jingl...

Because trolls exist by getting people to argue them into the ground; they feed off it, it's their raison d'etre. Gransnet doesn't have the sort of mods that some forums have, it's pretty much self regulating and I'm sure HQ are happy for troll alerts to be sent to them as and when they happen.

I think once you have been admin on a forum (referring back to someone's question on another thread as to why Admin don't step in more quickly) you don't get as shocked, once you have done it for a while. It's made me far more tolerant of people's little ways. I am far more likely to be surprised by how fast people are to take umbrage and to see slights where often none were intended. The problem is, we don't get to see PMs. I once half-disbelieved a member when she said that a male was stalking her and sending her suggestive photos, so told her that I would give him a week - and he sent me one!

Who knew that you could buy half-dressed sexy witch garden ornaments with their legs wide open...

Some people need to know that there is a safety net. I would never stop people from having that choice.

Of course that sort of thing is different, janerowena. But the odd schoolboy wind-up merchant is hardly a threat to anyone...

No, that is true! For some reason we used to attract American schoolboys. I think we all found it quite funny, if a bit annoying. You can see where people come from by the IP address when they apply to join.

It's odd how, when you see "old" members insulted by an outsider, the urge comes upon you to defend them, whether you usually agree with their views or not.

It would be nice to have a chance to have a go back at them.

It can get really nasty, though. I can remember years ago when working for a very large forum, we used to shut down at midnight because the stuff that could go on at night was just dreadful to see at 8am.

Yes, I find it annoying to see all those messages deleted. I am always curious about what they said, especially if there is an angry response from one of us which is left on the thread.

I just wish those of us who are trigger happy on the reporting front would ease off a bit.

I saw the last one for a moment before GNHQ vanished it. It was just abusive It added nothing to any debate.

I would say just keep deleting and ignore these. The General wisdom as often repeated on here, is do not engage with anyone making such comments, they are clearly setting out to be annoying.

It is completely obvious that this is what/who these particular posters are. They are all new "pop up" names.

There are trolls, and there are trolls, IYKWIM. The silly random insult/offensive posts are easily ignored (and do seem to get deleted very quickly, so quickly in fact that I usually miss them and end up wondering what they said!) but the ones that insult my intelligence do p. me off.

I have noticed that you seem to have a 'thing' about spammers, phoenix!

Actually, they are not the ones who p me off the most! I don't think I have a "thing" about them per se, they are just irritating and yes, a bit of an insult to the intelligence, especially that one fairly recently who kept popping up, on umpteen threads with helpful "suggestions" as to where one might find wonderful items of desire, with silly user names that looked as if they might have been taken from random letters as they appeared on "Countdown"

No, it's the others who really get me going.................

A P.S. There's nothing wrong with advertising, the site needs that revenue to keep going, so if you want to advertise go ahead, but do it the proper way and pay for it, don't try to get in under the radar!

I agree, we want to see proper posting, not ads. I also agree with NellieMoser as I don't want to read silly or abusive posts from kids or anyone else.

I agree with pheonix there are Trolls and there are Trolls. Sounds stupid to say that but I would hope we all understand what that means.

I do get quite annoyed when a thread or message is deleted and have said so many times before. I think it is better to allow All GN's the opportunity to decide for themselves if a post is derogatory or not. What one person finds derogatory another may not.

My problem with deleting messages and threads really is the way it is / can be used by a poster who thinks it is a derogatory/personal attack against him/her but that poster I have noted makes by far more personal/nasty comments at other times.They don't think they have ever been known to do anything wrong. In other words 'Do as I say, not do as I do' brigade.

If a thread or message is deleted, the other GN's assume the poster was being unreasonable. This may not be the case, maybe they are only sticking up for themselves from comments that have been made about them before. I have seen threads removed because one or two posters have 'created' a problem when there wasn't one, seems to happen quite a bit.

I would far sooner be able to argue/engage/discuss with another GN if they are being personal against me. I would rather other GN were able to see who said what to whom and fully understand and appreciate what has been going on. If you dish it out, expect to get it back scenario.

I think having the opportunity to Report a thread or post is a good thing however when it is blindingly obvious there is a 'scammer' or the thread has been infiltrated, PROBABLY FOR A POLITICAL AGENDA. I do however feel that at times it has been used solely as a tool by a poster who is loosing the argument and tries to save face.

I am sure HQ will disagree with my post but I would like to say that I totally accept it is upto HQ to decide on this matter. I am just saying I find the reason behind some deletions a little bit lacking but I accept that is IMHO.

I tend to report trolls as a matter of course (because it is part of my job to do that in my other life - so I have this "trolls must be eradicated" approach to forums). So I think I am being helpful to HQ.

Also, I agree that taking on trolls on is like trying to blow out a lightbulb, so I'd rather just swiftly put a stop to their posts.

But I'll stop with reporting the trolls and spammers now. Knock yourselves out

PS As far as debate and all that goes, I couldn't care less, I never get upset. I'm one of those that having writ, swiftly moves on

Would anybody like to tell me what this thread is about as I seem to have missed whatever it is - again!

I missed it too soutra but it seems that a teenager [perhaps] got onto a thread and made insulting remarks, which were reported and deleted.

I suppose threads can get side-tracked for all sorts of reasons, but if it is a troll then the billy goats - and nanny goats - are perfectly entitled to ask GNHQ if they have noticed anything, then it is up to GNHQ to decide if it should be deleted or not (Australian rising inflexion at the end there).

I think remarks such as calling one of our revered male members a 'dickhead' and a female eloquent and reasonable poster a 'pissbag' objectionable.
I therefore reported them