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Mum’s groups are meant to be a source of friendship and support, but what happens when they turn sour online?

The rise of the Facebook mothers’ group has seen the creation of a safe space where mum’s can come together to ask advice, share opinions and help each other out. As with anything online, however, there is always the potential for a few keyboard warriors to ruin everyone’s fun. As The Daily Mail reports, bullying in these groups is rife, revealing the dark side of these online communities.

A Sinister Side

Many major brands, including Kmart, Target and Big W, have a mum’s group created around them, sharing handy product hacks and helpful tips for making the most of what’s on offer. You would think that a few mums talking about a brand or store that they love would be innocent enough, but it turns out there’s a sinister side to the whole thing. Some mums have complained about ‘God-mins’ who kick members off the pages without reason or warning. Others have faced serious threats, with one mum told by a page administrator that her sons photo would be sent to a paedophile group. It really makes you wonder what kind of sick, twisted people are sitting behind those computer screens…

Constant Bullying

Many members of the online groups have said that bullying is a very real issue, with the page admins often ‘complete bullies’ themselves. “Never have I known such pettiness as what the admin of that group are capable of,” one mum said referring to an incident on a Kmart mums page. We think the whole thing is so disappointing. It tarnishes the very definition of what a mum’s group is supposed to be, made worse by the anonymity provide by technology and the internet.

We think heading down to your local cafe with a couple of other mums and chatting in person is the way to go – you’re very unlikely to have a faceless admin kick you out or threaten your child there!

Have you ever experienced bullying in an online mum’s group? Let us know in the comments.

 

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  • I personally haven’t experienced it, I’m not a member of any online mums groups mind you. I have heard a few stories about mums getting a hard time though

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  • Yes! Some people are really cruel, unsympathetic and often just enjoy saying things to upset people. Just recently, I witnessed a lot of judgement and somewhat nastiness on a Facebook post by MoMs. That is the first time I’ve seen negativity towards a fellow mum I’ve seen on this site

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  • I try to stay away from these groups as I do not need people who do not know me putting me down. Each time one pops up it is blocked.

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  • It can be a bit of a judgement zone

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  • You may be able to block the group so they don’t appear on your page at all.
    Not sure if you can block individual people from within a group.

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  • gee sounds scary

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  • I so agree with Mrs A comments.

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  • The trick to mum groups is to not give out more information than is required. I use mum groups to find out about events and classes that my children would enjoy. Other than the rough age of my children and a rough location, nobody needs to know anything more about me or my family.

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  • That’s disappointing. I’ve noticed undercurrents…..things definitely get lost in translation online when you can’t see a face but to have outright bullying, not on.

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  • There is just no need for such behaviour!

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  • I just avoid. Lurk for a while, and if they look horrible, leave.

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  • If they turn sour then log off. The easiest way to stop problems, fighting and trolls is to log off!


    • I agree – time is too precious to waste on negative and unkind people.

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  • Thankfully I belong to groups that are supportive!

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  • As with everything a few mean/ outspoken people ruinnit for everyone. I think online groups are great but it is so hard to avoid bully behaviour.

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  • No, I haven’t had negative experiences.
    At the moment I’m a member of an online T21 Mums groups and it’s the best !!

    Reply

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