Thoughts, articles and occassionally explainations...
Internet trolls beware!
This article has been brought to my attention.
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/sco...8057-20598681/
It is situations like the one in the article above that led to us having such strict rules on conduct. Predominantly because its miserable to frequent a community that is negative, makes cruel or inappropriate comments and is generally unkind - we never wanted to create a monster like that and Im delighted to say that SMNET is a positive, thriving and homely place to be. But this article shows that it is damaging to ones career, as I had always suspected, to behave in such a manner on a public forum.
From my previous career I know that certain communications are admissable evidence in court, including emails and texts and now its seems what one contributes to a forum is also admissable - well at least in a disciplinary setting regarding conduct. The NMC conduct guidelines remind us to be mindful of our conduct away from work and this seems all the more pertinent now.
But how would we know whose behind the mask of the user name? surely people can behave as they like as its not facebook where you have to put your real name?!
Simple.
The technology behind SMNET and MidwiferyWorld is immense for example we can locate precisley where members log on from, so with an email address - our system does not support fake ones, and a precise location - we can quite easily identify people. On location alone its pretty easy aswell, given that the midwifery community is quite small and someone always knows someone based at X. Also we have an infractions system where people can be banned if their conduct is not in line with the site rules of conduct, meaning that their IP address is banned and they cannot create a duplicate account as we have an AE detector that flags it up and prevents it, should they try again.
So feel safe in the knowledge that should you ever encounter a troll (a trouble maker) here we can and will take swift action on those who attempt to disrupt the learning and enjoyment of others.
However, I have not yet come across any trolls here as everyone is just totally lovely and respectful of oneanother, the staff, Rob and I and we are all appreciative of the time and effort that each one of you puts in to make this place the safe learning haven that it is.
But please be vigilent, if you come across anything you are not happy with - people not playing nicely, inappropriate comments, goading etc - then please contact a member of staff and we will sort it.
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/sco...8057-20598681/
It is situations like the one in the article above that led to us having such strict rules on conduct. Predominantly because its miserable to frequent a community that is negative, makes cruel or inappropriate comments and is generally unkind - we never wanted to create a monster like that and Im delighted to say that SMNET is a positive, thriving and homely place to be. But this article shows that it is damaging to ones career, as I had always suspected, to behave in such a manner on a public forum.
From my previous career I know that certain communications are admissable evidence in court, including emails and texts and now its seems what one contributes to a forum is also admissable - well at least in a disciplinary setting regarding conduct. The NMC conduct guidelines remind us to be mindful of our conduct away from work and this seems all the more pertinent now.
But how would we know whose behind the mask of the user name? surely people can behave as they like as its not facebook where you have to put your real name?!
Simple.
The technology behind SMNET and MidwiferyWorld is immense for example we can locate precisley where members log on from, so with an email address - our system does not support fake ones, and a precise location - we can quite easily identify people. On location alone its pretty easy aswell, given that the midwifery community is quite small and someone always knows someone based at X. Also we have an infractions system where people can be banned if their conduct is not in line with the site rules of conduct, meaning that their IP address is banned and they cannot create a duplicate account as we have an AE detector that flags it up and prevents it, should they try again.
So feel safe in the knowledge that should you ever encounter a troll (a trouble maker) here we can and will take swift action on those who attempt to disrupt the learning and enjoyment of others.
However, I have not yet come across any trolls here as everyone is just totally lovely and respectful of oneanother, the staff, Rob and I and we are all appreciative of the time and effort that each one of you puts in to make this place the safe learning haven that it is.
But please be vigilent, if you come across anything you are not happy with - people not playing nicely, inappropriate comments, goading etc - then please contact a member of staff and we will sort it.
Total Comments 2
Comments
 |  While I am appreciative of your's and your staffs efforts to make this such a positive forum, I do feel a bit sorry for those midwives in the article. I think they were silly to post such remarks in a fairly public arena but I love the fact that when asked if the trust had looked into the issues raised there was no comment. Also, if the head of midwifery was the one mainly criticised isn't it a conflict of interest for her to head the investigation? She's hardly going to be objective over the whole matter. They were silly but they are going to pay a high price for it without there being any changes made to prevent their replacements from becoming equally frustrated. |
  |
| |  I agree with what you say about the article, I was just using it to make a point i.e. be mindful of the NMC guidance on conduct. My view on the article is that part of the investigation has to be to address the concerns of this group of women, however they were really daft making their concerns known on a public forum. But in all honesty I expect they thought they were only talking to oneanother but these other sites can catch you out with who can actually see your information. You are safe here and on MidwiferyWorld as our settings are clearly defined - public or private and one setting - not hundreds like on facebook. There are procedures in place in all Trusts as goverend by employment law to ensure that complaints are addressed by a statutory grievance procedure. So there are avenues for people to raise concerns and be heard. |
| Updated 10-Jul-2008 at 06:57 by J™ |
Total Trackbacks 0
Trackbacks
Recent Blog Entries by J™
- The proposed Student Midwife Charter & SMNET Student Midwife Day (11-Aug-2008)
- Lily Allens Underarms... (08-Aug-2008)
- Hawaiian Birthday Luau (22-Jul-2008)
- Parenting a child with special needs (19-Jul-2008)
- SMNET meets the midwifery VIPs and talks about unity... (14-Jul-2008)
