KEY POINTS:
It was supposed to be a forum for middle-class women, mainly, to discuss the trials of juggling work, children, homes and partners. And, as sometimes happens in a family, the social networking site Mumsnet has witnessed a spectacular falling out and descent into vicious bickering.
The normally friendly and ever-so-slightly-self-satisfied online chat forum has been aflame with vitriolic outbursts over a decision by veteran users to set up their own, invitation-only internet forum, dubbed the Mumsnet Oldies, or "Moldies".
In the past week more than 5,000 postings have included allegations of lies, sour grapes, censorship, duplicity and "sucky-up-head-girl syndrome". There have also been claims of a secrecy code modelled on the David Fincher film Fight Club, under which members "Do Not Talk About Moldies".
Many of the rump of uninvited Mumsnetters, as they are known, have complained bitterly at being left out by people they once considered friends. One post, with the username revjustaboutbelievesinsanta, wrote: "Can I just say that I am totally f****d off at not being invited to the 'other' forum. If that makes me a saddo, I can live with that. Sad is better than being not good enough to be part of the cool gang. I have been missing loads of posters who used to make me laugh."
Another, KerryMum, denying an allegation she had left the Moldies because friends had been blackballed, wrote: "I utterly, utterly despise you for attempting to spin my departure from your board as a case of sour grapes. You must be well aware that my doubts about the ethics of Moldies had been expressed pretty much from day one of my registration." However Wewishyouabumperlicious, a Moldie supporter, hit back, saying: "A few mums get on, and then start to meet up outside of the toddler group. So f*****g what?"
Justine Roberts, co-founder of the site, said she understood why feelings were running high: "The ethos of Mumsnet is that everyone is equal and the site is very lightly moderated, so the idea of a forum which you have to be invited to join and which is not open to all naturally excites some hostility, added to which is the fact that a lot of people are hurt that they were not invited to join."
But Ms Roberts added: "I'm sure there are already loads of groups that have been spawned by Mumsnet. Our aim is to try and make other people's lives easier, so we don't have a problem with this."
Just a silly squabble?
"The general feeling among many... of those who are posting on the other (private, closed, and secure from trolls) board were that they felt they couldn't post about personal things anymore for fear of being shouted down." VeniVidiVickiQV
"F*** em, off you f*** to arse lickers Moldies, don't let the door hit your arse on the way out." TinyTimLivesinVictorianSqualor
"Who do you think you are to be part of something that judged me and found me wanting?... i feel so silly for valuing anything about you." CustyDaughterofMediocrity
"Lets just move on shall we? Its Christmas Season of goodwill and all that?" VinegarTitsTheSeasonToBeJolly
- THE INDEPENDENT
