"Following" Someone

[pfalcioni]

I think most of those who have a problem with being "followed" by a stranger aren't worried about privacy (it's a public forum, there is no privacy), but they are frustrated by a lack of control over their account. With Facebook and most other online social settings, we have the option to block or remove people we don't wish to interact with. There are always ways to ignore (not see) what another user is saying, but sometimes there's an option to block them from seeing what you are doing, or not accept their "friendship" to begin with.

There have been instances here on the DISboards where someone has used the Follow feature to annoy another member. Because it allows them to see every time you post, then they can easily post snide replies to each of your posts. Sure, it's not harassment or stalking, but it is annoying and makes the boards a place that is no longer enjoyable. My friend who had this happen is a relatively gentle soul and after a month of dealing with it, she left and joined a different Disney forum. I know, not the end of the world, but still, if there was a way to block that "following" feature, it would have been much more work for the offender to catch every single thing my friend posted and continue that campaign of mild bullying.

I know DisBoards aren't going to change this "feature" and allow people to block followers since that would probably require some pretty serious coding work, but I'm wondering if they have an option to turn off the Follow feature? Seems like it's not really used that much.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Stalking can start this way and has. The first time you notice it, you are told, "you aren't anything special, he simply likes walking around (fill in the blank). You just happen to work here. He isn't doing anything illegal." (Or he liked 500 people, it isn't just you.)

It then goes to, he isn't harming anyone. (Read his posts, he is just looking for a friend.)

Eventually it ends with the police involved. (Oh, you mean one of those 500 was actually someone that he was suppose to stay away from?)

I am not sure why instead of addressing the problem, someone making so many posters uncomfortable, the issue isn't being addressed, but instead those effected are being told that it isn't a big deal.

My plan is to monitor the situation. Keep alert. And be prepared. Oh, and delete all of my personal information on my page.

Or, you can just realize that this is a social media site. Its whole purpose is to enable electronic social interaction between its members. It's not a private message board that you have to be invited to use, it's just like Twitter in that your posts are out there for anyone to read, and your profile is out there for anyone to follow. Stop DISing everything and assuming that the whole world is full of predators.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm glad someone posted this--turns out I have been "following" two people and was not even aware of it. I must have clicked on something by accident at some point. One person was a friend, but he has not posted in several years. I don't even recognize the other poster's name at all.
I also have 10 followers--most are probably also accidental clicks. The new poster does not appear to be among them.
I am not really sure I understand the point of following someone--it must not do much if I did not even know I had been doing so!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm glad someone posted this--turns out I have been "following" two people and was not even aware of it. I must have clicked on something by accident at some point. One person was a friend, but he has not posted in several years. I don't even recognize the other poster's name at all.
I also have 10 followers--most are probably also accidental clicks. The new poster does not appear to be among them.
I am not really sure I understand the point of following someone--it must not do much if I did not even know I had been doing so!

Are you able to "unfollow" someone?

 

[NHdisneylover]

Are you able to "unfollow" someone?

yes--I had to go into my setting, but I was able to stop looking like a stalker lol

 

[sam_gordon]

Has anyone tried contacting the poster and simply saying "I'd appreciate it if you don't follow me." And maybe give instructions on how to unfollow someone?

 

[JJZMgailey]

Folks, everyone who joins and participates here on DISboards.com is subject to the site's guidelines which are located here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

Unless a poster; new or otherwise, gives us a reason to believe that they are disingenuous, we will simply hold them to the same guidelines as everyone else who participates here.

Different Moderators and Webmasters have commented numerous times in this thread to let those of you with concerns know every detail of the 'follow' action as it works on this site (please see posts #25, #30, and #78 in this thread). As we've stated, you can control who you follow; you cannot control who follows you. If you've accidentally followed someone and no longer want to, simply go to that poster's profile and click on 'unfollow.' People who follow you will have no additional information about you just because they've followed you. If someone who has followed you sends you a message via private conversation and you don't want them to have that ability, feel free to use the 'ignore' feature (on their profile) so they won't be able to message you again.

You are all in complete control over the information that you choose to share online here on the DIS as well as most other forms of social media.

Again, please feel free to send an email to admin@wdwinfo.com if you have additional questions or concerns. We're here to help!

 

[Tasha228]

I was followed by this poster a few days ago as well. He also sent me a message that said, "Hi." I chose not to respond to that message. It's nothing personal, just not in my comfort level. The message is no longer in my inbox now either but I don't remember deleting it so I'm not sure what happened there. Weird.

However, this poster has said they have autism and adhd and they sound young so I am assuming that is why he (or she?) is following and messaging everyone. So, while I did not feel comfortable messaging this person back, I am not quite as creeped out that they chose to randomly follow me as I might otherwise be.

 

[macraven]

I love my followers!

No one in my house listens to me but my followers do!

I lead my followers to almost all the sections the Dis has to offer the readers

 

[phamton]

Noticed that I am following 8 people. Never remember checking anything to follow them so may have been a mistake that I clicked accidentally. Also saw that I had 13 followers so am assuming it was a mistake on their part or they find me interesting. I always just assumed that following just subscribed you to anything they posted. I broke my own rule about reading the entire thread before jumping in so will go back and read now.

 

[TAX GUY]

 

[Micca]

 

[macraven]

Noticed that I am following 8 people. Never remember checking anything to follow them so may have been a mistake that I clicked accidentally. Also saw that I had 13 followers so am assuming it was a mistake on their part or they find me interesting. I always just assumed that following just subscribed you to anything they posted. I broke my own rule about reading the entire thread before jumping in so will go back and read now.

You are one of my followers and you didn't even know it
Lol

 

[aaarcher86]

*waves*

Hi Buffetgirl!

 

[Bebella]

As someone who started using the "Follow" feature awhile ago (when I first started being a little active on the Dis), I can say it was because I liked seeing those user's trip reports, and their general views of Disney so I was interested to see their posts. Nothing more, or less. Just general interest in what they would post about. I can say I've stopped using it as much, now that I know I can get notifications on threads instead. I guess I didn't see it as being weird or creepy, I just viewed it like you can add someone on Twitter and see their tweets.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

As someone who started using the "Follow" feature awhile ago (when I first started being a little active on the Dis), I can say it was because I liked seeing those user's trip reports, and their general views of Disney so I was interested to see their posts. Nothing more, or less. Just general interest in what they would post about. I can say I've stopped using it as much, now that I know I can get notifications on threads instead. I guess I didn't see it as being weird or creepy, I just viewed it like you can add someone on Twitter and see their tweets.

But, did you follow almost 700 people within your first 2 days here?

 

[Bebella]

But, did you follow almost 700 people within your first 2 days here?

Hah, no. I still only follow like 12 people. I replied before reading through the entire thread and then saw that people were more annoyed, and creeped out, by this person who followed hundreds of people. I assume they didn't understand the feature, since you wouldn't be able to filter through everyone's posts on the news feed if you follow everyone.

 

[calypso726]

When I first noticed I had a few followers I figured they liked what I post about which is generally travel hacking tips on the Budget Board or trip reports on the ABD board and would somehow be able to follow my posts. I thought it was a cool feature. I checked today and saw that the same person who is now following over 600 people is following me too. I'm still not bothered by it though. I also saw that I was following two people I know I did not purposely follow anyone. So who knows what I clicked on by mistake. I imagine they might have wondered why I started following them Well, hopefully they will read this thread and realize I didn't know I was.

 

[Lynne M]

I think most of those who have a problem with being "followed" by a stranger aren't worried about privacy (it's a public forum, there is no privacy), but they are frustrated by a lack of control over their account. With Facebook and most other online social settings, we have the option to block or remove people we don't wish to interact with. There are always ways to ignore (not see) what another user is saying, but sometimes there's an option to block them from seeing what you are doing, or not accept their "friendship" to begin with.

A message board is a very different beast than Facebook. Facebook was designed around the idea of a user's page. The user grants access to a list of individuals of their choosing. It's inherently an access-controlled system. You protect your privacy by controlling who sees what you post.

A message board like the DIS is open to the internet. You need to create an account to post here, but anyone can view posts. It's designed that way, because its purpose is the sharing of what's posted here with as wide an audience as possible. We all post to the DIS with the understanding that every single person on the planet with internet access can see what we post. We protect our privacy by not posting things that we don't want everyone and anyone to see.

There have been instances here on the DISboards where someone has used the Follow feature to annoy another member. Because it allows them to see every time you post, then they can easily post snide replies to each of your posts. Sure, it's not harassment or stalking, but it is annoying and makes the boards a place that is no longer enjoyable. My friend who had this happen is a relatively gentle soul and after a month of dealing with it, she left and joined a different Disney forum. I know, not the end of the world, but still, if there was a way to block that "following" feature, it would have been much more work for the offender to catch every single thing my friend posted and continue that campaign of mild bullying.

I'm very sorry that your friend was harassed, but the same events could happen if the follow feature was disabled. It takes a total of three clicks for anyone, DIS member or not, to see a list of your posts.

And that's not new. Even before we had a follow feature, on the old board software, it took one click to see everything the follow feature shows you today.

I know DisBoards aren't going to change this "feature" and allow people to block followers since that would probably require some pretty serious coding work, but I'm wondering if they have an option to turn off the Follow feature? Seems like it's not really used that much.

I'm still confused as to what exactly everyone thinks would be prevented if we removed the follow feature, or allowed people to block followers. There are a number of very quick and easy ways to view a list of a user's posts, three that I can think of off the top of my head (follow, search, profile). If I blocked a follower, they'd still have two quick and easy ways to view a list of my posts.

 

[Meriweather]

It doesn't bother me to be followed.
I post a lot on games, theme park and exchange boards....nothing very exciting.
I have one DIS friend I follow.....I never get an alert or anything when she post, so what does following someone really do?