What to do about "Hashtag Crashers"?

Rating: 4 after 2 votes

We had an unexpectedly disturbing thing happen tonight while the moms all gathered around on Twitter to share their thoughts on ABC's new show, "In the Motherhood."

There we were, discussing the show using the hashtag #itm so all the moms could follow the discussion. Suddenly, a hand full of people started jumping in the conversation posting crude tweets and profane comments directed at the moms using the same #itm hashtag. We were hit with what I can only describe as hashtag crashers. The experience was weird and disturbing to all who logged on to watch the show and share comments. We even switched the hashtag under which we were tweeting -- and they followed the discussion and posted further inappropriate remarks.

The experience got me thinking: who owns a hashtag? What's the appropriate way to respond to this kind of behavior? Should members in the discussion be expected to block the users? Ignore it? Should people expect Twitter do something? Is this just something that's to be expected as Twitter grows, since it's a totally open communication platform?

What are your thoughts and opinions on the subject?

Tags: crashers, hashtag, parties, twitter

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Powell on March 28, 2009 at 3:25pm: ojjh; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amy Robbins-Wilson on March 30, 2009 at 4:58am: I thought it was really interesting that when we ignored them, they were shocked and said things like "Don't these moms know we are talking about &^!#^@!)" I think ignoring them helped.

I have an idea and wonder if it would work? Could we announce a set of three hashtags and a secret password so that when the password is used by a certain member then we all go to the next hashtag on the list? It might be a bit of a bother for us to remember but at least the crashers would have to follow us around.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jerri Ann on March 30, 2009 at 8:09am: I would like to see folks quit using hashtag parties and use tinychat and go back to the old school chat room style for twitter parties instead of the hashtag anyway. For instances like the conferences where people are posting updates, that's one thing, but for pure party type events, then I like the idea of the tiny chat rooms instead of hashtag parties. Does that make any sense at all?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tonya on March 30, 2009 at 10:45am: Wow. That's such a shame. I haven't seen hashtag crashers before. I unfortunately ended up missing the #itm twitter party due to a sick child that night.

Surely there must be a way to come up with an rsvp section and unless you are rsvp'd you cannot jump in on a party, that way any crashers could have their rsvp revoked, thus being kicked out.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheryl Loch on March 30, 2009 at 12:54pm: It is a public place & Twitter would have to go to great expense to block people or make it a private room. Even with a pass code you will still have them. The password will end up being tweeted & then there they are back in the 'party' with you.

I agree that you are just going to have to ignore them or have everyone jump over & block the person. Then turn them into @spam. If Twitter sees that 100 ppl have blocked them & turned them in they may delete the account. Yes, they can sign up again but, they may not try the same BS again. Most probably are not smart enough to figure out that it was your actions that got them banned. They may think that they were busted by Twitter or they may think you ladies are to much trouble to mess with.

When you deal with a free service you have more of a chance of having problems then if you have a private or paid service. Scumbags normally won't pay just so they can mess with you.

Sheryl Loch; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mindee Doney on March 30, 2009 at 2:14pm: So sorry to hear about the crashers.

Connie Weiss
I suppose the best thing to do is ignore them...since that is probably what I would tell my kids to do.

I think you're right Connie. Sorry again to hear about this ladies...what a drag! I didn't see the show though...how was it?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan Marcelli on March 30, 2009 at 6:24pm: Thats a shame! I don't knowwhat a hashtag is, but it sounds annoying and mean!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steph Wiestling on April 1, 2009 at 10:46am: Man, I am REALLY late to the party! I missed the show, the discussion, all that! It certainly is odd that someone would crash a hashtag discussion to just throw out negativity. I do agree, though, that in a public forum like Twitter, you're going to get some of that. I would just not reply AT ALL to them, so that they give up and move on.; ▶ Reply to This