When a forum member starts rumors and splits your forum

[Beverly]

There is a situation going on with my game clan at the moment (and we also have our own Facebook forum for the clan), where one member is starting rumors that we have bots in our clan. This is so obviously not true as there are very few bots in our game anymore. This person was a good friend of mine but lately she is an attention seeker and seems almost every other day something new and terrible is happening in her life. I can't just tell her that I think she is seeking attention as maybe these bad things are really happening to her and in a way I feel sorry for her. However, she indicated she wants to leave and others feel the same way. So basically, she's been spreading these rumors behind my back. Considering how popular she is on our Facebook group, she could split our clan. If I kick her, others will leave as there is no proof she is doing anything wrong and she has many friends on our forum and in our clan and has gained sympathy of many. So it would look like i'm picking on her for nothing even though she is stirring up trouble. I am worried she is trying to cause trouble and hoping to lure others away.

I am thinking this might have happened on another person's forum too. So, I'm hoping someone who has been through this situation with their forum could give me advice on what to do.

I'm probably going to ask her to take a break from our clan for awhile to give her some time to think as spreading rumors is just going to hurt us all.

Some advice would be appreciated.

 

[MrDawn]

I'm pretty familiar with your situation and I have been there in games with guilds and on forums. I was really good friends with this girl. To make a long story short, she and I got into it, she had more influence than I realized and my friends weren't who I thought they were and the guild crashed as well as the forum.

You have little choice but to let it run its course without looking like the villain. Let her spread the rumors, and eventually your friends will realize that she is trying to start trouble. But do your very best to ignore the rumors.

I wouldn't ask her to do anything and she may use that against you or as leverage among your friends and your clan as to make it seem that you are trying to mute her or she can twist your words. She apparently has a lot of influence over your group and has it and although you are the primary leader.

For now, people want to hear her out, and all you can do is sit back and allow it to run its course without turning everyone against you if not more.

People like to talk, and this is entertainment to them. Drama.

From what I've read, the other's feel that way like you have stated but if you push back, than you will be giving them a reason. So I wouldn't add to it, that is if you can resist the urge.If they leave, they leave. Hang in there and wait for it to boil over. When one can longer contain the situation, its best just to let go.

Have you considered just taking a break from it and leave them to figure it out on their own since they're not wanting listen to you and listening to your friend?

What choice do you have?

You can lead someone to the truth, but you can't make them accept it. Sometimes people are so dull that you have to give them time to figure it out, even if the person they're choosing over you seems better. Especially on forums and games.

 

[Forces of Steel]

Those situations are always detestable, but the community seems to generally blend together. Badmouthing another site is something that we wish to never be associated with.