Internet Safety

It's the Writer's Workshop with Mama Kat.  I chose prompt #2.

2.) Brea from Tomika’s Treasure Trove wants your advice: Quick question. I am new to the blogging world, having clocked up less than 2 weeks worth of posts, and I have just had an ‘Anonymous’ commenter slam me for blogging about my daughter, mentioning her by name, posting photos and up-to-date stories about her. I have not mentioned anywhere in my blog where we live, Country OR State, or what school she goes to. I have also seen, on several other blogs, that other parents do the same thing as me. Some even mention where they live. I was wondering, as a fellow blogger who posts about your family, what are your thoughts on the subject?


This is a great topic for discussion.  When I first started blogging, I was reluctant to post pictures online.  But then I realized I was being...well...paranoid.  I don't name my city, or even county.  I do reside in CA, but let's face it...CA is very big.    I also don't give out any personal information beyond first names.  Some folks out there have nicknames for their families.  I didn't think of that.  I wish I had only because it's fun.   I don't name schools.  I don't post pictures that have my city's name it.  If there is a picture with the name I block it out.

When we blog about our families, we are sharing our experiences with one another. We are the 21st century version of ladies standing at their fences chatting it up while their kids are eating dirt.  It's not as if we have set up our children with an account on the predators delight *cough* My Space.  My daughter has two blogs.  One is her blog for sharing.  No personal info and she knows it.  I read her blogs before they are posted.  Her other blog is dedicated to animals.  She picks an animal a week and does a mini report about that animal.  And again, I read the blog before it is posted.

The choice to publish pictures and adventures about our families is ultimately up to us.  The parent.  We are the adult and we know what is safe and unsafe.  And really if someone wants to slam a stranger for "putting their kids in danger," they should at least have the guts to comment with their own username rather than anonymously! And while I am at it, that person should mind their d*mn business.

So yes, I am of the opinion that if you want to post pictures of your family...more power to you!  And thank you all for sharing a piece of your life with me.  For letting me know my kids are pretty normal and I am doing a pretty good job most of the time. 

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Picture of the Day
 
Ryan and I shared a bowl of chocolate chips.  It was mixing bowl holding about 1/2 a cup of the chips.

Comments

Richard said…
anonymous posters are like the people who have no children giving advise to those of us who do have children. Ignore and delete.
Emmy said…
Very well said... and you can choose to live your life in paranoia and fear, or not live it in other words.. you you can live and trust that most people are good as really they are.

Looks like you and Ryan had a nice little snack :)
OC Fun Blog said…
I agree with you that it is a personal choice for each blogger to make. This is our way to connect with others and share experiences. Stopping by from SITS!
mormonhermitmom said…
I was a little more free when I first started but I have since become a bit more conservative with how much I reveal of "identifying characteristics". It's everyone's choice what they do with their blog.
Sista Laurel said…
Great post! It's hard to know what you should and shouldn't put out there. I agree it's a personal choice on how anonymous you want to be. Before I name someone I get their permission and if I'm telling a story I usually on use the names of persons who are deceased. Most of my family members have me on a short leash since I like to share embarrassing stories ;-)
sweetjeanette said…
Hey! Thank you for visiting my blog and following! I'm thrilled to have you! Please, don't be a stranger (I just love visitors and home-folk) You're always welcome at my (blog) home!

sweetjeanette.com
Holly Lefevre said…
Good points Lourie! I post the kiddos picture and way back when I posted what city I am in...and then the book people went and put the city I live in on the bio (which they were not supposed to do). I have reservations yes, but I am more concerned about the looney's that actually can get to me...that live near me. I also agree this person should not have left an anonymous comment...LAMER!
Unknown said…
i'm with you -- i just don't have time to be paranoid!
Laura said…
YUMMM chocolate!!! I gave it up for lent, I was fine until the girl scout cookies came. :(
Unknown said…
Hi Lourie - Thanks for taking the time. This seems to be a popular, and ongoing issue within the blogging community. I am learning with each post.
KK said…
True. And any time your child is in the paper for winning FHA or a baseball game or the class spelling bee...guess what...google their name and you see a picture and their school. We are all on the internet, like it or not.
Christina Lee said…
ha that pic is funny! This is a tough one, but I'm with ya!!
Lene said…
This is an interesting topic. I didn't want to use are names
when I started blogging, just so I had a little control. I try not to use the name of the schools the kids attend or the city we live in. But I do post pictures of my kids and I have posted pictures of my house, which someone pointed out to me as a big no-no. I don't want to be afraid....because I started blogging because of the connections you do make.

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