I have a question for you ...
I used to call my children by their names here on my blog. I would even post the occasional picture of them. I got spooked and went through all my posts, took out their names and replaced them with nicknames and removed all of their pictures. But, I see other parents calling their kids by name, posting their pictures, etc.
Do you think it is safe to use your children's first names on a blog or post pictures of them online? Or am I being too overprotective or anxious about it?
I would love to feel comfortable doing so ... I just don't know if I feel safe doing it.
I am pretty sure that there is no need to worry about using their real names. But, only use their first names.. About pictures... I would not put any pictures of my loved ones. Probably because I am more like you,a little overprotective. But, people put entire albums on Facebook. Do you think there is a difference??? I dont know.
That is why I am wondering if I am being too overprotective. My kids are on Facebook and they do post pictures of themselves over there and I do too. Of course, we have a lot more control over there as to who sees them and I monitor who their friends are.
On my blog ... anyone can see what I post. I do use Whois protection. You can't get my name and address from running my domain. I don't hide my name online though. There are a lot of places that have my full name listed.
Personally I do not have a problem with having my son's name/face out there. In fact because he has diabetes, we use the web to share his story. And in doing so, I have had no reason to feel like I am putting him in any danger.
However, I do recognize that it is a crazy world out there, and can completely understand why some people may not feel comfortable doing the same. So even though I think that it is okay, I also think that is okay to be a little protective...
Oh, and I meant to share the link with you for some of the stuff that I have online about my son...
http://www.youtube.com/WalkForSamuel
I use fake names. Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy.
I do pictures and video. Never pictures in a bathing suit or half naked.
I use nicknames for all of us. (Believe it or not, "Wickle" is not my real name!) They're all based on our initials (Wickle is WKL, for example.)
Having said that, I have on very rare occasions posted a picture or two on my blog. The pictures are there, but since there's nothing to identify them, I don't see how a bad guy could use it for anything. My son isn't going to answer to the nickname I use for him, for example.
My ex and I made an agreement a long time ago that we would never put our kids photos or names on the web - that they could do so when old enough, but we would not.
There have been times I've wanted to violate that agreement to brag on them, but to this day, I have not. I never mention their names, never post photos. For me, it was a wise agreement - leave it up to the kids after warning of the risks.
I don't understand folks who feel like its ok to put their entire brood's every activity online - do they underestimate the risks? I believe so.
Dan ... my nephew has diabetes too so thank you for sharing that link. :) I am passing it on to my sister as well.
Thanks to all of you for giving me your perspective on this. I am still undecided. My girls have beautiful names (IMO) and I would love to share them. I also think my girls are beautiful and would love to show them off ... but I don't know. It is a dangerous world. I will pray on it some more and see what the hubster thinks about it.