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Wednesday 4 July 2012

A Picture Is Worth 1000 Worries



When I started this blog, I decided I would not post any pictures of my daughter (tempting as it was) due to concerns about privacy. I am an extremely paranoid cautious person and I just felt that posting pictures of my family for the world to see would not be the most prudent decision.

Several people mentioned to me that my blog would be so much better if I included pictures of my baby girl. I was initially very resistant as I have concerns about privacy and safety. But the more I thought about it, I wondered if my fears were reasonable.

The more personal information you put out there, the easier it is for your identity to be stolen, for someone to stalk you etc (yes, I know I sound really paranoid right now), but since we live in such a public world, is privacy even real anymore, or is it just a concept we cling to in order to convince ourselves that the world is safe?

When discussing my concerns about privacy, a friend of mine pointed out that anyone can Google anyone else and find tons of information.  My husband pointed out that I regularly post pictures of my daughter on Facebook, so why not do it on my blog? I argued that only my friends can see my pictures on Facebook, and so it is still private, but is it?

What is stopping any of my Facebook friends from showing my “private” profile to one of their friends, or from posting my “private” pictures on the internet?  Even if I decided to be really private, by shutting down my Facebook account and retreating from social media altogether, anyone could still snap a picture of me, write a bunch of personal information about me, and post it online. Not that anyone would - I mean, really, I’m not that interesting- but the point is they could.  (I’m actually better off continuing to participate in social media, because at least that way, I might at least find out if someone posted something about me.)

I’m not sure if all this is scary or reassuring, but I don't want fear to be my main motivator, so I'm now going to have fun showing off photos of my ridiculously adorable daughter. I will continue to be cautious, and I will refrain from posting my bank account information on my blog, but I will also recognize that we live in a very public world, and I am going to try to accept and maybe even embrace this.

What do you think?  Is privacy an illusion in the digital age?

22 comments:

  1. First, your daughter IS ridiculously adorable!! Second, I've had this very debate so many times in my own head. I finally came to the conclusion that in just a few years, my daughter will be old enough to post pictures of herself to the internet, and all my worrying about not exposing her will have been for nothing :)

    I may regret my decision later, but for now, I'm with you: just sharing my baby girl.

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    1. Wow, kind of scary to think about my daughter posting pictures on the internet, herself (especially because she can't even walk or talk yet, let alone type!)

      I'm glad you can relate. :)

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  2. Your daughter is super cute, and that is a great photo. Your blog becomes so much more personal with photos like that, but I hear you about privacy concerns. When I googled myself and images of myself and my kids came up, I was kinda horrified. Also, I have a picture of my son wrapped in a blanket, but his shoulders are bare and some sicko googled nude toddlers and I somehow discovered which photo came up. So, I keep posting family photos, but yeah, it is a concern. Sorry I have no good answer.

    But I do have this for you, I'm tagging you for The Liebster Blog Award. Yay! http://www.momsnewstage.com/2012/07/liebster-blog-award.html

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    1. Aw, thank you, Keesha! I'm flattered. Now I have to figure out who I'm going to pass it on to, and figure out eleven random facts about myself. Eleven is a lot! :)

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  3. I understand your concerns. I post pictures of my girl on my personal facebook page but the ones I post of her on my blog or my blog facebook page generally are a little more obscure and rarely show her face clearly. It wasn't even something I really thought about, it's just what I've done.

    For what it's worth I'm thrilled to see a picture of that beautiful little girl of yours!

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    1. That's an interesting approach. I really like hearing about other people's thoughts on this, so thank you for sharing. :)

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  4. I do understand your concerns. My friend recently started a blog and voiced similar concerns as well. Here's the thing, though-- you are much more likely to have privacy issues and "stalkers" that involve people you already know personally, as opposed to strangers doing these things. (Not that I'm trying to scare you more!) Just be smart-- and proudly show those beautiful pictures!

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    1. I totally agree that scarier people are those you know personally. I guess the most concerning thing is that people you know personally can also see your blog! Thanks for encouraging me to proudly show my pictures. Since I've now decided to do it, I really appreciate the reassurance that I made the right choice! :)

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  5. I post pictures of my daughter everywhere I possibly can. I think my Facebook friends probably hate me because there is a dialy litter of random baby photos. Sometimes, I will post 10 photos a day, just depends on what we are doing that day! Yes, I am that parent. I can't help it! I want her life documented in every way possible!

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    1. I'm guilty of doing that too. I try not to, but I can't help it either! :)

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  6. I felt that way too. I still go back and forth and want to delete pictures. But I do feel like it makes the blog more authentic. Good job :)

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  7. nice use of the strikethrough! I am tempted to send this post to a couple people I know.

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  8. Unfortunately I think with digital media a lot of privacy has gone forever...If I don't post pictures of me and my family - I find my friends and family tag us in stuff they post anyway..so I post them. - BTW I found your blog from the TGIF blog hop, and glad I did!!

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  9. I know exactly how you feel. I go through all those emotions every time I post pics of my kids. And I'm pretty choosy about which pics I'll show and which ones I keep private. You can't be too careful these days. I'm definitely more of a paranoid parent.

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  10. Good morning! I'm a new follower from the Friday blog hop. I too have been weary about posting pictures of my kids on my blog. I have a little bit and am still kind of cautious. I look forward to more of your posts!
    From Jenny @ www.cassandrazcorner.blogspot.com

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  11. i am on a blog hop and determined to visit and follow everyone on the list. i would love for you to visit and follow me

    http://www.blackinkpaperie.blogspot.com

    thanks
    new follower bev

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  12. I know exactly how you feel. When I started I was so against pictures, but now I add them because people like to see them. She is so wicked cute!!!

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  13. I think all of us who post pictures of our kids (myself included) have debated the same thing. But I'm not overly concerned about the freak who lives across the country who might see a picture of my kid on my blog. I'm more concerned about that same freak who sees me in the grocery store parking lot, and for that I lock my car doors and always keep a watchful eye on my child no matter whether I have a blog or not. I found you on the Blog Hop. Hope you'll visit me as well! http://www.notmymomsblog.com/

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  14. She is cute!! Yes I've asked myself this. I am careful but not super careful. I post my kids, I don't use their names because it isn't hard to figure out my last name and the proximity of where I live. For some reason I feel safer if names are concealed (though I use their first initial and I'm sure I've slipped up. Kim is right, we need to be more cautious of the people around us. I could tell you stories of creepos living near! Anyhoo I'm visiting and following from the blog hop I'm a mom too! Great blog!

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  15. Farmer Bob and I had the same discussion when I started this gig. I was fairly certain that I would refrain from posting their pics, but when his only request was for me to not use their faces, I had to honor that one wish. That is one cute little girl :-) Thanks for linking up with us again!!! So glad to have you!

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  16. I constantly struggle with the same feelings regarding social media. I think as a mother it's impossible to not have those concerns. Your blog is beautiful by the way. Monica (new follower here) at marinobambinos.com

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  17. Your daughter is adorable! I struggled too when making the decision whether or not to post photos of my daughter. And then, my partner DID post a photo on his more established blog...so his actions definitely helped my decision along.

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