If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that I don’t really reference my kids by name, and never post photos of them. Although, if you’ve met me in person, you know I’m an extremely proud mom who shows off pictures of my kids on my iPhone constantly. So, why the disconnect?
Call me old fashioned, or overly cautious, but I just don’t feel comfortable putting photos of my kids online. It’s definitely hindered me at times – I would have loved to enter the Johnson’s Bathtime YouTube contest, but figured a video of me just talking about bathtime would have been pretty boring. But, I just don’t feel right about it personally, although I know tons of other moms do it on their blogs and have had no problems.
I also haven’t granted permission for my kid’s preschool to put pictures of them on their website. Again, it’s the privacy thing, but in this case, I don’t want some sketchy person to know exactly where to find my kids during the day. It’s the same reason I won’t let my kids wear t-shirts advertising the same pre-school.
Am I being overly cautious? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Photo credit: Jen DeCesari
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m new here, but here’s my two cents: I’m hesitant to put my kids on FB, even though the people who will see them are “friends”. I’m just funny about that for the same reasons you mention. I don’t put them on Flickr, either.
I no longer refer to my kids by their names on my blogs, but obviously it’s a photography blog so there’s my answer. I guess I just focus more on what the real threats to them are in my community. So yes, checking the PA state Megan’s Law site by zip code is sobering when there is a sex offender registered down the street, yk? I’ve been more weirded out by men I’ve seen wandering the local zoo leering at groups of school kids than I have been by knowing who visits my site and how often. I guess that’s the long way of saying that I don’t think your kids are any safer if you don’t post their photos. More anonymous yes, but not safer.