OT: Those with pics of their kids on here...

[kathywithbirds]

Subject kind of came up indirectly recently.

I've posted a pic or two of my daughter, I've never used her name here and I don't think I've used my last name or our specific location in Jersey.

I don't really have anything specific to say on the subject other than wondering how others feel about putting pics of their family on the internet, or IDing info, etc.

I don't think I'm paranoid on the issue but I know exactly where the Megan's Law offenders in town live and I'm careful about what info gets out about my daughter and who gets it.

Just a bump, maybe, to keep the issue in mind.

[caitrina]

One of the issues with posting family pics is that anyone can take that picture off the site and use it anyway they want, use the face on another body, or the body on another face. I made a mistake one time of posting a picture of me with this Halloween Butler one time and I got a message from someone saying I know that Halloween Man, I know where you live. Scared the crap out of me and later found out it was a neighbor. Thing about it was, there was nothing in the picture that identified where I lived unless you were a neighbor or passed by the house and happened to see it. This was even actually by the storage building as I hadn't even moved it to the house yet at this time. From this picture they pin pointed who I was, so with that being said I guess it proves that even if we think we are being smart about some of the pics we post, sometimes there is someone smarter, I guess...and if the area is known anyone can be pin pointed and targeted

[DrHank]

I think that you are doing what you can to protect your identity and your family. I can see nothing good that would come from, or any reason why, you should post your last name or actual location. If for some reason you wish to disclose that to someone, I think that you should do so privately. My two girls are both grown and I know that in this day and age they don't go handing out their name, where they live or phone number.

[Melanie]

I know what you are saying. When I see a pic of a cute little girl on any site I worry about predators.

[lcstorc]

I usually stick with first name and city. That is what the kids are allowed as well (youngest is 16 so they are not "little kds") They are also only allowed to talk to people they know from somewhere else.
Hopefuly this protects them enough but we have also had many chats about what to look out for etc so they can be aware of what happens around them. I just don't feel right not letting them talkt to their friends etc on the net. I do insist that I have passwords etc to their myspace and email and will tell them occasionally that I am going in to look around.
So far they have followed the rules at least and hopefully are relatively safe. None of us are truly safe but I do what I can.
BTW I am their step-mom. Their mom's answer is to not allow them any access to their computers or the internet at all. Personally at their ages I think they need to start understanding the world they live in and learn how to protect themselves. I would have a totally different opinion if they were still little. Then, no way no how.

[kathywithbirds]

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Their mom's answer is to not allow them any access to their computers or the internet at all.

I don't agree with that either. I'm a little more the other way, expose them somewhat so they do understand there's danger out there, and maybe they'll be a little more apt to be able to protect themselves or respond appropriately if an adult is not immediately available.

A little off the subject, it kind of gets me when people go on about how cute my little one is to her (she is, of course : ) ... I always tell her being pretty helps but it's more important to be smart. Having good looks will open doors, admitted, but being intelligent enough to know if those are the doors you want is much more important.

[lcstorc]

Originally Posted by kathywithbirds

I don't agree with that either. I'm a little more the other way, expose them somewhat so they do understand there's danger out there, and maybe they'll be a little more apt to be able to protect themselves or respond appropriately if an adult is not immediately available.

A little off the subject, it kind of gets me when people go on about how cute my little one is to her (she is, of course : ) ... I always tell her being pretty helps but it's more important to be smart. Having good looks will open doors, admitted, but being intelligent enough to know if those are the doors you want is much more important.

That is a lot more like my line of thinking and what I try to do with them when they are here. Unfortunately they get punished there for what they do here. Fortunately the oldest who told on everybody for everything just left for school. The other three mind their own business and I keep a pretty close eye on what they do and don't do and their laptops are routinely scanned to see where they have been. Basically I allow them fredom but they know I am watching. So far this has worked. Plus they get to talk to their friends etc. (LOL they call from my cell most times and I save the numbers. LOl They are well aware I do it and laugh at me for it.)


As to the pretty part, I agree. All 4 of my step-kids are very good looking and that scares me to. I want their minds to develop much more than their appearance but actually it fit with the original post. A good looking kid who's pic is on the net somewhere is much more likely to become prey in some fashoin. It scares me but I don't know what else I can do other than keep my eyes and ears open.

The advantage to allowing them some freedom is that some will actually come and tell you what is going on and even ask for advice. I would much rather they come to me if something is going on. They don't feel like they can talk to their mother at all since she just wants to put them in a glass cage.

[boozeman]

such a scary world we live in