Friday, January 27, 2012

Blogging and Privacy

It has become very popular to blog about very personal matters online.  The ease of posting pictures of children and family members without any seeming repercussions or danger has led to (mostly) moms posting pictures and information for all the world to see and read.  Daily events and activities, along with feelings normally kept to oneself or expressed only to God are now put on display.

Now think about it; would you make up a journal of things that happen in your family, good and bad, put in pictures of your children and yourself, along with their names and ages, and then leave it in the waiting room at the doctor's office, or the local car repair shop?  Would it not bother you that strangers would now have this information about you and your precious little ones?

Hanging the Washing
Hanging the...


We have a false sense of security and safety because we don't see the other people reading our blogs and looking at pictures of our children.  But, they do.  Anybody, everybody, can read what you've written, and see what pictures you've posted, if you have put it up on the internet.  It used to be that people did not readily share so much information with others, even in real life.  But now people are so nosy, you are suspected of hiding something if you don't divulge all information from the past, present, and future.  Facebook and Twitter have become outlets for people to tell every single thing they are doing, feeling, and thinking.  Privacy has almost become a thing of the past, but it doesn't have to be, nor should it be.

There are many ill-intentioned people that will use the information you post against you and those you love.  If you don't believe this, and even if you do, I invite you to read this eye-opening post by Lady Lydia about online safety.

Lady in White Reading
Lady in White...



Recording Events for the Sake of Remembrance

Well, how can you record things that you have done, and done as a family, for remembering and enjoying later on?  Of course there is the "old-fashioned" journal to write in.  This is not published for all the world to see, but be careful of feelings written down, and keep in mind that your journal may one day be found.  You might want to stick more with actual events that took place, instead of focusing on feelings you have had.  We can always share our feelings with the Lord and ask Him to help us have a right heart and thoughts.  We don't, however, need to record every wrong received and every hurt feeling felt.  You could also make a scrapbook with your precious pictures of the children, or stick the photos in your journal.

Another option to record things you don't want to forget, is to have a private blog.  This blog could be for writing down all the fun things you and the children have done together, funny things they have said, and how homeschooling is coming along.  You can even post pictures here and descriptions that will keep the memories intact.  Blogger has the ability to make your blog private, which means it is not available for others to view, but only to you when you are logged in.  Use your public blog for sharing encouragement with other ladies, tips on homemaking, the latest crafts you are working on, and other things not of a private nature.

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17 comments:

  1. Very interesting points, but at the same time we can't live in fear of the "what if!" All the time, you can blog, post pictures, share share glimpse of you life and still be safe and trusting the Lord.

    Missonairies overseas who are brigning their family in countries where they share their faith, put the life of those they love in danger.

    So if your ministry call you to live a life for all to see, if its his will, all we can do is trust and obey

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  2. Very interesting points, but at the same time we can't live in fear of the "what if!" All the time, you can blog, post pictures, share share glimpse of you life and still be safe and trusting the Lord.

    Missonairies overseas who are brigning their family in countries where they share their faith, put the life of those they love in danger.

    So if your ministry call you to live a life for all to see, if its his will, all we can do is trust and obey

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    1. I and many others, enjoy your blog, Mrs. Stam. Of course you have to do what you and Mr. Stam have decided is best for your family. Just be aware that there really are those people who would mean you harm.

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    2. I agree that there are people that have "hate" in there heart. And we need to be a shining light and pray for protection daily.

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  3. I agree with you so much on this!! I'll admit that now and then I have a moment where I would like to share more things that I do, but in the end, I know it is not for the best. I like my blog and sharing what I do share on it, but I also like that I haven't bared my soul there for all the world to see. I am truly becoming concerned for *how much* we allow electronics to guide our days. It's just all starting to feel very wrong and perhaps like a modern day tower of Babel. I'll spare you my soapbox, lol, but I wanted to comment to let you know this was a very good post and I agree with it.

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    1. I understand what you're saying, Mrs. V. We are always so "connected" to everything electronically...

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  4. Well said!

    I've seen your button at a few blogs I regularly visit and have looked around. I appreciate the biblical encouragement you provide here. I added you to my kindred links ~ I hope that is ok!

    Blessings to you,
    Katie

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  5. Such wise advice, Mrs. Q. I am always striving to write encouraing posts on my blog, while keeping my private matters to a "bare minimum." Still, sometimes I wonder if I am saying and telling "too much."

    The virtual world can be a wonderful place for interacting with various like-minded individuals. However, like anything else, it does have its drawbacks.

    By the way, people should know that Blogger's private blog feature is not consistent. Sometimes, people can still access your private blog if they have the link to your blog on their sidebar. Also, even though you click for your blog to be private and it's never been public before, somehow, it still shows-up as public to others. A better option for private blogs would be to use Word Press, as they don't seem to have these inconsistencies.

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  6. I am so glad you have brought this subject up. I am worried at times when I see blogs that are so open about where they live. The town is even mentioned and show the front of their homes and inside and the children's rooms, names of their schools etc. Yes we need to think before showing our families faces or any information that should be private. Also we should think twice before we blog about anything that one of our families might not want to be said about them. Think twice...but also ask their permission too. Thank you for bring this up. Sarah

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  7. Oh boy...yes it's all true! Great post. I'm going to link to this on my blog.

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  8. Very true. I try and avoid photos of my sons where possible and use their names. I do worry when young children are posted.

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  9. My husband doesn't let me post pictures of us because of what happened to a blogging friend. I also have been chatting with cousin Lydia about these things. I know I have been working on being more careful about what feelings I write down that are not edifying. You are right. It is not wise to post negative feelings for all to see. Thank you for this wise post. :)

    Have a blessed weekend!

    Mrs. A

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  10. I understand what you are saying. It's one reason I am afraid to have a blog. But also, I have been disappointed a couple of times when a blog I have read regularly suddenly becomes private and I have no way to read it.It feels like I've lost a friend.
    Linda

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  11. Because of keeping things private I switched from blogging (I didn't use my real name while blogging either) to making my private journal, not online, only for me to see, so I can write more in detail about things going on in our lives.

    Greetings from The Netherlands,
    Thara

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  12. I struggled with this....then my friends told me there is no longer such a thing as privacy and it is so 80's thinking and proceeded to prove that to me...really, unbelievable!! and employers see a lot more than the face before them when they interview...
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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  13. hmm.
    I honestly can say I have thought about this, but it never really went past the thinking phase. I just recently started a blog about our homeschooling adventures, you are truly making me guess if this was the right thing to do.I do post pictures on facebook and on the blog and we even have a homeschool youtube channel. I never really thought about it in terms of the doc. office. I just thought of it as a good place ot "have proof" if someone wanted to look into our homeschool. Hm. At the same time , I dont want to live in fear, and I dont want my children to have to either. THank you for posting this, you have given me much to think about.
    In His Light
    Sarah

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