Its has been a while since I've posted a blog, not for lack of topics but because I have a pinched nerve that runs from my neck all the way down my right arm, ending in my thumb. It's nearly impossible for me to be at a computer for very long even with a perfect posture! So, tonight's post will mostly be food for thought on a topic that is causing me to do some tweaking in terms of what I post on-line about my kids (stories, photos, milestones, etc).
By now, most of us are aware of YouTube and have likely watched many a video of Sesame Street or cute kittens! We've also likely watched or heard in the news of videos of kids doing amazing things, silly things, embarrassing things, and so on! You may have even posted your own videos, photos, stories, blurbs of your kid(s) on any of the numerous websites, social network sites, etc. In addition, I've noticed many parents have created facebook pages/accnts(?) for their children...who are not yet officially "of age" to be using sites like facebook. (as an aside, I'm not on twitter, myspace, and whatever else exits out there to know what parents have been doing on behalf of their kids).
Here is the realization that I've recently come to... Parents are basically creating their children's virtual life without their permission.
From the time they are born and we post those hospital photos (I'm guilty here) and every single part of their life thereafter (at least until they are somewhere in their teens and they beg us to stop due to embarrassment or because their future employer really does search the net to decide who to hire.) For me, I was thinking this is a great way to "document" my kids life...especially since my own parents didn't place much emphasis on that area on my behalf. But when does this cross the line? Could our kids sue us later for posting their images without their expressed written consent? ok, I'm being funny...but I don't mean to be!
Some Parents may not post a lot about their kids for "safety" reasons...Lord knows there is a predator on every corner these days. Parents should take precautions when posting anything about their kids whether its making sure your privacy settings are up to date, or the content of your postings do not contain information that can trace a child's whereabouts, identity, etc. You can post photos that aren't clear enough to see their face, etc. I"m not advocating that Parents completely refrain from sharing their kids lives on the internet but we NEED to think about what we are doing!
It is my opinion that parents should refrain from posting embarrassing video, photos, stories that will forever haunt their kids, belittle, or cause anxiety when they get older! Parents can share via email to select friends & family instead of posting for all 150+ fb friends to see. Or even us the old fashion method of just verbally telling people "You won't believe what Johnny just did!"... I guarentee it will have the same effect but with a lot less scarring! What you put "out there" in cyberspace on behalf of your kid, is going to be there for a very long time, keep that in mind!
The Good Parent is going to make more of an effort to respect their child who will one day be grown (by the grace of God), respect them enough not to flood their virtual life with anything that will cause them harm in the long run, especially if its to cause a laugh at their expense now.
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