Blogs and privacy

[3parrots]

Most of the blogs I have read are written by young people...those of you 18 to <30ish

 

I like reading them. But I feel I'm an honest/good person. I worry about ladies having trouble with the "bad guys". I'm sure you have it all figured out...yet it worries me...and to see pictures of the blogger and/or the family makes me really uneasy. I'd love to have my mind at rest on this topic. Please enlighten me. :^i^ I'm new to the idea of online diaries/blogs.

 

Grandmother Margaret

[Julie]

I think it's a sensitive subject for everyone. I see things that worry me sometimes too. For myself I do use my real first name, I tell the city and state where I live. I don't use my last name or give out my address. I try to protect the privacy of people I may write about by changing names or using initials if I can.

 

I'm not a good example though of meeting people online - or actually I guess I am. Rick and I met online almost five years ago. He lived in California and I here in Georgia. After two years of being apart he moved here to be with me. He will have been here for three years this May 12th.

 

I don't necessarily advocate meeting people in person that you meet online. It can be very dangerous. Rick and I got to know each other so well over those two years than neither of us were disappointed when we finally were able to be together. I can't really speak for anyone else. I know it is an individual choice that you make when start talking in person to someone you don't know other than over the computer. I just hope everyone is very careful! <img border=0 src="http://members.aol.com/dustkittys/hug.gif" />

[Donna]

I wish we had it all figured out. Having lived in the D.C. area most of my life (though I don't live there any more) I decided that you have to try to make wise choices to strike a balance between safety and doing the things you love, things you want to do, the things you have a right to do.

 

I don't reveal my last name or my location in my blog. I haven't yet posted photos of myself. I'd like to, but I'm not sure I will. I'm still wavering on that one.

 

One of the things I don't do is to list my blog publicly. Yes, you can Google it, but it's not listed on the blogger.com home page under Fresh Blogs. That's because I have my Blogger account set to No for Public Blog? If it's set to yes, every time you update your blog it will be listed under Fresh Blogs. I also don't list my blog on any other public lists like blogwise, etc. I figure, if you want to know about crochet, you'll find my blog. Otherwise, you probably won't.

 

A friend of mine met his wife online; they lived on opposite sides of the country. I have another friend who has dated a few people from an online dating service; none of them worked out, but they weren't weirdos, just regular people. You do have to be careful though; make wise choices.

 

I've never heard a news story about anyone being stalked by a stranger who read their blog. Anyone ever heard anything like that?

[3parrots]

Thanks for answering my post. I've not heard of a blogger being stalked.

 

I like the idea of limiting the advertisement of the blogs. That should keep the number of web surfers out. What made me start thinking seriously about this subject was a sewing blog I read which had porno notes listed in the comment section. It made me cringe.

 

Sometimes, while reading on the internet, I feel like I'm in the middle of the Wild Wild West or worse. Perhaps it's my age/background or maybe I'm too sensitive.

 

Anyway, the crochet blogs are wonderful. :wave

 

Margaret

[Tiffany]

Some of the commenting programs that we can use on our blogs (i.e. Haloscan) give you the ability to delete posts and block users, which makes me feel safe for that "just in case".

[Guest PamCrochets]

I don't think the Internet is any more or less dangerous than any other place. A certain amount of caution needs to be used no matter where you are. We tend to be nervous about the Internet because we hear so much about strangers stalking children through the Internet. I feel that the Internet is the same as anyplace else. For example:

If you wouldn't give your address or phone number to a stranger, then you don't want to post it on the Internet. :nono

If you wouldn't get in a car with a stranger, then you don't want to meet someone from the Internet and get in his/her car. :nono

If you wouldn't let you child roam the streets alone and go with strangers, then you don't want to let him/her roam the Internet alone and talk with strangers. :nono

There are more of course, but you get the idea.

On the other hand, if you go out to a social gathering, some guy can follow you to your car, or follow you home, or worse. The Internet is still new enough that people are nervous, but if you really think about it we see way more violent crimes on the news about people off the computer, than crimes that started on-line. As with anything that involves public places (and the Internet is a public place), use good judgment, but don't stop living. Proceed with caution. :Y

 

~Pam

[3parrots]

I agree with most all of the above posts.

 

I wasn't thinking about dating or marrying someone from the Internet... Most people are on guard when they explore and use the Internet this way.

 

I was thinking about sharing about ones self in a blog/diary. Over time a lot will be written... Perhaps an individual might think they know you...and cross proper boundaries. Making the blogger's life difficult?

 

Just a thought.

 

Margaret

[Guest KnottyMouse]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr> wasn't thinking about dating or marrying someone from the Internet... Most people are on guard when they explore and use the Internet this way.<hr></blockquote>

<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif" /> I married the 'weirdo' I met online -- LOL So far its 6 years and one kid later.. we met long distance (PA-GA) and I flew down to meet him. I never left.. LOL

I totally agree about being cautious online which is why I never post my address or real name. Most people I know online know me as Hawke or Mouse depending on where I am at the time.. and some people I have met online still call me Hawke when they call my house because its' been my nickname for so long. I was facing the same issues when I started taking pictures of some of my new projects - whether I'm going to show my face on the blog or not. I just try not to name names and I think its safe enough to be here and do this.

-- Mouse

[Guest LisaG]

Hi Margaret,

 

I've had a blog for almost 4 years now, and I've never had a problem with anyone trying to get too personal as a result. (However, I'm not Miss Personality of the blogging world, so only family and friends generally visit the blog.) I agree with what Pam stated - you just have to take precautions similar to those you would in the off-line world. I don't list my last name or the exact location where I live. I also avoid giving out specific details, such as where I work, names of co-workers, etc.

 

As an aside, I also met my husband online - we both lived in the Atlanta area though. We've been together for 2.5 years and married for 1.5 years.

[Guest miss crocheter]

i agree.

i met my b/friend on the internet 4 years ago, i was so ashamed of telling people (not now though)

i think your safe just as long as you dont give your address and phone numbers out in your blog or where ever.

the problem with the internet is you only here the bad and not the good.

people should just be extra careful on the internet speacially the kiddies, i wont let my kids on it.

[3parrots]

It's good to know everyone is having a good experience with their blogs, etc. I love to read them and would hate to think it was a problem for the blogger. Your responses do make me feel better.

 

I hope I haven't made anyone think I am against online relationships. I personally know of two happy marriages that began with two people meeting this way.

 

Again, thanks for the thoughtful responses.

Margaret

[Ambersafghans]

"people should just be extra careful on the internet speacially the kiddies, i wont let my kids on it."

Angie, our family has characterlink (at least on my account and my brothers) and it blocks 99% of the bad stuff. you have to submit sites for them to evaluate, and it blockes pop ups.

but, I wanted to add my two sense here quick.

we are planning on attending a Reception next month for a neighbor who just got married. Or rather, his son. And guess what? He met his wife in a chat room! And He isn't the kind of guy who spends all of his time on the internet either. He has his own bussiness! (he's in his early 20s I think) Anyway, I've met his wife (before they were married) and she is a very sweet Christian girl.

I've heard of a lot of meetings on the internet on this forum that have "ended" in long term relationships. but I just thought I'd add my two sense. (I'm actually very excited about the reception!!!!!)

Okay sorry to be blabbing so long.

You can wake up now!|I