05 March 2012

Internet Fears

Since a blogger friend of mine decided to end her blog (that sounds so dramatic) because she felt she was exposing too much online and didn't want to exploit her unborn daughter, I've been thinking about how much I put out there for anyone and everyone to see. I wouldn't ever say anything on here that I wouldn't say in real life and I'm okay with posting personal things about myself because what can anyone do with information about my boring life and opinions, really?

But I do post pictures of my baby. Lots and lots of picture. And that has started to kinda freak me out.

So I've decided to start putting a watermark on all of my pictures of Natalie. I think it kinda ruins a photo but it makes me feel better about exposing her so much so publicly. I'm flattered when I see people find my blog by Googling words like, "beautiful babies" but really weirded out when they find me by searching things like "hispanic four month old baby boy" (?). It makes me wonder why they're looking for those images. I don't think I'm being paranoid, because there are some crazy people out there. And I have some examples.

Long ass story and stalker-y details short, a friend of a friend had a picture of a baby as his profile picture on Facebook. I found out that it wasn't his kid, just some random persons baby. By some strange turn in the universe I was reading an article on Yahoo the other day and found the person whose baby it actually was, via the comments section. I thought about messaging this person and just sending them the link to his page but decided not to.

I also knew someone once who faked an entire pregnancy and the birth. She posted pictures of a baby online that she said was hers, but it wasn't. It could have been a family member she took the pictures from, or she could have taken the photos from anywhere on the internet.

Crazy shit, and I know I have to be careful. Honestly there isn't much harm anyone could do by using my kids picture and passing it off as their own if they wanted to, but it creeps me out and would really piss me off if they did. I probably would never find out anyway, but I still want to be cautious while showing the world my daughter.

21 Thoughts :

Shannon March 5, 2012 at 6:22 PM  

Um CREEPERS!! Fake an entire pregnancy?? What in the F*CK?!

I can definitely understand not wanting people to steal photos. Maybe when/if I am a mother (one day) I will understand the "exploiting" thing... Right now, it just sounds strange to end a blog because of it. But hey, to each her own, and I can respect her decision! Holla!

I guess as your blog grows, there may be more reason for concern. I will probably never break 20 subscribers (my life goal) so I guess I'm not worry anytime soon. But I may start being cautious of over-sharing pics of my dog...hmm..

Kristin March 5, 2012 at 6:27 PM  

That stuff is suuuuuper creepy, ick, people are weird. :(

Venassa March 5, 2012 at 6:28 PM  

I never really thought about it before, but it would creep me out too.

Stephanie March 5, 2012 at 6:55 PM  

I have seriously thought about the watermark too, and probably will do it, but then I figured not that many people read my blog. Truth is though we have no idea who is reading so it's better to be safe than sorry. That is a pretty crazy story though!!

Amanda @ New Adventures March 5, 2012 at 7:29 PM  

That is super scary! I understand why you would be cautious. Your just a good protective mommy :)

kyna... March 5, 2012 at 7:34 PM  

I'm right there with you! It's scary isn't it?? About 3 weeks after I started my blog, I considered taking it down because of some scary stories I heard about blogs and kids pictures. I decided to continue, and I'm so glad I did, but I watermark my pictures and my last name, town that I live in, etc are never discussed on my blog for added security!
♥ Kyna

Melanie March 5, 2012 at 7:38 PM  

Ewwww. Jeepers Creepers. Dude, some people just scare the heck out of me. I try to be super careful, but this stuff freaks me out too! Uggg!

Katie March 5, 2012 at 7:48 PM  

WHATTT somebody faked a pregnancy online?!??! So weird! I do not blame you! I will probably do the same once we have little babies!

Shannon March 5, 2012 at 9:35 PM  

I was juuuuuust telling my husband that I may start watermarking my images too. Especially since some of my pictures are ending up on pinterest.

Anyway - I'm totally with you.

Marjorie March 5, 2012 at 9:39 PM  

Crazy stuff. Did you ever read the blog "Life Down the Rabbit Hole?" I used to read that blog and I think the lady faked a pregnancy and having a daughter? It was so strange. Then when people started catching on and confronting her through comments, she removed the blog.

I just stick with things I would tell strangers in real life. I'm careful. I've gone back and forth with watermarking. I thought it looked snotty, but now you're making me reconsider.

Danielle-Marie March 5, 2012 at 11:25 PM  

Yeah, it creeps me out too.
I don't post pictures very often but I think I should definitely start watermarking my photos too. Great idea, and thanks for bringing this to my attention again.

Holly March 6, 2012 at 2:13 AM  

Yikes! That's definitely creepy about someone you know faking an entire pregnancy and birth with photos from somewhere online! I don't blame you for watermarking your pictures - I'd do the same if I had a child I was writing about.

prettymeggy March 6, 2012 at 8:49 AM  

i've heard many horrible stories and i've thinking the same since i'm posting pictures of my baby... i know there are really some crazy people so i just have to think twice before posting. maybe i should do the watermarks too!
xoxo, Haus of Gala

Charris March 6, 2012 at 2:54 PM  

This is what stops me from posting pictures on my blog, of me or my kids. I am just not fond of personal pics of the internet. I don't even use facebook for that same reason. Sometimes I do think pictures make blogs more pesonal, but I just can't bring myself to post them.

Krista March 7, 2012 at 10:49 AM  

I feel you girl. That's why you'll find very few pics of my kids on my blog and even then, you really can't see their faces. Just being careful you know. I went to a class about child sexual abuse awareness and how they profile and it just really freaked me out. I know I can't completely protect them but I can at least limit their exposure. Best of luck!

Denise March 7, 2012 at 9:25 PM  

There are some serious creeps in this world! I need to be a lot more careful when it comes to my son too. No one messes with my child!! :)

Our Happy Married Life... March 9, 2012 at 9:38 AM  

i've been thinking about this same issue lately. In fact, I just took down a couple pictures of my daughter that I put on my blog and regret. Nothing crazy just regret doing it. You never know who's on the other side of the screen. In fact, i've debated going private since the only reason I really blog is for ME and MY family. Not sure...

Caiti March 12, 2012 at 7:54 PM  

:)

ms.composure March 14, 2012 at 4:56 PM  

stumbled onto your blog and just wanted to leave you a little blog luv! def enjoyed this post



http://infinitelifefitness.com

http://mscomposure.blogspot.com

Anonymous March 15, 2012 at 12:46 PM  

This thought constantly goes through my head. I cant believe someone stole pictures and pretended to have that baby. This makes me think maybe I should go back to putting a watermark on pics again. This is a big issue in the blogging world and I do know several blogs that dont reveal the name of thier LO's call them nicknames or just letters x x

Kelly March 20, 2012 at 9:57 PM  

Whoa, a fake pregnancy? That would take so much effort!!