My father has a sign that always hung in the garage growing up. It read, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. Proverbs 22:1.”
My father-in-law always told his children whenever they went out somewhere: “Remember the family name.”
A good reputation used to matter… and I think it still does. Yet with the Internet opening new avenues for crime, scams, and negative content, a person’s name (read: reputation) is easier than ever to ruin, through no fault of their own.
I already check my credit score and other data regularly to be sure nobody is using my identity. There’s a fancy name for this: reputation management. But even my children’s identity can be compromised or stolen.
Could they end up with bad credit before they even start kindergarten?
Could their future educational or career choices be compromised before they even begin?
This concerns me.
Private data? Isn’t really that. We all know how fast someone can “share” a cute kids’ photo on Facebook without asking permission (please don’t do this!!). Or leave a blog comment using the child’s name without thinking about how that comment is now readable to the whole world!
My husband and I selected our children’s names with care. We wanted their names to impart a strong meaning they could live up to. I’d love to talk about why and how we chose our sons’ names, but I’m concerned using their names will risk their privacy.
So, right now, I don’t use our children’s names on the blog. I don’t know how long I’ll maintain this position. Part of me says I am protecting them. Another part says their information is already out there.
I’ll do everything I can to protect my children… but I also don’t want to live like a hermit in fear of those who use technology for evil. So, I am curious – do you use your children’s names online, and why/why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for a balanced plan of online safety for my family.
This is a sponsored post.
Henrietta
Thursday 28th of June 2012
I just used my children's nicknames when I started blogging. It was a natural choice and not one I really made consciously. Now that I blog regularly, I am mostly glad I've stuck with nicknames. I know I have slipped here and there with their first names. and I do use my first name and sometimes my husbands. I never mention the name of our town, just surrounding areas and I blur out anything with school names etc. on them. that being said., in this day, if someone wanted to find someone - you really can't stop them.
Henrietta
Thursday 28th of June 2012
wow, really have punctuation issues in that comment :P!
Henrietta
Thursday 28th of June 2012
I just used my children's nicknames when I started blogging. It was a natural choice and not one I really made consciously. Now that I blog regularly, I am mostly glad I've stuck with nicknames. I know I have slipped here and there with their first names. and I do use my first name and sometimes my husbands. I never mention the name of our town, just surrounding areas and I blur out anything with school names etc. on them. that being said., in this day, if someone wanted to find someone - you really can't stop them.
Henrietta
Thursday 28th of June 2012
wow, really have punctuation issues in that comment :P!
Nichol
Thursday 28th of June 2012
I do use my children's names. It wasn't something I even thought about until I started reading articles. I respect everyone who doesn't, and would never share someone's child or even use their kid's name in a comment. It is a scary online world.
Nichol
Thursday 28th of June 2012
I do use my children's names. It wasn't something I even thought about until I started reading articles. I respect everyone who doesn't, and would never share someone's child or even use their kid's name in a comment. It is a scary online world.
Shell Fruscione
Thursday 28th of June 2012
I do use my son's name, but it wasn't without some thought upfront. First of all, he has a different last name than I do, so someone would have to do a little bit of digging to find it. That said, if someone is willing to do that little bit of digging, they could find it whether it was the same or not very easily and so since my name is already out there, his can be found anyway. But I totally get the decision to keep it private & respect it fully!