Saying goodbye – and safety in blogging

I’ve learned a lot recently about keeping yourself safe while you blog. As a – ahem – mature mother, I was not worried about my blogging attracting an Internet predator, or becoming a target for someone’s personal fantasies. There are a multitude of websites on how to stay safe while blogging as a teenager. However, I also was not worried about protecting my “real” identity and that of my kids. Shame on me.

I’d like to think that the world is a safe, caring place, where “everyone” has others’ best interests at heart, but alas, ’tis not so. Blogging can get you fired. Numerous employees across the country have discovered that #1: blogging is not a protected first Amendment right, #2: lots of people can figure out who you are in cybersace and #3, employers do not like employees who share trade secrets, whine and complain, or post suggestive pictures of themselves, especially in company uniforms. Hard lesson to learn.

Blogging can also get you sued. Bloggers are responsible for their own writing and making sure that they are careful in what they say, but they are also responsible for comments posted on their blogs and can be sued for libel because of said comments. Ouch!

Another blogging hazard on the rise is cyber-bullying. According to Parry Aftab, director of WiredSafety.org, “The problem is bad and it’s getting worse.”
While this is most often affecting young people, it can also apply to adults. The Kitsap Sun ran an article on how to avoid cyber-bullying which can apply to adults as well as children.
Another link on cyber-bullying.

Blogging details about your family can also hurt you personally AND spill over and hurt the ones closest to you. The sad truth is there are people “out there” who take pleasure in hurting others – maybe they feel threatened by someone who is doing good things they themselves can’t or won’t do. Maybe they just think it’s “fun”. But, I have learned that anything – good, bad or even neutral can be taken, twisted and used against you. Perhaps it’s time to for all bloggers to go by the “safe blogging” suggestions for teens – use a screen name, not your real name, don’t blog with any identifying details that let people find the “real” you, and be extra careful with any information that can put your children at risk.

Our family has been burned – badly – by my non-anonymous blogging. More than slandering and libeling me and my terrific husband (which is annoying, but we’re tough), they have chosen to hurt my children. My deeply loved, cherished and cared-for children (who often deal with big issues – doesn’t make ‘em any less loved, duh.) I asked my dh today if I should share more details about our situation and he said “No – protect yourself for once”. So, here is my sign-off on blogging. It has ended badly for us and we won’t be exposing ourselves in the blogosphere any more. And to the people who don’t even know us but who think they can and should be judge, jury and executionery – don’t judge us by YOUR inadequacies and YOUR obvious lack of compassion, caring and love – or indeed, any positive emotion. May God have mercy on your dark, twisted souls.

Here are some more links on blogging safely:

Safe Blogging Resources

Safe blogging tips for teens

Microsoft’s blogging tips

CNN’s tips

Pew Report on kids and technology

One More

And see here for different opinions:

Why one guy does not blog anonymously

More on why some bloggers prefer to NOT be anonymous

One more

Finally, our very own Sandra, who just blogged about why she is NOT anonymous.

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