As I posted “my” picture as Miss Congeniality, I was faced with the question of putting too much information about myself out there on my blog. Specifically, my last name. I had never been forthcoming about that information until I was selected as a judge for Playtex’s Smelly Tales contest. They wanted my last name and it is shown publicly for all the world to know.
It bugged me at first, but now I realize that so many bloggers and just people in general spread their names across the web. Also, I look at celebrities. I mean, we know their names, their children’s names, and often where they live. We also know more personal stuff about them like who they are dating and where they went for drug treatment and rehab.
So what do you think? Do you have concerns about sharing too much information on the web?
About Kim
Hey Kim! I used to think about this too until I remembered I own my own domain name and was too cheap to get the privacy thingy. Also, you never know what can end up out there that’s out of your control. I found my phone number out there once by googling myself and finding a kids soccer league coaches list that I was on that someone had put up.
I definitely worry about it. I have yet to mention my last name, town, or even general location. I didn’t use names when I first started blogging, but I overcame that.
You just never know what weirdo is out there reading about your life, but I guess that’s a risk we take as bloggers. :)
Sarah,
That’s a good way to put what I was thinking into words…about the locked door.
So far I’ve tried to keep my last name and actual town out of the picture. And yet, I had a random visitor email me and she had totally pegged the town. I don’t know. On the one hand, I want to keep a few things quiet. On the other, I sort of feel like if you’re going to be targeted, you’re going to be targeted. Kind of like locking my door. It’s a deterrent, but if someone wants to get in, they’re going to get in.
Carole,
I had to weight the pros and cons when Playtex contacted me about being a judge for their contest. Once they were going to display my name, there was no going back. We decided that it is no different really than ordering a pizza over the phone(we had our debit card # stolen that way) as far as identity theft is concerned. I’m not sure we really considered the “weirdo” aspect but I figure if we get to the point where I’m a target, if I ever get successful enough to get that kind of attention, we’ll have the resources to handle it and would take other extra precautions.
Debateur,
You obviously can delete mine as an entry, well, I’d love to see it discussed on your site so can you leave it on the topic list and just not count it for the prize?
I asked the question and then thought I’d love to hear it discussed from a debate perspective not just a “are you paranoid too” discussion.
Did that make sense?
Seesawstar,
I got to the point where there was no turning back, and although it bothers me a bit, all I can do now is to make sure other areas of my life are in place so nothing stupid happens (at least those things I can forsee).
Hi Kim! Yes, I’m a bit freaky about this too for some reason. I hear what you are saying and it makes perfect sense, but I’m still a bit nervous about my entire name being available for all to see.
Now Now. Do I disqualify your entry because you’ve already blogged about it and I can’t use it ?
Good topic by the way !
…I’m not the only paranoid person out there? Really? But no, seriously, I have the very same concerns. I don’t like revealing my first name, and definately not my last name. I don’t like revealing the names of my family members. I would LOVE to share the cutesey patootsie pictures of my little princess, but I would never dare to in a million years. There is just way too much unknown out there, and while I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, I’m not stupid and I do know that there are people out there trolling around for less-than-honorable reasons. In my opinion I’ll rather be safe than sorry.