I've been thinking. And reading. And thinking some more.
While looking for something totally different, I came across a blog article about Pinterest. As it happens, I joined Pinterest recently after holding out for a while, and I love it! We've had to reboot our computer several times in the past year, and each time I would lose my favorites. With Pinterest, I can access my "favorites" on any computer, and it's even visual. Score!
However, one blogger's article got me thinking. She has a blog that gets a lot of traffic (think millions of hits), because she also has a business. She posts pictures of her children on her blog, and is uncomfortable with the idea of her kids' pictures being Pinned -- it's such a very public venue, after all.
I don't have a great deal of traffic on my blog, and most of the people who visit are you, my dear faithful readers. But since my blog is public, anyone can stop by. I'm okay with that, and have taken certain steps (not posting our last names, exact residence, or even the first name of our baby) to protect our privacy. Until recently, my husband and I were also comfortable posting pictures of our son.
But everything I read got me thinking -- I don't have the ability to ask Little Man if he minds having his picture plastered on the Internet (even if it's just my little bloggy corner), and I desire to respect his privacy. When he's 10, or 18, or 36, he may not appreciate having his childhood available for all and sundry to observe.
So from now on, I don't plan to post pictures of Little Man, or any of his future siblings. I'm not sure if that will be a total nix, or if we'll decide that "nondescript" snapshots (hands, feet, from behind -- basically, pictures that could be anybody's kid) are okay. I plan to leave up the pictures of Little Man I've already posted, perhaps with captions requesting that they not be Pinned. And I don't intend to stop posting pictures of myself, since I'm an adult and can decide what I'm personally comfortable with the whole world seeing.
I hope you'll understand that this decision in no way reflects distrust of you, my faithful readers. But I can't control who visits my blog, and not every random visitor may be as thoughtful as you are!
I'm a bit disappointed to end up at this conclusion, since Little Man is by far my favorite photographic subject! *wink* But for the sake of our family's privacy, I think it's the right choice for us.
In other news, Summer has already arrived here in Florida, life with a toddler is delightful and challenging all-at-the-same-time, and tonight is pizza night. Oh yes, life is good! Time to get back to work on some sewing projects for a sweet new baby in our church...
A thought provoking post :)
ReplyDeleteI do not use Pinterest because I was concerned of copyright issues.
I do however have a new blog and do not plan on posting many personal photos without at least watermarking them.
A question for you, do you participate in Facebook and/or Twitter? I have but chose to delete Facebook due to privacy concerns, time restraints and to focus on more important things.
How do you as a mom and wife utilize your time online?
Thank you :)
Blessings,
Mrs. Brooks
Mrs. Brooks,
ReplyDeleteMy initial concern with Pinterest was that it would be a time waster, but I find that I only browse the main page once in a blue moon (and only when I have no tasks at hand). I'm still waiting to see how the copyright thing pans out, but Pinterest just updated their policy and I hope that has taken care of the issue.
Internet time is always an issue for me -- even though I don't have either Facebook or Twitter! Well, I do have accounts for the purpose of couponing, since so many good coupons require a Facebook "like." I don't use social networking for the purposes of privacy (anything posted to Facebook becomes their property as per their terms, even if you delete it later on), and also because I do not want to risk substituting Facebook "friendships" for actual relationships. If I value a relationship, I will invest actual time into it via phone, e-mail, etc. Plus, I know I would waste time there. Twitter is just way too ADD for me, and since I don't have a smart phone, it's neither easy nor practical for me.
As for using my time -- I subscribe to about 20 blogs (2 of which are coupon blogs), and check for updates on my Blogger dashboard. This makes it easy to scan for new posts and see if there's anything interesting, without having to visit each and every blog individually when there may or may not be a new post. I really do struggle to control my web/computer time, since many of my activities (e-mail, blog, photo editing, Skype, research, etc.) use the computer. Starting a home management binder has really helped me to be more on track with household tasks, which is something I plan to blog about in the near future.
Sometimes I want to chuck the computer altogether, but I know the real answer is for me to use self control. It's a daily struggle, but by God's grace I hope to balance my responsibilities prudently.
I hope that answers your question, and thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Shannon
Thank you so much, you have answered my questions :)
ReplyDeleteOh Shannon ~ Are you accepting followers to your Pinterest? I'm thinking of joining and would like to keep up with you if you're so inclined....
ReplyDeleteMrs. Brooks,
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's even possible to disable Pinterest followers, but either way I certainly don't mind your following my pinboards! :-)
Blessings,
Shannon
I wanted to join your blog after reading this! Great points were brought up. I too, am a blogger & seamstress & have had a rough time getting viewers & followers. I never had a facebook page regarding my site or shop, so I turned to Pinterest. You brought up such great points, & I was happy to hear I'm not alone in viewing things a certain way. I never mention my children's names in my blog, often refering them as "the girls". All 'Pinned' pictures are only of my girls wearing an item I've created & even then I felt a little uncomfortable. Thank you for making such a thought provoking post! I wish more people would get a chance to read it as most don't know what privacy is anymore:)
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Miki