Watch What You Say

[floridanative]

Many on this board, including me, have expressed that we would never want most of our freinds and family to come on this site and read our posts, as they may not be so nice at times and could hurt the feeling of those we care for. Well something interesting just happened when I was searching online for gluten-free places to eat for an upcoming trip. My own post from here appeared about that town/visit. Now I had not said anything that would offend anyone but that is not always the case of course.

For instance, if one of your family members decdided to locate a place for you to eat while visiting with them, they could end up reading a post about how worried you are or that you're dreading the trip. Just thought I'd share what happened to me because I really was taken aback when I got a match that was a post of mine from this site. It's like we think we're just sharing with each other but of course we are sharing with the world.

[oceangirl]

Many on this board, including me, have expressed that we would never want most of our freinds and family to come on this site and read our posts, as they may not be so nice at times and could hurt the feeling of those we care for. Well something interesting just happened when I was searching online for gluten-free places to eat for an upcoming trip. My own post from here appeared about that town/visit. Now I had not said anything that would offend anyone but that is not always the case of course.

For instance, if one of your family members decdided to locate a place for you to eat while visiting with them, they could end up reading a post about how worried you are or that you're dreading the trip. Just thought I'd share what happened to me because I really was taken aback when I got a match that was a post of mine from this site. It's like we think we're just sharing with each other but of course we are sharing with the world.

Excellent point. I've always thought of the Internet as a completely public space. My kids were annoyed for years because I would not get a computer, then would not get on the internet. (We don't have television either) It's good to be reminded.

lisa

[tarnalberry]

Yep. While some blogs have privacy filters, or at least filters that allow posts to not be indexed by search engines, this isn't a blog, and this doesn't have such a filter. It's always best to imagine that you're saying whatever you're saying to everyone you know now, and could meet in the future. It gives an interesting perspective on self-censorhip, I've learned the hard way.

[ehrin]

try googling your name, your friends names and your family members names

you'll be amazed at what you find!

[CarlaB]

Except that I have a very common name and there are thousands with it!!! Sometimes it's an advantage, usually it's a problem, like when trying to buy a house and suddenly my credit shows I owe thousands to someone ...

[Carriefaith]

That's a really good point. Anyone could read what we say here if they wanted and most of us have pictures so it's easy to tell who it is!

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

.

[schuyler]

I actually found this board by doing a search for gluten-free bread.

Thank goodness I did, because I don't know what I'd do without this board.

[Guest BERNESES]

I just googled my name and my hubby's and it turns out that he is deceased lead singer of Nirvana who just happens to have a cousin with my first name. Weird!!!!

[Guhlia]

Thanks for the reminder... Now if only I could get a member of my family to actually do some researching on the subject!

Errrr... Becky, if you read this, I didn't mean you.

[Idahogirl]

My mom has celiac and reads this site regularly, so that keeps me accountable. In fact, she is able to go to my user and read all of my posts! It makes me think about what I type a little more since I know I'm not totally anonymous!

Lisa

[jenvan]

Oh, that's very true Tiffany! I had someone from my local Celiac group e-mail me that she found a post I wrote on a doctor....she was researching him. Another woman I didn't know found something I had written about a specific medication and e-mailed me b/c she just moved to my town. We had lunch together The internet makes it a "small world." I try to be consistent in character here online as I am in person so that I don't have to be worried about anything I write.

[Rikki Tikki]

I googled my first name and it took me to the page that had all the information about me. Now I am thinking I should change my sign on name for here. The problem is my name is so unusual. Any ideas?