First off, let me start by saying that I think Internet safety is EXTREMELY important. I have a young child and their safety is absolutely paramount to me, even more important to me than my own. I would never consciously do anything to compromise that safety, yet I know that even as careful as I try to be, I probably give out too much information about myself in some of my online activities, whether it be registering with a website, ordering things that I like (which I admit is a little more fun for me than I would usually care to admit), or simply using email or social media. Make no mistake, I am not the type to post 600 pictures of myself on a social media site and then make my profile public for anyone to see me and possibly begin cyber-stalking me or steal my identity, but I probably give out a little too much info unthinkingly. So, from now on, anything commercial will be linked to an email address that does not have my real name (or any name at all) connected to it. There is simply too much to lose and too much safety of my child to compromise.
Because of this renewal of interest in practicing Internet safety, I sat down and had a little discussion, or what I call “a lesson,” with my wife. We discussed making access to pictures, accounts, and blogs private so that only the people that we want to see them can see them. She even blocked someone from viewing her blog posts that she didn’t recognize the name. Turns out, it was one of her best friends using the ward blog (which she was responsible for, but the ward’s name is a man’s name). We also discussed making a more concerted effort to keep an eye on the online accounts we have.
That being said, I also signed up to use iSafe, and let me tell you, it was incredibly disconcerting to find iSafe MAKING you fill out way more personal information than they need to know. From watching the videos, their stated intentions are good, but the actual execution of those intentions is a little off. Guess what, iSafe? You don’t need to know my name, address, phone number, or anything else other than an email address so that you can send me info if I forget my password. So guess who will be getting more spam. ME! Thanks, iSafe!
I also thought iSafe's website was a bit hypocritical lol Something you might think about is having a "professional face" online and then a "personal face." That is, as a professional you allow a certain amount of info out there about you along with an email address and then have a separate account for personal things that you keep locked down. That's what I've had to do in my own career (no one in class has my personal email address :)
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