This video post is about what not to share on your online profile.
We all have one somewhere. FetLife being all the rage right now, but also we have alt.com, collarme.com, bondage.com, and others where we place ads and identity profiles up to get people interested. This interest can be friends or relationship related; it doesn't matter. What does matter is what we broadcast to everyone that happens across our profiles? You need to keep some things secure and really consider what's necessary to put out into the World Wide Web.
What's Safe?
Nothing you place online is safe. Anyone can find you and use what you put online to harm you in some way. Take for instance a rather vanilla picture of yourself on an adult site. It could be used against you in your job or other social engagements. Just the knowledge alone that you are present on a site like FetLife or CollarMe could get you fired. Your ex could use it against you to gain custody of your children. Anything is possible.
The idea that because you have to log into the service means that every word you write or photo you share behind that security feature means you are safe. This is far from true. Too many people rely heavily on the false sense of security that a login screen provides. Think about it this way; how easy was it for you to create a profile? A predator or someone you don't want to find you will find it a breeze.
Photos
If you share photos of yourself, even if you head and identifying features are cut out; be prepared to find them elsewhere online. So many people online just don't care if they don't own the rights to the photo, others like to increase their personal stash of porn, and others still want to earn money on your shared 'free' content. It takes all kinds. So, before you share a photo, consider if you want it on the internet. Don't limit your mental scope to the site you are placing it, but all over the internet.
Personal Information
Other than the basic profile information, I'd keep your life pretty vague if you don't want to be found by others you may know in another sphere of your life. Leave relationship, family and work details out of profiles. Never share information about your children.
Think about it this way, put on your profile only what you wouldn't have a problem telling someone face to face that you don't know. Because you know, that's just it. Strangers are reading your profile and looking at those pictures before they know you... really know you.
Sure it sounds counter productive for a dating site, but protecting yourself should come first. Besides, emails and site mailing systems are slightly safer for sharing a bit more about yourself. Granted, these too can be abused, so be careful.
Some of you may be saying, "Well sure lunaKM, but I've seen your profile here or there and you share a lot about yourself including unaltered photos. Practice what you preach!
Let me tell you; I have no job outside the home, no friends or tech-saavy family that do not know and have nothing to lose if someone sees me or learns about me. I'm a unique case. I'm not saying that some of you aren't either. I've given all of my profiles a look over and am happy with what is shared. That's all that matters.
How Much Information Is Too Much?
I Challenge You
Today I challenge you to go through your profiles and reconsider some of the information you have shared. Rip out what could put you in some form of danger or get you recognized by someone you'd rather stay incognito with. If you aren't using a profile; delete it completely.
