My wife and I were discussing last night how much of our lives we should be sharing online. Between various social networks, photo sites, and blogs in particular, a lot of our personal identity is accessible to the world.
What are you comfortable with?
In particular I’d love to hear from those of you in the public eye; those who are leaders, managing organizations, in ministry, and other public service roles.
I’ve seen some of you folks with an online presence share birthdays, phone numbers, when and where you’re doing something. Some of you have a site that goes by your full name; some of you share the names of your family members; some of you simply use initials. Then there’s photos, videos, and opinions. I’ve even seen some of you share very private confessions online.
I ask as someone who will likely be entering into a more public role. As I serve people in different capacities and speak in various places we’ve been wondering if we might be putting our family at risk in any ways by having the level information we have accessible online currently.
Are we being too paranoid? Can we ever be too safe? I love sharing about my family and our lives because it presents a more human side of all the convictions that we have and the things that we do.
I typically naively trust just about anybody, but I also know that people can often find ways to attack the ones you love the most. Are we simply increasing our chances for random crime? Can any of this be used to harm us in the future? Are there other things we should be concerned about?
Any thoughts you might want to contribute would very much appreciated…
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August 21, 2007 at 11:20 am
Trackback from djchuang.com - how much not to disclose about yourself...
July 14, 2007 at 4:34 pm
tony sheng
i think its definitely worth thinking about. i for one never use real names unless people already have a big online presence. for instance, my kids names or anyone in our ministry - leaders or students. instead i make up names - which i at least think is kinda funny….
i also don’t post any personal info - phone numbers, address, etc. never go online. i think most people these days don’t do that either.
July 14, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Mad Max
This is a good conversation. I’m pretty comfortable with having a very public life…but, like Tony, wouldn’t put any direction personal details like phone numbers or addresses online.
(I may come back with a few more thought once I’ve had a chance to think a little more)
July 16, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Lon
Hey Tony… funny names sounds like an interesting way to go about it.
and I’m with you Sam, i’m very comfortable with my life as an open book, but course nothing bad’s ever happened to me due to it.
What about photos of people you love? or just people being aware that you have a family? what about when people know you’re out of town on a trip?
I’m glad we didn’t have digital cameras when I was a teen… some of these photos I see kids put up these days… I sure wouldn’t want permanently archived on the web…
I hate thinking the worst of people, but if we’re in the public light, we’re bound to tick someone off along the way, no matter how tactful we are. Do you think we’re putting ourselves at risk in anyway by simply being so accessible online?
I would like to think that despite whatever mistakes or offences I make, if people saw that I was a real human online, with a family I care for, it would put be at even less risk…?
I’d love to hear more thoughts on the matter
July 20, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Lon
testing comments…
July 21, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Lon
I’m posting this comment for V, due to commenting issues with IE.
trying to comment on your online security post, but the Submit button is greyed out…
“It has long bothered me to see people I know with a ‘filtered’ on-line presence.
Be cautious yes, but if being ‘real’ is part of who you are, then to not talk about reality is certainly not being authentic. When people do that they start living behind masks and worse yet, exclude others from coming into their lives.
Leadership is not meant to be lonely. Leadership - true God-centered leadership is when we begin to realize that the ground is level at the foot of the cross and learn to walk in such a way with others that lives that out.
I could understand a concern if you feel a certain need to present yourself as more knowledgable, or more trained, or more anything…but…during the time that I have followed your blog, I keep coming back because I can tell you are real. I don’t think you have a deep-seated need to see yourself put on a pedestal.
Live authentically.
Live freely in the life that God created you for.
Might there be some junk? yup.. probably. But I bet it won’t be as bad as having nails driven through your hands. Capiche?”
V.
August 19, 2007 at 3:26 pm
djchuang
Great questions you’re asking, and there’s much to consider here, not just about how much to divulge online, but also in light of identity theft.
I have 2 main items that I advice not disclosing in publicly published media like blogs, websites, podcasts, vodcasts, social networks: your social security number (SSN) and your date of birth. I don’t know what kind of ID numbers they use in Canada, but in the United States, SSN is often used for authentication of one’s personal identity. Along these lines, don’t publish your mother’s maiden name, your birthplace, driver’s license number, bank account number, or credit card number.
How much of the rest of your personal life is up to your discernment and comfort zone on what to disclose or not.