PRIVACY ISSUES HERE AND IN FACEBOOK

As bloggers we put a whole lot of information about ourselves on our blogs. We talk about where we are going, where we have been, who still lives at home and all about our kids. (well not my kids as that is forbidden but in general).
We have become so comfortable with our readers that we open up our lives and share things that we normally wouldn't. Sometimes we don't even get that specific but the information is there anyways. 
For example there is  a local blog that is just fabulous. She mentioned on her blog she was in a really small town. I took one look at the photos taken in her back yard and I knew what town she lived in because I recognized the mountains in the background. She was a little surprised. 

 I have seen blog posts where the person has put a photograph of their magazines in the blog and you can read the address label on the magazine. 
I see posts talking about leaving on holidays. Shhhhh. Tell us when you get back. Not before your leave. 
Then there is Facebook. I use it all the time. I like it. I keep my privacy settings at the highest level and unless you are one of my friends on FB you can not access my photos, my friends or any other info. 
Is this good enough? Apparently not. There are many apps out there that FB users are using. They play Farmville and other things. They click on phony posts and then accept the terms to view a video clip.
These and many other apps that you may use open up your information and that of your friends to the companies. 
Last spring there was a campaign from Pringles that had an "Overshare" button to give to your online friends to tell them they were sharing a little too much on the social media sites. Clever marketing. 

Will I stop using FB or posting all about my life on here? Nope. But I will be careful. You can be sure that I never will put anything on my Facebook page that you will need to give authorization to the thing to read it. It will only be a direct link or photo.
My advice is to never put anything on FB or on your blog that you would be concerned about someone overhearing in the grocery store lineup while talking to a friend. 

Do you care if someone hears you have been ill? No. Fine. 

Do you care if they hear you are on antidepressants because your husband is a cheating scumbag? Well maybe so. 

Do you care that they know your child is a great ball player. No. 

Do you care that they know you can't pick him up that day from the ball park and he will have to walk home by himself? Probably. 

All I am saying is we need to filter some of what we put out there sometimes. Share your holiday plans after you get home. Will be away from blogging for that time? Just say you have some a busy week coming up and will miss us. 
Don't even get me started on Craig's list.

Now you have been warned. The next time I see some fabulous tablescape or great antique you got on Craigslist I may just come right over and steal it from you.You're not going to be home are you?