I’m sure many of you can relate to the urge to share every moment of our children’s lives online. It’s become a natural part of how we connect with friends and family, not to mention the wider digital community. Historically I have put photos of my children on social media and been okay with them appearing in the press, but recently I made a decision that may raise a few (over-plucked) eyebrows: I’ve chosen to keep my children’s faces offline. In this blog post, I want to share with you the reasons behind my choice and why I believe it’s the best decision for my family, in the hope that it may resonate with some of you as well.
First and foremost, I want to stress that my decision is driven by a desire to protect my children and ensure their safety in an increasingly digital world. We all love capturing moments, documenting every milestone, and sharing family adventures. I have allowed photos of my children to be published and you only have to search online for ‘geriatric mum lucy baker’ and you will see them on numerous media sites. However, as my children grow older (now 13, 10 and four) and technology advances, I’ve come to realise that I am no longer comfortable with them being published and that there are some significant drawbacks to constantly putting their faces on display.
No More Faces!
Privacy and safety are paramount when it comes to our little ones. The internet can be a vast and unpredictable place, and once a photo is posted, it’s pretty much impossible to control where it goes or who sees it. We’ve all heard the stories of photos of children being misused or exploited online. As parents, our top priority is to protect our children from potential harm, and respecting their privacy is a crucial part of that.
The risk of identity theft and fraud is a concern we can’t afford to ignore. Sharing pictures of our children, while well-meaning, can expose them to identity theft in the future. Just imagine someone using your child’s photo for malicious purposes or falsely claiming to be them online. By keeping our children’s faces offline, we can reduce the chances of their images being used inappropriately.
As my children grow, they are starting to developing their own identities, interests, and personalities – which is definitely happening in my house now that I have a teen. We want to give them the freedom to choose what they want to share with the world when they are old enough to understand the implications of posting online. By keeping their faces offline, I am hoping to give them the autonomy to decide what they want to reveal about themselves on their terms when the time comes.
I understand that sharing our children’s lives is a way to connect with our loved ones and fellow mums. So, instead of sharing their faces, I’ve chosen to connect through other means. I will still share stories, anecdotes, and our family adventures in a way that respects my children’s privacy and safety. There are many creative ways to document our children’s journey without compromising their well-being.
Still No Faces!
I hope this post sheds light on my decision to keep my children’s faces offline. Nothing bad has happened, it’s just a choice driven by love, protection, and respect for my three kiddiewinks. As parents, we try to navigate the challenges of the digital age with the best interests of our children at heart and at some point we need to decide what is right for our family – and I have chosen to stop showing photos of my children’s faces online. Let’s continue to share our motherhood experiences and support each other, all while keeping our children safe and secure.
What are you thoughts on keeping your children’s faces offline?
Lucy aka Geriatric Mum
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