sharing personal information on MN

[StealthPolarBear]

Brought up by another thread but this isn't a thread about a thread.

How much is it up to us to share (or not) our personal info on MN? Should MN be protecting us from ourselves?

How could they (genuine question?)

I have reported a post because it had a mobile number in it in the past

I've learnt my lesson from another forum I used where what I said in anger and frustration was later used against me in RL. I try not to share too much personal info on here as a result and will not be putting pictures up of DC this time or telling our names. Infact might be time for a name change....

I suppose we are all grown ups and need to use a bit of common sense. Recent events on here have shown that things are not always as they seem. Not sure exactly what MNHQ could do to protect us?

I think it is entirely up to us, in theory.

But some people are a bit dim and don't realise that by making it too obvious who they are in RL, they could affect the lives of their children, wider families, etc.

Sadly, stupid people sort of do need to be protected from themselves but I don't think MN should be in loco parentis.

NSF i assume other posters reported it...but it was that poster's info to share

Well I think we know my thoughts , at the end of the day they are responisble for whatever is on their site so yes. If someone has made an error of judgement they should delete it.

ah but she came back & said, that's fine
plus i think on lots of other forums people use their names as their postingnames

Actually, I say that, but it probably only matters if you post about deeply personal stuff. THEN it is stupid to reveal your RL identity.

If you keep it light and always bear in mind that you could in theory be outed, then fair enough, it's not stupid, it's a choice you're making.

I do despair though of people who post links to their personal websites, give kids' names etc, whilst also busily posting away about how someone in their family is an abuse risk -- and I have seen this. I guess they don't care that somewhere down the line this could theoretically be linked to their kids and make life in the playground very hard.

I think you have to remember that they know more about how this sort of info has been abused than lots of posters here.

you know my thouts too if oy've been reading the other thread

i think it's TOTALLY up to the OP how much information they wish to share.

I'd like to know exactly what you feel the risks of sharing info to be actually? aside from saying stuff and it being used against you?

I agree that some people may just be being naive, and i have no problem with people posting and saying "hey, you realise you have your contact details there, did yo mean to?" or for MN to message them and point out any perceived risks

I don't agree with links being removed and posts being censored just because MN feel that the op has shared too much

suppose you're right. I just thinnk its individual choice. In the past when people have been outed from details on here there hasn't been anyone blaming MNHQ (quite rightly) afaik

AND, if they ARE going to remove posts then it ought to be in the guidelines somewhere.

and ALL olinks to FB need to be removed, not just the ones that are reported by nosy parkers

I take the view that I wouldn't say on here anything I wouldn't want people who know me in RL to know.

Luckily though I am a very indiscreet open person in RL and so wouldn't mind people knowing pretty much anything about me...

I wouldn't post anything that was a security risk eg where exactly I live, phone number, etc.

yes, I do feel that I agree with you tiy

genuinely interested in why people knowing your name and address is a risk?

tons of people in real life know it, mail-order people know it, internet sites you have ordered thijngs from know it.
if you're on the electoral roll anyone can find it out....

what is the risk of having it on here?

We're all intelligent (well, ok most of us are) women and capable of judging for ourselves how much information is appropriate to share-it should be entirely our responsibilty.
MNHQ seem very respectful if somebody wants a thread/message deleting its done. Its nice that people look out for each other as well.

yes indeed LoveBeing

I think you should each take very great care

Don't post any identifying info - over time I'll bet loads of posters have put DCs forenames, dates of birth, your own date of birth, email addy, hometown, first name, DHs name, or occupation, or DCs school

It wouldn't take much for someone with malign intent to gather such info

and it has happened in case you were thinking I'm doom-mongering - look at poor ole coddie gawd love her fishy scales

Do a search under your own posting names, and see what you have revealed

sorry for the gloomyness [eyore]

Well I post about where I live and the area of work that I do - because it's useful to people sometimes. I have also posted my children's first names on here - because they are deeply wonderful In terms of opinions I say nothing here that I wouldn't/don't say in real life and I have no plans to meet anyone (other than those I know already).

It is in the guidelines somewhere i'm sure that they can removed anything.

TIY - most of the thread/post removed are due to 'nosy parkers', its a self mod forum, so feel free to report any you see

oh yes, i know it's self moderated. what i was saying was that if it is their policy to remove things like links to facebook then ALL links to facebook shoiuld be removed. not only ones that have been reported. in fact, they should just ban linking to it!

yes, it says they can remove stuff if they choose to... but it doesn't say they'll remove it just because someone else has a problem wiyth you sharing too much!

i want it to be more specific

Oh yes I'm sure they are at liberty to remove whatever they want. But is the personal info of someone who is happy for that to be shared with all and sundry valid for removal.

For example, if smoeone posts "It's my 30th birtday TODAY!!!" that should probably be removed

Its not about someone else hvaing a problem, the wont delete just cause someone else doesn't like something you've posted/think you should post it, AIBU would disappear . Although I do agree all the fb stuff should go!

i know i am what people would regard as fairly lax in this regard.
my children all have their own websites, with their full names on.
they link back to dp's site, which has his name, place of work and address on

we don't have a problem with this.

anyone with malicious intent could find this info out if they really wanted to.
it's unlikely that someone reading mumsnet would suddenly choose one of us and stalk us and then come and kill us!

thisisyesterday

I think the main risk is that if you then mention on MN you are going away, someone coudl put two and two together and burgle you. Also if someone nicks your credit card it's that much easier for them to use it (for internet purchases etc) if they have your billing address.