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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not understand why people include so many randoms on profile pictures?

24 replies

PosyNarker · 12/12/2013 20:26

So this is a Facebook thing, I'll admit it.

My profile picture is of me. It's never not been of me, albeit I have a cartoon version and other such fluff.

DP's is of him + me. Not for me, but I do use a photo of both of us for my cover photo.

What I can't get my head around, is why people plonk up photos of their mates where they aren't in the foreground. Or plonk up photos of their kids where they aren't in it at all. (I get the latter a bit more than the former to be fair, but I think it's a bit sad to be posting it as your 'identity').

So AIBU? I suspect I am, because I view my photo as my online 'identity' so wouldn't want it usurped by DP / theoretical kids / random mates, but others may not think that way.

I do get the whole 'look I've had a baby' thing of changing it to the newborn, I really do (even if I think it's a bit naff) but not your 8 and 10 year olds - they are not you...

OP posts:

IslaValargeone · 12/12/2013 20:29

I think you are over thinking it?
Posting a photo of your kid doesn't necessarily make it your identity.
I don't think everybody who puts stuff on Facebook puts a great deal of thought into it.

PresidentServalan · 13/12/2013 07:55

My profile pic is one of my cats

To be fair, I have a lot of FB 'friends', 99% of whom are cat people, and I wouldn't have a clue what they looked like. I (and they) tend to add people if they have cat profile pics - it just means there is automatically a shared interest (and we can all share stories and pics - a bit like MN for mad cat ladies!)

BitOutOfPractice · 13/12/2013 07:58

Sorry but I can't bring myself to give a damn!

tracypenisbeaker · 13/12/2013 08:05

I think the photo of kids/ pets as someone's profile picture would irritate me if if I was looking for someone I hadn't seen in years, and their profile was private so the only thing I had to go by was their name and face. This has happened and made me bother not adding them.
I think if you've taken steps to ensure privacy why have your children as your profile pic? But then that's another fred

MammaTJ · 13/12/2013 08:08

Mine at the moment is of me and two uni mates. We have only known each other since September, but have become very close, very quickly, as is the way with student nurses.

I usually have me and someone else, or me alone for my profile pic and my three amazingly gorgeous DC as my cover pic.

Do I meet with your approval OP?

livinginawinterwonderland · 13/12/2013 08:17

Mine is me feeding a kangaroo. Until then, it was me and DP for months, but normally it's whatever photo I think looks the best.

DP's is of a halloween pumpkin. It's been like that since March!

everythinghippie29 · 13/12/2013 08:19

My profile pic is my cat too...

I really didn't think it through too much but I guess I just don't feel that much of an 'identity' connection to my FB. I just use it to be a bit nosy and to stay in touch with friends and family as I don't live near most of them anymore.

I figure if I have you as a friend on FB you know what I look like.

SatinSandals · 13/12/2013 08:26

I thought it was a privacy thing. Make it all private and if you don't have your own picture it is entirely private unless they are friends.

Stinkyminkymoo · 13/12/2013 08:33

You'll love mine then, it's of my horse. He's more photogenic than I am and waaaay better looking

What's the big deal? I'm not sure why it matters so much tbh.

DoctorTwoTurtleDoves · 13/12/2013 08:38

My FB profile pic is a cat. It's been described by some as 'unsettling', which makes me :o

MrsWolowitzYouAMerryChristmas · 13/12/2013 08:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DingDongUriGelleryOnHigh · 13/12/2013 08:41

My sisters profile picture is of a sunrise. They are avatars, aren't they? They represent an aspect of yourself you want to portray.

In the case of my sisters sunrise, everyone of her friends know it represents her dark days are over. She's found happiness and today is a new day.

Yes it's a bit flaky for my liking but yknow.

Binkyridesagain · 13/12/2013 08:45

Mines a Snowy Owl, those that know me will know its me and why I have a Snowy Owl. If anyone doesn't know why , they can ask.

TheMaw · 13/12/2013 08:48

I've got a pretty negative body image, so I'm always hidden behind something or someone. IMO it's more irritating to have a cartoon as your profile pic, unless you're a cartoon? But I'm struggling to see why you care at all.

TwoMinutesToMidnight · 13/12/2013 08:52

Yabu its a pictorial representation on a social networking site, not your passport. Fb is noty identity its a bit of fun and keeping in touch. I think you're placing too much importance on this.

mrsjay · 13/12/2013 08:55

My profile pic is of my dog cos i am fugly why are you bothered so much i know it is no big deal but it is a profile picture

mrsjay · 13/12/2013 08:57

I have pictures of my dds sometimes as my picture usually on their birthdays but they are not my identity.

wigglesrock · 13/12/2013 08:58

Anyone I'm friends with on FB knows what I look like. I change my picture every once in a while. Sometimes I'm in it, sometimes I'm not.

WestieMamma · 13/12/2013 08:59

YABU

My profile picture is my Dad who passed away recently. If people don't like it they can fuck off.

WestieMamma · 13/12/2013 09:01

Before my Dad passed away my picture was of a pukka pie. Steak and kidney I believe.

mrsjay · 13/12/2013 09:02

I had the I love you lamp cat picture for ages it amused me

Ghostsgowoooh · 13/12/2013 09:23

Ah poor little sad old me having pictures of my kids on my profile pic.

I only have people who know me well in rl as fb friends. They all know what I look like. I don't care if someone gets annoyed if they stumble across my profile and it's not me on the pic. Shame. If I barely know you you aint on there!

Rather see random pics than someone changing their fb profile photo a million times a week if them doing duck arse selfies.

MadeOfStarDust · 13/12/2013 09:33

mine is an artistic heap of pebbles - I don't put photos of people on there publicly ... just in private family groups - for sharing with family.

Original poster

PosyNarker · 13/12/2013 10:09

Ah, I know, I'm probably being a little bit unreasonable.

I do understand the anonymity thing (but wouldn't have thought your own kids necessarily the best choice in that case). And clearly if you don't like you own mug that's a different issue

To be fair, it's not something I spend every waking hour thinking about, but I was on Facebook more than usual yesterday. Maybe spending too long looking at Facebook is where IWB most U

OP posts:

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