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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To post on social media when on holiday?

15 replies

Scaremonster · 30/03/2018 22:59

I’ve read lots online about the dangers of posting on social media when you’re not at home as potential burglars know that your house is empty. Makes perfect sense to me. Yet I see a lot of friends posting countdowns to trips abroad, tagging themselves in locations on the other side of the world, etc. and it made me wonder whether it’s really as risky as we’re led to believe? I don’t agree with the constant barrage of photos from beach/bar/mountain locations (get the F off your phone and enjoy your holiday ffs) but would like to keep my large family updated every few days on our travels while we’re away and social media (specifically Facebook) is the best way for me to do that. WIBU to do this and potentially risk criminals targeting our empty home? (Not that I know any criminals, but I can’t 100% vouch for every person on my friends list being a law-abiding citizen). Is this really a concern that anyone else has or am I just being overly cautious?

I’ve also read vague stories of contents insurance being invalid if you’re burgled and the insurers see you’ve posted holiday photos on social media - surely this isn’t true? (Can see nothing relating to this in my policy details).

OP posts:
LockedOutOfMN · 30/03/2018 23:01

I post any photos/observations when I get home. Anyone who knows me will know I'm away so when I reply to any WhatsApps I won't make reference to being away from home. Any non urgent messages aren't replied to until we return and then if it's relevant I'll say to the person sorry we've been away. It's not foolproof but I certainly wouldn't post a photo of myself in, say, New York, with a tagline saying something like "great weather in Times Square today!" I just think it's too risky.

notacooldad · 30/03/2018 23:05

There are people at home when I go away so it's not a big deal

DrMadelineMaxwell · 30/03/2018 23:24

I think there's stuff in your home insurance nowadays that if you post on social media and broadcast that you are on holiday, you aren't covered by your insurance.

SoozC · 30/03/2018 23:36

Surely a FB messenger group message or WhatsApp group would do the same job but not be out in public? There's no reason to put a public post on a FB wall if you're just letting family know.

Doobigetta · 30/03/2018 23:40

I'm pretty sure WhatsApp groups are safe. A burglar who can hack into them probably doesn't need to wait for you to go on holiday to steal everything you've got.

Lalliella · 30/03/2018 23:40
  1. Make all your Facebook posts to friends only not public.
  2. Don’t be friends with any potential burglars.

It really isn’t rocket science!

Bojangles33 · 30/03/2018 23:42

You can limit privacy on posts to specific groups of people, so could just share with close friends and family

ivykaty44 · 30/03/2018 23:44

Facebook knows when you’re on holiday as you will have probably booked something to do with the holiday online. Or if you have the app, taken you’re phone away with you...

blaaake · 31/03/2018 00:01

It's just scaremongering. I post on my Facebook and Instagram etc when I'm away, and I'm away quite a few times a year, and nobody's ever burgled me. I tend not to be friends with people who could potentially rob me Confused

CadyHeron · 31/03/2018 02:05

I put my life out there,on social media.
You need to be sensible about it though. No posting in real time that you're all away.

I tend not to be friends with people who could potentially rob me

Me either. Who would?Although there are some out there who befriend anyone. I've seen them. Or are set to friends of friends. Ie, people you don't know. Might as well be blatantly public.

LagunaBubbles · 31/03/2018 02:08

It's complete rubbish. Have you ever posted a check in? Anywhere? That's showing youre not in the house to!

WhatShallIDoWithMyself · 31/03/2018 02:12

I don't post on Social Media when I am away, not because I think anyone following who knows my address would burgle me, but because I know insurers do use this against people to deny claims. They don't need to add anything to your policy to do so if it's publicly available.

LagunaBubbles · 31/03/2018 02:20

So say I'm at the cinema and "check in" - no different as far as FB is concerned as Im not in my house, and I get burgled - I really doubt that would invalidate my home insurance.

Chickenagain · 31/03/2018 08:37

Am I naive, but surely your security settings allow you to post to close friends only on your time line so randoms don't get to see your posts? Have a Google & work out how to do it. Having said that, are you certain you don't want Cambridge Analyticals working out how to target you based on your choice of restaurant or cocktail 😂

JacquesHammer · 31/03/2018 08:40

Keep your privacy settings watertight
Post to friends only (ensure photos aren’t public)
Don’t broadcast your address on FB

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