AIBU to ask how often you chase your username, and why?

[TartanLassie]

I'm just about to change my username AGAIN! And wondered how often everyone else does?

For the first 10/12 years when we were young and innocent, I had the same user name. Well except for when we did the Secret Santas.

However for the last 5 or so years, I tend to change it every month or so. The main reason is because of security, you don't realise how much personal stuff you give away, even by changing names and ages of kids etc.

So when was the last time you changed?

Hahah CHANGE ... not chase your username obviously.

I changed today!

But am revisiting after a very long hiatus so thought a change was due

Two or three times a year now. I dont want years of posts to my name if I get found IRL but also I have spoken to real people in the real world via MN with two user names so it seems like a good idea to not have 17 years of posting on one name.

Like you I change every couple months. Usually because I think I've given too much away 🤐🤣🤣

Very often as I'd be worried about giving away my identity to 'friends' who would trawl this site looking for gossip!

I've often wondered if I've debated, argued with or advised anyone on here I know IRL.

I've had the same user name, bar a couple of Xmas nicknames, for the whole 17+ years I've been on MN. Nothing terrible has happened

Every time I think my teen is suspicious about who I am I change my name

I miss the days where no one really changed names and you built up relationships with others on the board and you didn't have to signal threads as being lighthearted because people knew your posting style well enough to recognise if you were joking or not

Every couple of months. Mainly because I give to much away and anyone who knows me in RL would easily know who I am!

Nothing terrible has happened that's because you've got a whole bloody dalek army behind you!!

I over share real life stories far to much so have to change often.

I’d like to change my name more but everything is always taken!

A few weeks ago I changed to this one. I change it every couple of years.

I have several I alternate between depending on the subject I’m posting about. One is very obviously me (posted a photo of my dog on the doghouse).

Yes.

I have about 5 usernames I use regularly to compartmentalise my posts. Another 30+ that have been throwaway or theme usernames.

Very very rarely I do post under two names on the same thread, e.g. to offer a personal perspective and a professional perspective (they aren't always the same). I never respond to or back up my own posts under a different name.

At least one of my user names is 'well known'.

Tonight I have posted on 5+ threads with 5+ different names, including this one.

I like to keep the personal, the parenting and the professional all completely separate.

I do it to protect myself rather than to trick anyone else.

I did it once for a very personal thread I started in bereavement, I changed it back once that thread had worked through for me.

I do worry I could be identified if someone searched all my posts but I rarely start threads, and almost never successfully, so I don’t flatter myself that anybody would be interested enough to bother.

Ooh! After reading the other responses I’m thinking I should change.
I like my name though, as a grim northerner.

Great un @lightdrizzle

I nc regularly cos I overshare and fear outage

I've had the same name for years and change it if I touch on information that could identify my DC or employer.

I've never changed it. I don't feel I need to.

My name has stayed since I chose it during the Credit Crunch of 2007.

I have an alternative account name, and when I use that I am a far more critical person. I change that one frequently.

I haven't. I like this one.

I post occasionally for some advice and it's deeply personal and I'm desperate not gonna outed in real life so that's my reason.

I’ve had the same username for 2 years now.

I’ve been on here for almost 10 years now, and been through quite a few usernames in that time. This one I have now has just kind of stuck I think.

I post a lot of identifying information and I have never changed it. My life story is known by most people around me and so I don't post anything on Mumsnet I would be scared people might find out, but again I give very little importance to others' opinions anyway.