I have been blogging for as long as I can remember.
Honestly, I don't remember what I did on the computer before there was blogs. Okay, yes I do. I would play on Barbie.Com and fill up my basket on American Girl in hopes that the items would really end up on my doorstep and not just a wish list.
I have been blogging since six or seventh grade. Xanga became my first social outlet, and many of my peers caught on. Of course, by eighth or ninth grade it was out and myspace was in...and even still I returned to my Xanga page to update. I have a love for words, one that goes back many many years and it's hard to stay away from sharing my life. I used the myspace blog entry to do the same and still take the time to update my Xanga. Now there is blogger and blogspot and tumblr and all these websites to share your soul with millions (world wide web, people) of people.
Like most people my age, I have a facebook, and a twitter. I have my blog, which I wanted to invite you in yet not share every detail of my life. It has been a challenge. These days, you post a status to share with 300 + people. Sometimes you forget that behind the other computer screen reading your words are pastors. Younger audiences. Acquaintances. Depending on your privacy settings, strangers.
Lately, I have become frustrated with the things I see on facebook. People share details I don't want to know. People share details that other people shouldn't know. People complain and bitch and single people out passive aggressively. People update their friends on every.single.thing. Things no one cares about.
Twitter is worse. People call out the people on facebook they don't like. They talk about people. There are updates every 1second.
"There is no privacy that cannot be penetrated" is a quote that is coming to mind right now. Private conversations you have will end up on facebook. (Especially texts). Things you do with your friends will end up on facebook. Intimate moments with little ones are blasted for everyone to see. Sometimes I worry about those people the most, the kids.
They have no voice in the pictures that are taken of them and shared. Anyone can access pictures to one's children now that they're on the internet. Anyone can easily follow their lives through updates and pictures and videos. Parents have a duty to protect and there is no way to do that when you're putting your kid out there for everyone to see and mock and judge. I can't say that someday I won't do it, because I'm sure I will have proud parenting moments but at some point you are violating your child. Protect their innocence and their anonymity. Keep those sweet moments to yourself, treasure them.
A few months ago, one of my facebook friends had pictures of her daughter stolen off of her page and someone used them to claim as her own kid. It was sickening. Authorities were involved, the page was reported. These things happen and we
allow them to.
We allow social media sites to take control of our lives. Some months ago I realized the only reason I take pictures was to put them on facebook. In the past after someone says something funny I would think "That is SO going on facebook/twitter."
It is great for "keeping in touch."
"Oh cool my friend from high school that I haven't spoken to in years friend requested me!"
Are these the kind of relationships we want in our lives? (Depending on the person) knowing the details? I have a personal rule, where if we didn't talk in high school I am not going to add you. You weren't a friend then, chances are you aren't now, you're just wanting to 'creep.'
This is never going to change. Give most people an inch, and they will take a mile. They will tell you every little thing you never wanted to know. Social networking is a blessing, in some ways. But for me, the cons now outweigh the pros.
I will be removing myself from them. No facebook, no twitter. I will still keep this blog, though. I have done a fair job of not overloading you with personal details and I intend to keep it that way. I never wanted this to be a "fashion" blog, just a place where friends can come to chat and exchange recipes, find words of wisdom, learn from my mistakes. It is my "loud corner" of the world and I hope you've come to enjoy it.
Please keep in mind that I am not calling out anyone in particular, I am just noting what I see. I am trying to make sense of what compels people to share such things and what drives people to want to know so much that they are connected to their phones and computers when there is a whole world outside waiting to be mapped and discovered. This update isn't meant to offend or upset. It is what it is. It is what you let it be.
I am not going to challenge you to do anything. This is a personal decision that I have arrived to after much consideration.
So, until next time, stay safe, stay positive and Blog on.
xxoo,
V