If you’re wondering why it’s been a bit silent around here, it’s because I’m in New York City for the annual blogging conference put on by the fabulous women of BlogHer. The conference hasn’t even started and I’m overwhelmed (in an exciting but exhausting way) with all-things New York, tech, and social media. There hasn’t been a lot of time to actually see the city, but once I get a moment, I plan to venture out on the town in complete tourist fashion.
When my husband and I backpacked Europe a few years back, we wrote a blog to keep our friends and family members up to date on our ventures. I remember the quest each night to find an internet cafe to post photos on that blog of the beautiful, interesting, and quirky moments from our travels. In retrospect, if we had been backpacking Europe today, in 2012, we’d be updating in real time via our smart phones.
These days, I don’t think much about the fact that I’m snapping photos on my iPhone in Times Square…or at the park with my kids. It’s become so convenient…so seamless. Unfortunately, there is this false sense of security that comes along with technology and social media. I choose who I do and don’t want to friend me on Facebook…and Twitter…and all of the other social media channels I’m connected to. But as careful as I am about who I’m sharing photos and other personal information with, privacy settings are not a safeguard against unauthorized use of things like photos of my kids.
Five years ago, when I started this site, I didn’t think much about posting photos of my kids. In fact, my reason for creating this blog was to share photos of my kids with distant friends and family members.
Last week, I shared a bit about my experience with outmywindowTM, a new website/mobile app that offers users a personal way to share photos with close friends and family members of their choosing. With complete control of who does (and doesn’t) see your photos, it’s a compelling service for people concerned about online privacy. Here is a bit more information about how it works:
If I did not have this website, I know that the most important reason for using the service would be to share photos of my kids with friends and family members. If you have read the site for any duration of time, then you know that I’m incredibly passionate about photography. I love taking photos of food and destinations, in particular so those are photos I would definitely want to share with the world. But my children? My family? Even my closest friends? Those are photos I’d like reserved for a smaller network.
Do you share photos online? Do you have concerns about privacy? I’d really love to hear your thoughts…
For more information about outmywindowTM, just visit the website. You can also download it on iTunes here.
I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for ‘outmywindow™.’
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
quite interesting. I hadn’t thought about it too much, as I am also pretty selective on who I let be my friend on facebook. And then I still keep my photo options as “friends only” . But I am sure some photos are still being shown more than just that and it irritates me. Yes I share photos of my family on my blog, but I’m really select with which photos. I’m more open on my personal facebook as it’s specifically for friends and family, but now thinking maybe i should be more selective there too.
Love this. I’ve read a lot about Out My Window. I really need to find some time to try it out.
What a great idea, I never knew anything like it existed!
Out my window seems like a great solution to picture sharing privacy issues! This is something I will definitely have to look into further and share with my family!