We all have one. FetLife is all the rage, but also we have alt.com, bondage.com, and others where we place ads and identity profiles to get people interested. This interest can be friends or relationship related; it doesn't matter. What matters is what we broadcast to everyone across our profiles. You need to keep things secure and consider what's necessary to put out into the World Wide Web.
What's Safe?
Nothing you place online is safe. Anyone can find you and use what you put online to harm you somehow. Take, for instance, a rather vanilla picture of yourself on an adult site. It could be used against you in your job or other social engagements. Just knowing that you are present on a site like FetLife or CollarMe could get you fired. Your ex could use it against you to gain custody of your children. Anything is possible.
The idea that because you have to log into the service means that every word you write, or photo you share behind that security feature means you are safe. This is far from true. Too many people rely heavily on a login screen's false sense of security. Think about it this way; how easy was it to create a profile? A predator or someone you don't want to find, you will find it a breeze.
Photos
If you share photos of yourself, even if your head and identifying features are cut out, be prepared to find them elsewhere online. So many people online just don't care if they don't own the rights to the photo, others like to increase their personal stash of porn, and others still want to earn money on your shared 'free' content. It takes all kinds. So, before you share a photo, consider if you want it on the internet. Don't limit your mental scope to the site you are placing it, but all over the internet.
Personal Information
Other than the basic profile information, I'd keep your life vague if you want to avoid being found by others you may know in another sphere of your life. Leave relationship, family, and work details out of profiles. Keep information about your children private.
Think about it this way, put on your profile only what you wouldn't have a problem telling someone face to face that you don't know. Strangers read your profile and look at those pictures before they know you.
It sounds counterproductive for a dating site, but protecting yourself should come first. Besides, emails and site mailing systems are safer for sharing more about yourself. Granted, these, too, can be abused, so be careful.
Some of you may be saying, "Well, sure, lunaKM, but I've seen your profile here or there, and you share a lot about yourself, including unaltered photos. Practice what you preach!
Let me tell you; I have no job outside the home, no friends or tech-savvy family that do not know, and I have nothing to lose if someone sees me or learns about me. I'm a unique case. I'm not saying that some of you aren't, either. I've reviewed all my profiles and am happy with what is shared. That's all that matters.
How Much Information Is Too Much?
I Challenge You
Today I challenge you to review your profiles and reconsider some of the information you shared. Rip out what could put you in danger or get you recognized by someone you'd rather stay incognito with. If you aren't using a profile, delete it completely.
