bonita answers

I was thinking about boundaries on the internet.  We all know the “stranger danger” stuff ~ don’t chat to randoms on IM, avoid giving out personal information, keep you FB page locked to friends only, etc…  But what about blogging?  Where are the boundaries and when is it acceptable to cross them ~ if ever?

So this is the next topic for bonita answers.

♥ ~ Topic:  Boundaries in Blogging  ~ ♥

1.  ~   What are your blogging boundaries?


I must admit I have not thought that hard about what sort of blogging boundaries I might have, but I do know I have them.   For starters, I go by my real name, but I do not name anyone else in my life on this blog.  Even my husband, who is probably the most mentioned person just goes by DH {for Darling Husband}.   I know there are people I know IRL who read this blog, and I don’t mind if they know who I am talking about.  The thing is, I guess I do not want to cause any potential problems for the people I mention, so they do not go by name.

I also take care not give away any specific information.   If you looked around, you could quite easily discover that I live in Canberra, Australia.  But I will not let on where exactly, or what places I hang out, and that sort of thing.  I figure if people want to contact me they can do it by email, they do not need any other details unless I choose to give it.

2.  ~   Do you think that there should be boundaries, or should bloggers just be totally open and honest?


I do think that it is a good a idea to set boundaries, and not just ones that protect your identity.  I guess there are also boundaries that are personal.  I have read some wonderful blogs that are very open and honest, but sometimes I feel like I might be reading their journals or diaries or something!  It’s great that they can share that stuff, but I do not think that I can or will.

I can also see the downsides to getting that personal on the internet.  I mean you can always delete the posts/site, but usually you do not want to after putting in so much work.  And there maybe people who tear you apart using the stuff you have shared with them.   Ouch!!  So do you let it all hang out, or do you hold some stuff back to deal with IRL?   As I am quite a private person IRL anyway, I tend to just keep things close and share the stuff that’s really bothering me with my DH and my LLBFF {life-long-best-friends-forever}.  Oh, and my Mom.  Yay for Moms!!

3.  ~  Why are blogging boundaries important?


I think that they are important for protecting your identity and also your relationships.  I would hate to see the fallout of sharing too much and that ruining a friendship.

4.  ~  What boundary would you never cross?


I do not think that I would ever share identity information.   I know that it sounds impossible, but there are really crazy people out there that would not hesitate to mess up your life if they could….  Not that I think any of you guys are like that, but I guess you have just got to be careful.  It’s not worth the risk.

5.  ~  What is your advice for internet safety?


Keep your details ~ land line numbers, addresses, birthdates off the web!   I have my mobile available on FB, but that’s easy enough to change if I must.  Stuff that is not easy to change, just don’t put it out there. 
*whew*  Well, that has been rather heavy going.  I hope everyone doesn’t mind the serious stuff once in a while.  Anyway, now onto the fun question.  ^__^


6.  ~  Beach or snow and why?


Okay, I wrote this question knowing that the answer would be super hard, and it is….   but after eons proclaiming that the beach is best, I think I might have to say for this year at least, the snow have edged into the top spot.   This is because although I love the beach {hey, we got married on the beach ~ it is pretty central to my life} this year has been better for the snow.  Gorgeous scenery, AWESOME SNOWBOARDING, fantastic mini-vacations and a full one too….   Of course, summer has not come really for this year, so may be there fantastic beach times in store. 
Hey, my family and I are all going to the beach this very weekend, so who knows.   Yay jetskis!!!
So I guess in the end, they both win.   Yay for snowbeach!  \ ^__^ /


That’s all from me today.  I have a lot of cleaning and packing to do, so I must get on.   Byes.

xox,
bonita