Are You Careful About What You Put in Writing?
@DeborahDiane (40326)
Laguna Woods, California
July 24, 2016 8:25pm CST
When our daughters were growing up in a tiny suburb of Dallas, TX, I had one simple rule for them:
"Don't do anything you would not want to see on the front page of the local newspaper ... because sooner or later you will."
That is because I had know a number of wealthy, successful local people who were deeply embarrassed when they were written up in the local newspaper for shoplifting, stealing the silver at parties, embezzling from their employer, driving while intoxicated, getting in fights with neighbors or ex-spouses, and a number of similar infractions.
Our newspaper wrote up ALL the juicy gossip!
Today, I constantly hear about people (like the head of the DNC) who have gotten in trouble for what they wrote in an email or text message, as well as for things they posted on Facebook or Instagram. Even home burglars have posted their escapades online!
It seems to me that everyone needs to live by that same rule I had for my children ... with a little modification:
"Don't do, write or post anything online that you would not want to see on the front page of the local newspaper ... because sooner or later you will."
What do you think? Do you live by that rule? 
41 people like this
45 responses
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@jstory07 - I agree. I never share pictures or the names of my children and grandchildren online ... except with my very small number of Facebook friends on my private page.
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@Genipher - I'm glad to hear there are other people who are cautious about sharing too much online!
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
I agree! I think it is ridiculous what people share. I'm sure that in 20 years there will be a lot of people who are totally embarrassed by what their children will be able to find online about them!
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
25 Jul 16
I would say I live like that way.I think you have posted here about something we all should be careful.
4 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
26 Jul 16
@DeborahDiane I do come across people who do share many personal matters online without a thought about who all may see it.It is a very useful post.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jul 16
@silvermist - I'm glad you thought this was a useful post. I think writing online can be a good place to share our thoughts and problems. However, we have to be careful!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@silvermist - I wrote this because sometimes I think people may share a bit too much with strangers.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@just4him - That is wonderful that you have not captured the front page for any reason. Me, neither! LOL
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@Genipher - Aww! If you are going to be in the newspaper, selling Girl Scout cookies is a good reason!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jul 16
That is a very sensible rule and more people need to take notice of it. The things some people post make it seem like they have no commonsense at all. Why put yourself at such risk by posting stuff you wouldn't want the world to see.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@JudyEv - I agree completely! Sometimes I think people reveal so much about themselves that a stranger could actually show up at their door. It's OK if they plan to meet ... but I do think we all need to be cautious and protect ourselves and our families!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jul 16
@JudyEv - Sometimes I think it is scary how much the whole world already knows about us. I think anyone could find out almost anything about anyone ... and some people make that way too easy.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jul 16
@DeborahDiane Sometimes Vin rings up, for instance, our health fund, says hello then 'have you got our account details in front of you' and half the time they have. It must tie in with the incoming call or something. It is virtually instantaneous. Scary really.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@norcal - It is OK to share something embarrassing, as long as we don't mind if everyone knows. I am amazed by the number of people who share things that were illegal.
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@skysnap - Yes, we have to write carefully and think about the fact that total strangers may see what we write ... and act on it!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@Juliaacv - That is another good rule ... not to have words with anyone in public. I think that would be a great idea for us to all practice that one more often!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
25 Jul 16
'tis shockin' what folks put 'out there' - livin' 'n denial that anybody'd e'er use such 'gainst 'em. i used to live by that rule. think i've failed't such o'er the past 5 years'r so....
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
26 Jul 16
@DeborahDiane indeed. i don't share schtuff 'bout my young'uns/grands'n the like - no family photos, etc. but, i've crossed 'that line' with the hubs 'n his antics...
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jul 16
@crazyhorseladycx - I understand the temptation to share about our husbands (or wives)! LOL 
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@crazyhorseladycx - We all have to be careful ... for ourselves and for the sake of our families.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23412)
• United Kingdom
25 Jul 16
That is a good rule to live by. It is always quite shocking when you do read certain things in the press. Karma !
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 - Yes, I have often been shocked by some of the stories people tell on themselves online! I think more people need to be taught to be cautious!
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
25 Jul 16
I probably don't follow that rule enough, but I do try not to rant about people I live with too much or not in a way that it's obvious to everyone else who I'm ranting about.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@MarshaMusselman - That is a good rule, too ... not to rant too much about people we live with. A lot of people should practice that rule!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Jul 16
I usually do, but can get a bit extreme when responding to certain political subjects.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@JamesHxstatic - I think a lot of us can go to the extreme with our political posts. I try to come across as even-handed although, of course, I have definite opinions and I can't help but occasionally express them!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Jul 16
@DeborahDiane Even handed is seldom my choice, unfortunately.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jul 16
@JamesHxstatic - Ha Ha! I know it can be hard to be even-handed, sometimes ... especially when it comes to politics!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@DianneN - Ha Ha! I think we have all known at least a few successful people who have totally embarrassed themselves! Fortunately, it was never anyone in our family!
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
25 Jul 16
Mostly, I do. But I think we could all be better at this.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@ElizabethWallace - I think we all get careless about what we share, once in a while. However, it is always good to remind ourselves of why we should be careful.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Jul 16
@DeborahDiane You are right about this!!!
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
25 Jul 16
I think it is something that this younger generation should really keep in mind (well, older too, i guess), but yes, i've often said i'm glad that social media and the internet were NOT around in my younger wilder days.
2 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
30 Jul 16
@DeborahDiane my kids can find out some of it when i'm 90 years old... then it could be funny... ha ha.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jul 16
@jillybean1222 - I have often said the same thing ... that I am glad that social media and the internet were not around in my younger days. I don't think I would want my children to know EVERYTHING about my own youth! LOL
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
31 Jul 16
@jillybean1222 - I wonder what our great-great grandchildren will think when they scroll back through the archives to find things out about their parents and grandparents! I'm sure they will think it is funny!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 Jul 16
@shshiju - I agree that we should live with dignity so no reports hurt us.
1 person likes this
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
29 Jul 16
@DeborahDiane True. Then take it a circulation matter.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 Jul 16
@Vivenda - I didn't think about that, but you are absolutely right. We do have to be careful about what we write about other people ... including our family members.
1 person likes this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
25 Jul 16
I really don't put my personal business out there, although I haven't done anything (that I can think of) that would be embarrassing if it made the front page.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jul 16
@cindiowens - Good for you! Most people have something that would embarrass them if it were on the front page!
@rina110383 (24492)
•
25 Jul 16
I live by this rule. I'm careful about everything I post. I don't want to violate any law for things that I write.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Jul 16
@rina110383 - I think that you are smart to be careful about everything you post!
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
25 Jul 16
It will only make the front page if you are rich and famous, but for little people like me, no one really cares if l walked on the main street with my underwear on my head.
About SM,l always think of what l write,dont want something written in carelessness coing back to bite.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40326)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jul 16
@miniam - You are smart to be careful what you write. None of us want something to come back and bite!
1 person likes this
