Should Parents Stop Posting Photos of Their Children Online?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Massachusetts mom Jenni Brennan had no idea how her life would change when she opened an email from "some girl."
The email altered Jenni that her seven-month-old son Jacob was currently listed as available for adoption at Craigslist; apparently, part of an international adoption scam.
When Brennan followed the link provided in the email, she found an ad offering a "Cute Baby Boy," who supposedly was residing in an orphanage in Cameroon. For only $300, interested parties could begin the adoption process.
A picture was not included in the listing.
Brennan opted to do a bit of her own detective work and sent an email to the address listed. She quickly received a response and photo; a photo she confirmed to be of her son, whom she calls Jake.
It seems that the photo was taken with the Brennan's family blog.
Following her discovery, Brennan immediately contacted the FBI and Massachusetts' Attorney General's Office.
Yahoo has closed the account listed as a contact in the fraudulent ad.
In addition, Brennan has now restricted access to her family blog.
Following the flurry of the Brennan case, coupled with the recent case involving mom-blogging Danielle, writer of Extraordinary Mommy - whose family photo was stolen from her site and used on a billboard campaign in the Czech Republic (read more of the story) - many bloggers are saying that parents should not post pictures of their children online; lest something like these cases occur or worse.
I'm curious to other bloggers thoughts on this. Will you continue posting pictures of your children online? If so, will you decrease pixels and/or watermark your images?
Share your thoughts.
The email altered Jenni that her seven-month-old son Jacob was currently listed as available for adoption at Craigslist; apparently, part of an international adoption scam.
When Brennan followed the link provided in the email, she found an ad offering a "Cute Baby Boy," who supposedly was residing in an orphanage in Cameroon. For only $300, interested parties could begin the adoption process.
A picture was not included in the listing.
Brennan opted to do a bit of her own detective work and sent an email to the address listed. She quickly received a response and photo; a photo she confirmed to be of her son, whom she calls Jake.
It seems that the photo was taken with the Brennan's family blog.
Following her discovery, Brennan immediately contacted the FBI and Massachusetts' Attorney General's Office.
Yahoo has closed the account listed as a contact in the fraudulent ad.
In addition, Brennan has now restricted access to her family blog.
Following the flurry of the Brennan case, coupled with the recent case involving mom-blogging Danielle, writer of Extraordinary Mommy - whose family photo was stolen from her site and used on a billboard campaign in the Czech Republic (read more of the story) - many bloggers are saying that parents should not post pictures of their children online; lest something like these cases occur or worse.
I'm curious to other bloggers thoughts on this. Will you continue posting pictures of your children online? If so, will you decrease pixels and/or watermark your images?
Share your thoughts.
2 chatted about this topic:
you know for every whacko out there, there has to be 10 who are normal. or at least that is my thinking...lol. i don't think I will stop posting pics because this is my life and a way to remember Blaze and things that happen. I fthey don't get a pic online then there will be another scam on another day. there really is no way to stop these crooked people so I am going to live my life the way I want and know I should.
Bingo on the 10:1 scenario! I figure if you stop posting pics online, you need to stop getting pics developed or even letting your child out where someone else may potentially take a pic without you knowing.
Those who want to do something, will find a way.
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