Jon & Kate, a Lack of Privacy and the Long Tail of the Internet

Like many others, I watched the most recent episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 with sadness. The announcement of their pending divorce after 10 years of marriage and eight children is heartbreaking. It is difficult to see a family going through such challenges and knowing that the children, especially, have a long road ahead. What's even worse is knowing that all of the anger, bad behavior and negativity is being captured online.

Last week, I posted a link to my article on Blogging Safety and Privacy and I asked you to share your own privacy and safety tips. In my article, I suggest that parents avoid sharing embarrassing stories about their children, but it's not just the kids' escapades you should reconsider. The Internet simply is not a private place. More importantly, the information you share isn't going to go away. Through projects like the Internet Archive, the things you share today (or five years ago) will still be around in years to come.

Jon and Kate Gosselin are effectively recording all of the intimate details of their relationship for their children to experience over and over. Not only that, their kids' friends will have access as well. Unless you want to create your own mini-reality TV show, take a moment to consider what you share online. It may come back to haunt you - or your kids - in the future.

What do you think about permanently recording your family's most difficult experiences for all to see?

Related Content:

• Jon and Kate Separate
• Jon and Kate File for Divorce
• The Gosselins File for Divorce
• Joint Custody Advice for Jon and Kate?
• Jon and Kate Plus 8 Equals TMI
• Was It the Chocolate Pudding, a Book for Kids on Divorce
• Seeing the Kate Gosselin in Me (and You)
• Is Kate Gosselin a Working Mom?
• Does Mady Gosselin Need Discipline or a Diagnosis?