When Whit first started at ESPN in 1997, one of the first pieces of advice he received was to keep our phone numbers unlisted. Sports fans can be crazy. They are passionate; some with zero boundaries. Predict a losing season or criticize a player from “their” team and fans will take it as a personal attack. Twice since starting in broadcasting Whit has had to change his phone number because some fan didn’t like what he said about their team. Three or four nasty calls or voicemails and he trekked down to the mobile phone store. He has had his fair share of angry emails and hate mail at our home address.

Once we started a family, we became even more diligent about keeping family information private. There was no way I would ever embroider my kids’ names on their backpacks. All it takes is for one person to watch them walk to school, see their name on their backpack and be there after school to grab them. “Hey there “xx”, mom sent me to pick you up. She is playing tennis.”

Same goes for the vinyl stick figures on rear windshields with names and sports. A magnet from the local soccer club with the name “Joey” underneath it is all that is needed to find practice and game schedules and be there when you aren’t. Or better yet, someone could stake out your home when you are at practice.

And don’t get me started on social media posts that track every day of a child’s life. Travel, extra-curricular activities, favorite places to play. It is so easy to track. Once that information is put on social media you can never get it back. Screen shots, downloads, it’s there forever. Think about when your child is applying for college or jobs. Will your child be happy to find pictures of them all over the internet as a 4 year old?

Being careless with your privacy can open you and your family up to everything, from cyberbullying and theft to extortion and kidnap. Criminals can use social media geo-tagging, landmarks and research into your typical behaviour or schedule. Kidscape is a great website with tips to secure your and your child’s profiles online. Share the photos! Brag about the one time you got everyone together in the same picture; just do it when you get home from your vacation!