Church posting kids online

[Anonymous]

Our church, which is a very large church that we love (no longer in DMV) has been posting kids names and addresses online as a way to promote youth gatherings, and posting mission trip locations publically on Instagram with kids names and faces. I’m not a helicopter mom by any means but this seems a little dangerous to me? Asking because my kid is going into 6th and wondering if I should flag this to the adult in charge

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn’t you bring this up?

[Anonymous]

Um, yes. The answer is yes, you bring this up.

[Anonymous]

Not ok.

[Anonymous]

Why would they post peoples addresses?? Wtf kind of church is this??

[Anonymous]

I doubt it’s anything that’s not already floating in cyber space. If you don’t want your info posted though just tell someone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would they post peoples addresses?? Wtf kind of church is this??

I have a feeling this is a “Timmy from Tallahassee!” kind of thing and OP is being hyperbolic, for some odd reason.

[Anonymous]

If it’s photo name and city then I’d have a problem with it but maybe not complain. If it’s actual addresses then I’d raise hell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s photo name and city then I’d have a problem with it but maybe not complain. If it’s actual addresses then I’d raise hell.

Just a guess, but I’m thinking it’s probably someone well meaning posting something along the lines of “prayer meetup tonight at Kim&Ray’s house 7pm 2281 Goldcrest Ln” as opposed to just publishing a roster of names and addresses online. But yes, someone should probably point out that it could raise some privacy issues and that putting seemingly innocent info online could be exploited by folks with bad intentions

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the church’s website is outdated. Every church I know of only has this information available after login, and families opt in. The church needs to update their safety policies. OP, please email the pastor directly.

[Anonymous]

I’d be ok with name and photo.
Are they really sharing home addresses?

[Anonymous]

Our church has us sign a photo release in order for them to post our kids online (or in print, for that matter). They're very conscious of kids' safety that way. I would suggest your church implement similar - that way they can ensure parental consent, which is required by law in VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s photo name and city then I’d have a problem with it but maybe not complain. If it’s actual addresses then I’d raise hell.

Just a guess, but I’m thinking it’s probably someone well meaning posting something along the lines of “prayer meetup tonight at Kim&Ray’s house 7pm 2281 Goldcrest Ln” as opposed to just publishing a roster of names and addresses online. But yes, someone should probably point out that it could raise some privacy issues and that putting seemingly innocent info online could be exploited by folks with bad intentions

Our church posts that it will be at so-and-so's house, but you only get that house address after you sign up your kid.

Could someone conceivably take advantage of the open sign-up to get an address? Yes, but at least it's not Google searchable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s photo name and city then I’d have a problem with it but maybe not complain. If it’s actual addresses then I’d raise hell.

Just a guess, but I’m thinking it’s probably someone well meaning posting something along the lines of “prayer meetup tonight at Kim&Ray’s house 7pm 2281 Goldcrest Ln” as opposed to just publishing a roster of names and addresses online. But yes, someone should probably point out that it could raise some privacy issues and that putting seemingly innocent info online could be exploited by folks with bad intentions

Our church posts that it will be at so-and-so's house, but you only get that house address after you sign up your kid.

Could someone conceivably take advantage of the open sign-up to get an address? Yes, but at least it's not Google searchable.

Yep this is exactly what it is. I wouldn’t have a problem with the google form thing but blasting the address out to hundred of followers doesn’t sit right with me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s photo name and city then I’d have a problem with it but maybe not complain. If it’s actual addresses then I’d raise hell.

Just a guess, but I’m thinking it’s probably someone well meaning posting something along the lines of “prayer meetup tonight at Kim&Ray’s house 7pm 2281 Goldcrest Ln” as opposed to just publishing a roster of names and addresses online. But yes, someone should probably point out that it could raise some privacy issues and that putting seemingly innocent info online could be exploited by folks with bad intentions

Our church posts that it will be at so-and-so's house, but you only get that house address after you sign up your kid.

Could someone conceivably take advantage of the open sign-up to get an address? Yes, but at least it's not Google searchable.

Yep this is exactly what it is. I wouldn’t have a problem with the google form thing but blasting the address out to hundred of followers doesn’t sit right with me

Have you reached out to the director of children's or youth ministry (or pastor or whoever is in charge) and just pointed that out?

Any church that wouldn't receive that with "Oops, you're right, we'll fix that right away" is not a place I feel comfortable having my kids. Been through too many church-mandated child safety training videos that show just exactly how serial abusers take advantage of churches that aren't on their guard.