Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 11:06     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
Anonymous wrote:I used to do this often but now almost never. Only if I have a reason to check their background (I've googled a surgeon to see if their patient reviews, I've googled an interviewer to get a sense of their background before I meet with them).

I can tell that some people are in the habit of googling every parent they meet at our kids' school and I consider this a weird, toxic behavior. You can tell because people will share gossip about other parents that they clearly found online -- info about where someone used to work or who their parents are, that was clearly not shared with them directly.

This is not only creepy but grasping and depressing. I don't actually care if the parents at my kid's school used to work at the Obama White House or are related to a tech billionaire. In fact, I'd prefer not to know stuff like that. I'm not networking at school events and I'm not making decisions about playdates or birthday parties based on how famous/connected/impressive a kid's parents are. I do not care.


I think it's weird they tell people about facts they gathered, like against the code of quietly googling people! I love to look up people I meet but always thought it was rude/bizarre to tell people what you found (other than once when I found out a friend's new boyfriend was a lying creep).
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 11:05     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
I used to do this often but now almost never. Only if I have a reason to check their background (I've googled a surgeon to see if their patient reviews, I've googled an interviewer to get a sense of their background before I meet with them).

I can tell that some people are in the habit of googling every parent they meet at our kids' school and I consider this a weird, toxic behavior. You can tell because people will share gossip about other parents that they clearly found online -- info about where someone used to work or who their parents are, that was clearly not shared with them directly.

This is not only creepy but grasping and depressing. I don't actually care if the parents at my kid's school used to work at the Obama White House or are related to a tech billionaire. In fact, I'd prefer not to know stuff like that. I'm not networking at school events and I'm not making decisions about playdates or birthday parties based on how famous/connected/impressive a kid's parents are. I do not care.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 11:01     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
Once in a while. I haven't seen people from "home" since 1996.
This thread reminds me to go look...
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 10:57     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
Yes, often. I'll randomly think of someone after decades, like an old classmate, a former colleague, and google them.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 10:52     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
Of course. Not often but once in a while I'll google someone out of genuine curiosity.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 10:52     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
I recently looked up the guy I lost my virginity to. We met on a summer progam and he was a couple of years older than me and really handsome (and nice). Nothing ever came of it afterwards, though we did meet up a year or so later when I happened to be in the city he was from. But that was it. He seems to have some kind of finance job.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 10:29     Subject: Re:How often do you google people you used to know?
Anonymous wrote:Youall the time. Just m an Internet stalker.

I google people I meet too.

I found out one dad on our kids soccer team was arrested for child sex abuse recently.

I found out an old friend died.

I found out another old friend had a child die of cancer.

I have a friend who is a famous actor but I saw him in a small part then would stalk him until he hit it big and now he’s just on Wikipedia . Boring so easy.

I had a friend at a party say I could never find out her “real story” … a week later I found she changed her name, she was one of 4 sibling, the other 3 were adopted from another county and the country, where she graduated from HS and what political contributions she made. She was blown away, lol.


Ooh, I do this too. I used to have a job where I had to search for info on people online (think fundraising) so I'm pre adept at finding stuff. That said, most of the time I'm too busy to spend time on this. But sometimes if I meet someone new I'll search them and figure out everything there is to know within 5 minutes. It's kind of weird but most of what is out there on people is there because they put it there. Want privacy? Don't post your life online.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 10:23     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
I do it regularly but on a 1-5 year cycle for any one person although I have one old flame that I stalk yearly. He has open social media but I'm not a follower so I don't get updates until I actually search. It's always entertaining to see what he's up to. The others and most acquaintances are more an every 2-3 year thing. Most of the time I'm busy living my own life and barely know which end is up.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 08:01     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
Daily. Information is power.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 07:33     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
Every day. I have their addresses pinned in maps.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 01:18     Subject: Re:How often do you google people you used to know?
Maybe once or twice a year. I have a college reunion coming up, so I’ve looked up a few folks.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 01:15     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
I came across this older discussion and wanted to add that I mostly look people up when something random reminds me of them and I wonder how they’re doing now. I’m always surprised by how little or how much shows up. Does anyone else get nervous they’ll somehow get a notification that you searched for them, even though I know that’s not how Google works?
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2023 11:52     Subject: How often do you google people you used to know?
I do genealogy. It's pretty easy to find out about people.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2023 11:27     Subject: Re:How often do you google people you used to know?
Anonymous wrote:Youall the time. Just m an Internet stalker.

I google people I meet too.

I found out one dad on our kids soccer team was arrested for child sex abuse recently.

I found out an old friend died.

I found out another old friend had a child die of cancer.

I have a friend who is a famous actor but I saw him in a small part then would stalk him until he hit it big and now he’s just on Wikipedia . Boring so easy.

I had a friend at a party say I could never find out her “real story” … a week later I found she changed her name, she was one of 4 sibling, the other 3 were adopted from another county and the country, where she graduated from HS and what political contributions she made. She was blown away, lol.


Remember when everyone was freaked out about posting pictures of vaccine cards with birthdays on social media? You idiots, I can google you and find your address AND birthday.
Anonymous
Post 09/14/2023 06:24     Subject: Re:How often do you google people you used to know?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Youall the time. Just m an Internet stalker.

I google people I meet too.

I found out one dad on our kids soccer team was arrested for child sex abuse recently.

I found out an old friend died.

I found out another old friend had a child die of cancer.

I have a friend who is a famous actor but I saw him in a small part then would stalk him until he hit it big and now he’s just on Wikipedia . Boring so easy.

I had a friend at a party say I could never find out her “real story” … a week later I found she changed her name, she was one of 4 sibling, the other 3 were adopted from another county and the country, where she graduated from HS and what political contributions she made. She was blown away, lol.


That's not remotely creepy.
m
I’m watching you!