Vent - YouTube?

[RhiChiChi]

I guess, for me, MadB's last sentence pretty much sums it up. As parents, we make decisions (whether easy ones or hard ones) on a daily basis regarding our child(ren), and those decisions are nobody's business but our own. I may or may not agree, I may or may not choose the same for my kids as what someone else does, but I try not to judge or get worked up about what other families do, especially if the kids in question are fed, clothed, loved and looked after.

I was going to say the same thing. As a parent, we make decisions at the time that we deem are ok/acceptable, whether that be from co-sleeping to not, to time in/out to whatever (IYKWIM?). I too try not to judge, although somethings I roll my eyes at but at the end of the day, like Glamourside said - as long as they are looked after, loved etc... I know that the parent is trying to do the best thing/make the best decision at the time for that child. I know I am not a fan of Utube for posting personal things, facebook with views to MY friends only is as far as I go but even then it makes me nervous.

[Arcadia]

I can see your point, but I admit I am struggling with the issue of a child shown breastfeeding. It is something that is normal and could be seen anywhere. Negative looks and comments happen in real life as well as online, and it is up to the parent to help the child understand this negativity, not shield them iykwim? Also breastfeeding isn't really the same as naked images of children because the child isn't at risk of being sexualised, only the mother is (or am I missing something?).

[Cranky Kitten]

. I know I am not a fan of Utube for posting personal things, facebook with views to MY friends only is as far as I go but even then it makes me nervous.

Me too - the only photos of my DD online are in friends-locked blogs for the benefit of long distance family and friends, I'd never post pictures of her to an unsecured site like You-tube. To me the risk is just too great. But that is my decision, and others may see things differently which is entirely their decision.

[MummyNaomi]

Personally, I have posted lots of photo's of my son on Facebook that only friends can see and also currently have a public blog/365 project on a blog site that anyone can see. I also have about 7 YouTube videos posted for anyone to see. I 'publish' content in this way for a variety of reasons.

• Most of my family live interstate so the internet is one of our most used mediums for sharing images and video
• I have many non local friends who I like to share this with
• I'm proud to show my friends and others my son - I am sharing his life journey cos I am damn well proud of it

I don't see it as violating my sons rights as at almost 2 years of age he is too young to make that decision, so I make it on his behalf. There are a number of blog photo's of him in the bath, none reveal anything other than his top half covered in bubbles, and one shows him from the back about to jump in the bath. All are in good taste and are appropriately censored.

I'm a good Mum, and a very proud Mum, and thats why I share. I think you'll find that is most peoples motivation for sharing footage or photos of their LO. I don't think there is anything sinister going on It's just the modern day version of our parents showing their friends photo albums / home video's etc

I don't think its appropriate to publish photo's where you can see images of kids/babies genitals - not because their nakedness isn't beautifully innocent, but more because I would worry a pedophile would view them. However, that horrible thought aside - I love to see gorgeous squishy bums, breastfeeding and our kids as nature intended as all are beautiful and simple parts of everyday life

[Crystalwings]

I agree that breastfeeding for example is a beautiful natural thing that shouldn't be covered up or sexualized but as sad as it is it is sexualized through the internet because lactation has become a pornography fetish. I more find it off putting that in a public domain anyone can make comment on the videos and the comments were so negative. I'm sure that the point of the videos were to highlight the importance of bf and to normalize extended bf but i just think it's unfair for the child to be in a position where strangers can comment on what she/he is doing and especially in a mean way.
MummyNaomi - I guess i was thinking mainly of YouTube because if you type in bath time or extended bf or whatever it was that got you off it comes up automatically whereas you would have to be really looking hard to find pictures on fb or a blog and you could be pretty sure it was close friend and family looking at your pictures.
I know i sound backward and it's the way of the world but i just worry about the safety of kids at times and their right for privacy.