NEW UPDATES: Please scroll to the bottom to read the updates!! Something similar was mentioned on the Today show on 2/27/2015.
We
often don’t think about it when we post a photo online via Facebook or Twitter
that someone will come along and snatch it and use it as their own.
Sick?
Absolutely. My mom said it was frightening. She even asked “what is wrong with
those people”.
She’s
right. It is. But, it is very real and I’ve seen it with my own eyes. As far as
what is wrong with them … that is anyone’s guess and only a medical
professional’s opinion.
How’d
we get on to the subject?
I
was talking with a friend Sunday night (12/21) when she questioned the “validity”
of a photo. Basically “Joanna” was claiming that the photo was of herself, a
twin (Janne), and a friend taken “a long time ago”. [As of note, the “Joanna”
account no longer exists on Facebook, so that says something right there –
though perhaps the privacy was locked down].
The
problem? These people are in their 40’s (born in 1970). So, the photo would
HAVE to be about 30-35 years old (1979-1984).
Here’s
the screen-cap:
 |
| [While it is dated December 17, 2008 ... that can be backdated. I know, I've done it on Facebook for photo albums] |
Frightening?
Absolutely. It should be.
To
make it more terrifying, the apparent “friend” [Lisa] comments that she
remembers it ... which you can read here:
 |
| [Long long time ago? As in when? 2008 or 2014?] |
While
that’d be okay … the photo was taken from a November 2014 blog:
“Stay Safe on the Slopes – Safety Tips for Families” [http://kidproject.org/2014/11/26/stay-safe-slopes-safety-tips-families/]
 |
| [Listing from the main BLOG page of the website] |
 |
| [Full size photo. Can find it here: http://kidproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IMG_6331-640x523.jpg] |
Scared now?
Sorry,
but I am hoping you are. Actually, I’m hoping you’re TERRIFIED. This is THAT serious!
I’m
sure this mom would be terrified that her children are being “used” like this –
that someone (Joanna) is claiming to be her children, only a “long time ago”,
and that another person (Lisa) remembers that memory. I’m sorry, but that is
terrifying.
But,
you wonder … if it happened to her … could it happen to you? Is someone using
your children as their own, maybe as their younger selves? Maybe they’re using
your memories as theirs.
That
reminds me of a movie … remember “One Hour Photo”? It was one of Robin
Williams’ movies were he deviates from his normal comedic side.
Here’s
a synopsis from IMDB:
“His favorite customers are the Yorkin family, made up of
husband Will (Michael Vartan), wife Nina (Connie Nielsen), and their son, Jake
(Dylan Smith). He has done their photos for years and, over time, has developed
an obsession with the family; he idolizes their happiness and affluence,
memorizes every personal detail about them that he can learn, and finally
begins to stalk them. Sy secretly makes his own copies of the Yorkins' photos
from the film negatives and then puts them on a wall in his apartment, a
massive collage which has accumulated to over 600 in count. Most of all, he
fantasizes about being a member of their family and sharing in the love he
assumes they must feel.”
That
(and this newest incident) has me thinking about all those photos I share on
Twitter with my “Project: 365” and other “memories”.
Who
else is using those? Thankfully I don’t have a family that I put up there
(kids, husband, parents, etc). And, as far as Facebook? That is locked down.
Only specific people that I know and trust can see my photos. There are some
people I personally know (friends) that I don’t let see certain things. But, it
is cause for concern.
I’d
like to warn this mom … give her “Lisa’s” information and let her report it to
Facebook. But, I also don’t want to invade the mom’s privacy or sound like a
creeper. I mean how would it sound?
However,
the reason I decided to mention this is that some of my friends “friend” a lot
of people on Facebook, publicize their Instagram accounts, and even post on
Twitter. These people have their kids’ names listed, where they go to school,
and sometimes their schedules. Again, that movie comes to mind.
I’m
wondering how many people might have stolen those precious memories and are
using them in a Facebook account talking about their “kids”.
My
friend and I were talking about this while I was watching the prequels of “Star
Wars”. As I sat there watching the movie, crocheting, and spending time with my
mom ... I thought about who might have saved my pictures and used them to make
up their own memories or moments. Whose
daughter am I? Whose mother is she? It can be frightening. It definitely makes
you want to reconsider uploading that cute photo of the kids.
That
was another reason I felt compelled to write this … it could happen to any one
of us. And, the sad thing? “Lisa” never addressed the issue of why that picture
from supposedly a “long time ago” featured someone’s real kids from a November
2014 blog.
If
my blog accomplishes anything I hope you {the reader} take stock of what you
post and your security settings. And, also watch who you friend. While I’ll
admit, I friend some people I haven’t met, I’ve also gotten to know them
through people I have … and their stories check out.
As
with anything – be cautious. Don’t be afraid to set up “lists” on Facebook and
group people accordingly. Watch what you put out there. And, if it seems
strange, yes question it – PLEASE! There are some sick people out there. They
don’t always advertise.
If
you’re not sure, ask a friend’s advice. The worst thing you’ll end up doing is
losing someone who likely should be lost. The best thing? You’ll keep your
family’s memories to yourselves not to mention your safety.
As
far as me? I’m wondering if I want to keep sharing pictures on Twitter …
UPDATE [1:50pm PST]:
After writing this blog nine (9)
hours ago (and half-asleep), someone commented on a Facebook post that perhaps
the individual who did this might be mentally ill. All the more reason in
exercising caution when posting online and who you share to.
And, all the more reason to “warn”
people against friending the person or persons in the photos. After all,
as friends shouldn’t we look out for each other? Especially this time of year?
Although
the “commenter” didn’t see anything wrong with it and pointed out that it wasn’t
like it was a pedophile deal. True it wasn’t.
I will agree to a point ...
But, as I and someone else pointed
out – you can’t say for 100% that the person isn’t trying to lure people in
with a sad tale. And, you can’t say for 100% that they aren’t a child predator.
Why?
Why?
Some things start off innocent.
And, when something BAD happens we say “OH NO! I saw that! I knew something was
wrong/off. I knew it, I felt it. I had this nagging feeling …”
I’d rather be overly cautious than
be a victim. There is NOTHING wrong with exercising caution nor warning people
to take a bit more caution. The worst that happens is that we’re wrong.
But, when it starts off with a lie …
I don’t think it is going to get better.
Again, just my thoughts on that. As
for me? I’m going to tighten my security a bit better.
Another thought I will leave with everyone – IDENTITY THEFT. If that isn’t a cause for concern, I don’t know what is.
Now, to get Twitter to have that nifty little “list” feature.
Here is another “photo” with those kids … (supposedly this “Lisa” with Janne and Joanna) …
And, the direct photo link :
http://blog.snowbasin.com/wp-content/uploads/G0092007-001.jpg
Another thought I will leave with everyone – IDENTITY THEFT. If that isn’t a cause for concern, I don’t know what is.
Now, to get Twitter to have that nifty little “list” feature.
UPDATE:
January 4, 2015
I
just wanted to update this blog to say that I did more research on that “photo”
…
Here
is another link where this blog was featured:
“5
Safety Tips For Families On the Slopes”
Here is another “photo” with those kids … (supposedly this “Lisa” with Janne and Joanna) …
And, the direct photo link :
http://blog.snowbasin.com/wp-content/uploads/G0092007-001.jpg
It
bears repeating that that is in NO way a “long, long ago” picture. I’d venture
a guess that it was in 2014. Definitely not in the 1970’s.
I
am also writing a follow up blog as to my future of “Project: 365” on Twitter.
UPDATE: 2/27/2015 ...
I had to take my car in for service and was waiting on paperwork for a loaner. I heard about "DIGITAL KIDNAPPING" on the TV. Here is the video from the TODAY show:
Here is also an article about it:
UPDATE: 2/27/2015 ...
I had to take my car in for service and was waiting on paperwork for a loaner. I heard about "DIGITAL KIDNAPPING" on the TV. Here is the video from the TODAY show:
I urge everyone to read this blog, share it, and get educated!! This is not just a "minor" matter. This crime has a name. I hope the person who once commented “wrong, but not really a big issue to worry about” ... can now see this is a crime, it has a name, and there are victims.
