think before you tag


Tuesday, February 17, 2009

You won't hear me complaining about the growth of social networking sites, or online communities of any kind, really. I'm a big supporter, CLEARLY. I've found everything from an end table to a husband on the internet. What you will hear me complain about is Facebook etiquette, specifically as it relates to photo tagging. I love staying in touch with friends from all stages of my life, even the "Mom jeans, horizontal stripes, and plastic baby barrettes" stage. But if we're going to be Facebook friends, I'm going to have to ask you to stop posting photos of me during that stage and then TAGGING me, so my entire friend-o-sphere is immediately notified.

I've thought about just trying not to be crazy for one second and letting it go, but then I discovered that profile photos are organized by date added. So, when my long-lost friend from high school clicks to view my photos and see how I've changed and what I've been up to, instead of seeing my most flattering/successful/happy angles, she sees a photo of you. Looking adorable. Oh, and there's me - out of focus, unaware of the camera and presumably in the middle of some sort of facial stretching exercises. Wearing a mini-backpack.

I feel awkward clicking "Remove Tag," but if I can't control how flattering my own online profile photos are, WHAT CAN I CONTROL?

10 comments:

Miko said...

I feel you reserve the right to remove tags at any time!

Jill said...

I certainly have been one to remove tags. I really don't like the surprises either. :)

Anonymous said...

I second this idea. I log on only every once in awhile and once was SHOCKED and appalled to find that some pretty unappealing photos of me had been tagged and available for public viewing for about three weeks. Gasp!mi

Lacey Jane said...

Oh girl- I couldn't agree more. Well put!

lisa said...

Remove, Remove, Remove!

becky said...

personally, i think if people are going to be posting old-school pictures, it's only courteous to ASK someone if they mind it. i have un-tagged myself all over the place and don't feel bad about it one bit!

Meghann said...

I couldn't agree more. I really don't need co-workes to know that I used to moonlight as the black Power Ranger.

Sarah said...

I think there are more pictures of me with tags removed than with tags intact. Feel no remorse.
And yet, I can't really imagine any unflattering angles on you. After all, you rocked that snowman sweater.

Rupper Family said...

Reading your post reminds me of a certain rear shot posted all over in our high school, my ugly butt with the only recognizable face on it...I quit facebook if it surfaces!

Emily said...

I couldn't agree more and I am a huge fan of the Remove Tag feature. I prefer to let people believe I have long, flowing hair, thank you very much.