Au Pair Is Blogging About our Family on the Internet!
Question: what should a host parent do if they find their au pair is blogging about them on the internet? I found a blog on au pairs (I am not going to say which one, since I don't want everyone reading about our family!) and as I read through, I started to realize, with a sinking stomach, this au pair is my au pair and this family is ours! I read back through the blog and all the comments posted by "our au pair" and I found nothing negative, but there was some personal information shared with readers that I am very uncomfortable with.
I guess I just feel so exposed! The internet does raise issues of loyalty and confidentality that has never been addressed before, and gives more opportunity to users to share personal information with millions of people! My au pair does not know I found the blog and her comments. They seem innocent enough and she does not use names, addresses, etc. and she doesn't even use her own name.
Should I approach her about this? Doesn't she have the right to blog about her experience without my interference? Or do I have the right to privacy?
Help!
Blogging Diary
Hi Jake, this type of blogging by au pairs has become quite common. They want to share their experience in America and tell others about their family, etc., but sometimes it does get out of hand, as these posts can serve as a method of venting when things go wrong in the family or with the match. Many times young people forget that what they write in an email or on a site or on Facebook is seen by thousands if not millions of people and that using names (without their permission) is unethical.
It sounds like your au pair is not using names, but I can understand the anxiety that surrounds you that she might slip one day and name "names" and that your friends and family will know she is blogging about you even if she doesn't share your name and particulars. In addition, these posts last for years on the internet and there is often no way to erase them.
Have a talk with her - be honest and share that you found the blog and you would like her to stop posting information about you and your child and family on that blog. Suggest that she share information about you and your family on Facebook and that you are invited to that site (so you can see what is written - here you can ask her to delete something that is offensive or personal).
Good luck.
you are way to lenient
You need to step up and stop this blogging about and on your family,which is a huge invasion of your personal space, right away. you don't need to ask the question, you already know the answer, you are just trying too hard to "understand" and to "be nice."
Bring it up and tell her, in no uncertain terms,this is not allowed while she is in your home! put up or get out is our motto - you have to be tought to survive.
NO BLOGGING!
doug&cary, you are so right - jake is too lenient in this matter. kids today, as edina says here, do not always understand the consequences of what they write on the internet. this information is confidential and I am sure that the agency has rules about this, so call the counselor and ask her to intervene and spell out the rules to the au pair. for once and for all! Ask her also, would you like it if someone started to post comments on your behavior and goings on in your family? On the www? I don't she would like that either.
With all of the reality shows on tv, kids think it is okay to share intimate details with strangers and this has to be addressed in no uncertain terms.