Do Bloggers Owe Readers Full Disclosure?

Growing up, most of us were socialized to believe that “sharing” was a good thing. That it made us decent, unselfish, conscious, evolved human beings.
Remember how we were encouraged to share with our siblings, playmates, and those less fortunate?

In most aspects of life, sharing is a groovy thing.
It truly reaps rewards--whether it’s karma, or the satisfaction of knowing that we’ve helped someone through the allocation of information or resources.

Perhaps it’s the underlying reason too, that “sharing” on personal blogs has become so popular. Writers may feel that being transparent and “giving” makes them more likeable, generous and real.
But sharing as a child, compared to sharing as a grown up, has different rules and dynamics, folks.

Tread carefully.
In an effort to establish rapport with their readers, reveal vulnerabilities, and perhaps form future bonds, some bloggers are going way beyond the call of duty in what they share online, (through images and conversations) IMHO (in my humble opinion).

Which begs the question: Do we owe our blog audience “full-disclosure”?

Here are some things to consider...

• Whether it’s a personal blog or a personal friend, proper discretion is important.

 Some things are best left between you and your clergy, or your God. Why? Because how much you share “speaks to” your level of social sophistication, and understanding of appropriate manners in public forums. Remember, there’s a time and place for everything.


• What you share may violate other’s privacy.
 A good example of this would be celebrity divorces, or the lives of politicians. Do we really need to know all the intimate details of their sex lives, finances, family dysfunctions? And what about their kids and/or parents? Do they deserve to have their lives on public “display” by association?


• I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating.
Bloggers, you never know who is reading your words. Hello? It could be a conservative client. Or your child’s teacher. Or a future employer. Keeping things at a “PG “ or “G” rating can provide for a lot of damage control for the future.


• Depending upon what you share, (and how you share) you can make yourself unnecessarily vulnerable.
To litigation. To alienating friends and families. To backlash and FaceBook wars.

Ask yourself, is it worth it?
Additionally, in an article featured at Bloggingpro.com, the author poses some enlightening questions to consider for those who desire to discuss personal issues on their Blogs or other public forums:

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1.Why am I sharing this?
2.Would I want my children (or anyone important to you) to read this and know I wrote this?
3.Would I want my co-workers/acquaintances to know this about me?
4. How would my life/reputation be affected if I share these details?
5. How would the other parties involved be affected?

I find that Writers are often divided on this timely topic. Author & PR expert , Wendy Burt-Thomas, offers the following:

"I'm a fan of personal stories being shared on blogs because it adds a sense of comfort and camaraderie to the post. Personalization makes blogs more relatable and there's a sense of humility involved in sharing stories that you'd tell a close friend.
My general rule is, if you can find it on the Internet already, it's probably ok to share."


You decide. But there's great validity to the expression, "Loose lips sink ships."
Sail carefully.

Agree or disagree? What are your guidelines for sharing?


Image credit: Freedigitalphotos.net