Now that you mention it....

[Sleepyheaded_Mama]

HOw worried does one have to be that one's ex might find one's posts on MDC and try to use them somehow against her? What, if anything, can one do to protect one's self seeing as one cannot possibly go back and delete every post one ever made?

[Theia]

Legally? I am not sure. I have email convo's saved between DD's father and I. The attorney I spoke with said it is a grey area and depends on the judges mostly. Not quite the same as a forum posting, but if there is a way to prove that "A" is you, then I'd be careful at least.

Personally, I am very careful about what I say regarding my own personal life on public forums especially. Even TAO. The others that require beyond a 500 post count hold more weight in safety for me. I just always assume that I may be watched. It sucks for me. But its what I feel is best for me.

[organicpapayamama]

im worried about that too. My first username my ex knows that I use in various forums and didnt think about it until after the fact. I was able to go back and delete some posts but not all. I had to change my username to this one. One I have never used before and my ex would never be able to trace back to me... well at least I think.

[blessingscome]

pm'd you

[mumblemama]

My MDC posts were used against me in court. Be careful.

[Sleepyheaded_Mama]

Can I change my username? Or do I have to go back thru 500+ posts, edit to obscure my identity and then open a new account under a new name???

[cschick]

If this is a real risk you're concerned about, contact the admins. I've administered boards similar to MDC in the past, and there's probably a lot more the admins can do, quickly and more reliably, than what you can do through your interface.

Since ALL posts on MDC are indexed by Google, _anyone_ can get access to all your public MDC posts very easily and simply if they know your user name.

Put this search string into Google:

site:mothering.com Sleepyheaded_Mama

and see.

[lah7]

The MDC mods told me they'd give me a free name-change when it's a matter of safety like that (my ex was stalking me online). I would ask them and if not, pay for a name change. But I went silent for a long time until things settled down. But I also don't say things that aren't factual and that he already knows are bugging me in public forums...I'm still paranoid.