Jessica Simpson Accidentally Gave Us An Online Wake Up Call

Jessica Simpson, singer, actress, and fashion designer, has stirred up the online community, and the situation could be instructive for Utah parents as we consider what we should share online.

Jessica Simpson wanted to share a classic moment on Instagram as her kids were heading back to school. She posted an encouraging message cheering for her kids and celebrating this milestone event. It was a very nice moment, but then viewers realized that her kids in the picture were wearing school uniforms with the school name visible. Unfortunately, the school logo was clearly visible on her daughter's shirt and people reacted.

There were a wide array of comments—from those who thought she should have known better as a celebrity mom, to others saying it didn’t matter because all celebrity kids go to the same school anyway. Now, Jessica Simpson has to do what’s best for her family, and I wish her the best. But here’s the wake-up call for me: famous or not, I should be aware of how much information I’m giving away online.

It’s not just about the school your kids attend, but other information as well. Think about how disturbing it would be if someone dug through your private files to find some of the stuff we share freely on the internet. Not that we need to be paranoid, but maybe a dose of caution is necessary before we post memories just because we can.

Read More: Social Security Number Stolen? Here’s What To Do Next

I remember someone advising us about posting vacation pictures in real time because perpetrators would know your house is empty. Keep that in mind as you decide what to post, and maybe consider what should be shared on more private channels.