Westside Story – Social Media Safety Tip

I will not deny that social media, such as Facebook, is all the rage and those who participate are hip. I must admit at age 72, apparently I am no longer hip. I choose to not participate in social media for a couple of reasons.

Reason Number 1: I am too busy living life to expend the time required to keep up with social media.

Reason Number 2: As a police officer I handled too many cases where social media was involved. I was witness to social media facilitating crimes.

For those who enjoy and benefit from social media, keep it up, but be prudent about the photos and information you publish.

Social media and guns have one thing in common. The use of either by criminals causes personal, financial and physical injury and death to their victims. That does not mean we should outlaw guns or social media. It does mean we should be careful about what we publish on social media if we desire to not be victimized by this trendy human relationship tool.

My photo below shows how a 1 month old baby already understand the principles of my social media safety tip. The photo speaks loud and clear; no birthdate information and no facial identity.

I have asked my relatives to never use my name, photo or location in their social media fun.

Of course the alligator might be at risk.

If truth be told, this is a backwards story. I did not write the social media safety tip story and then look for a perfect photo to illustrate my point. First the photo was sent to me. I then wrote my social media safety tip story in response to the creative ideas the photo triggered in my mind.

I was desperate. The photo created an overpowering urge inside me to share the photo with all of you. I needed to write a story, any story, so you too could enjoy this one of a kind photo.

Author’s Note:

Now that I think of it, I could have used the photo in a photo caption contest. It could be fun. It is not too late. Let’s do it now. There is no extra cost to you for 2 story ideas for 1 photo.

Here are some of my photo caption ideas:

1. A girl does not like to talk about her age.
2. Let’s play hide-and-seek.
3. I am not allowed to watch Dr. Phil.
4. When I dig deep enough, I always find some loose change in the couch.
5. Get me a robe before you take my picture.
6. If I am really smooth, I can pick my alligator’s pocket.
7. I love practical jokes, so I think I will tie my alligator’s tail in a knot.
8. 1 month already! It will not be long now before I get my driver’s license.
9. I need to start thinking about which boy I want to invite to my high school tolo dance.
10. Mommy do not answer the door. My diaper is hanging out.
11. I am the only baby I know who can hitchhike with her left foot. Instead of thumbing a ride, I can
    toe a ride.
12. Don’t worry, when I pass out my, mommy and daddy know I need a diaper change.

Readers, I invite you to contribute your own photo captions in the COMMENTS SECTION.