I am curious how other moms feel about stickers on cars. Lately, I've seen alot of stickers with kids names and the sport they play or the little family stickers. The worst one was an honor roll student bumper sticker with the kids picture on it. In todays society, this really bothers me. Am I paranoid? Do other parents feel that this could be a problem? I feel like people are advertising their kids and the wrong people could use this information to hurt these kids. Don't get me wrong, I understand people are proud of their kids. I just don't think we should put our kids names on the back of our vehicles.
I am glad to see that I am not the only person who feels this way. I hope somebody on here saw this and decided to take their stickers off their vehicle.
D., I feel the same way you do. I think it's not a good idea to advertise to the whole world how many kids you have, etc. There are too many sickos in the world that might decide to follow you home. So you're not the only one that feels that way!
CBS actually did a story on this very topic a few months ago, although the reporting they did wasn't very thorough. The reporter only pointed out the fact that putting personal information about a child on the back of a vehicle might make it easier to contact one of those kids at a sporting event they play in or an extracurricular practice they attend. However, they offered no statistics on how many times that's actually happened. My husband and I own a media production company that offers news bureau services, so we did a little research. We couldn't find a single case of foul play or abduction resulting from information taken off of the back of a vehicle in Lee, Collier or Charlotte counties. That's not to say it's never happened anywhere, but we think the chances are relatively slim.
I do agree with you that advertising your child's name, birthdate and photograph on the back of your car is probably not a great idea. (I wouldn't do it.) I'd be less concerned about abduction (only because my kids never go anywhere except school without me) and more concerned about someone using that information to steal identity. My 14 year old son is an honor student. His school provides me with a generic bumper sticker that I proudly display on the back of my SUV. Southwest Florida knows I have a really bright kid and my son knows I'm incredibly proud of him. That's all they need to know.
You are absolutely right! This is one of the same reasons why I would never get one of those big balloons on your front lawn advertising to everyone driving by that you have a brand new baby at home that they can come steal! Just because something hasn't happened before (like someone previously mentioned with the sticker on cars), doesn't mean it's not going to happen in the future. It only takes one time and there are a lot of sicko's out there.
Just recently I bought one of those cute backpacks from Pottery Barn with my daughters name on it. My mom saw it said not to let her take it to school or anywhere out in public where someone could call her name and lure her away. I couldn't believe I didn't even think about that?!
But I totally agree with you D., that it is pure advertisement that you have a child in case anyone is out there looking to snatch one!
I totally agree with you. I feel a little weird when I forget and leave my son's name tag on my windshield from parent pick up. I once had a license plate with my name on it (for the front of the car) and someone told me I shouldn't do that because some psycho could pretend he knew me and I just forgot him. Then he had a reason to approach me and hurt me. The same rings true with kids.
I completely agree with you. My daughters both dance (5 or more days a week)and love it. I am proud of their accomplishments and the hard work they put in to be competitive in their prefered activity. While I think these "family stickers" with mom, dad, and the kids are super cute and would look awesome on my car, I will not use them. You never know who might decide to follow you because they are looking for 1 or 2 little girls (preferably dancers) or some boys, or.... There are lots of sick people out there and I don't need them to know who's riding in my car. Better be paranoid than sorry!!!
I agree. I have read and view many articles on how child abusers can track down your child. They could use the information from you car and talk to the child. With this information, child thinks the child is a friend and could trick the child. I never put that type of information on my car and would advise against it.
I agree with you. It does seem like a form of advertising. You are advertising to the world that your kid is super/advanced/talented etc...... etc. etc. I have had opportunities to "buy such stickers" but thought - hey, I don't want some pervert to read it and follow us around. The kids are girls and I guess we are even more cautious with them. Anyone could read it and then follow you or just go to the place and scope it out and wait around till they spot you and your child. As unlikely as this is---------- it could happen and it would be ashame that it all stemed from the sticker on your car! Why give the perverts more information than they need? Why encourage a stalker?Being a little paranoid in this world has justification ... I do not believe it is healthy to be overboard though but this subject does merit some thought!
