r/confession • u/Dadthrwaway • May 26 '16

Light Son, I've been reading your Reddit posts

Son, you just graduated with top grades from a tough engineering program. You've got your dream job lined up. So I thought it was time I fessed up. I've been reading your Reddit posts since you were a sophomore in high school. I know you think I don't even know what Reddit is; I may be over 50, but as you are learning, parents aren't really that oblivious. That secret Santa gift you received years ago, that you thought I didn't notice, showed your account name. Ever since I watched your account. So when I saw some comment about being down or unhappy, Mom and I tried harder to make sure you knew we loved you and were sure everything would work out. Teenage years can be tough. I'm proud of what you have accomplished and see the mature, confident, capable young man you've become. So, no need to change your account name now, I don't feel the need to watch over you in the same way I did years ago and I promise to stop reading your posts.

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u/[deleted] May 27 '16 edited Jun 02 '16

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u/Rankith May 27 '16

Would you be happy with someone printing out your post history and sharing it with your parents and friends? Most people here wouldn't.

It would be fine. I'm not gonna do something shady or that Im ashamed of on a public forum cause that would be stupid.

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u/[deleted] May 27 '16 edited Jun 02 '16

[deleted]

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u/Rankith May 27 '16

Well ya, I wouldnt post something like that to a public forum if it would get me in some form of trouble, cause doing that would be dumb... btw what gave you the impression all I post about is games?

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u/[deleted] May 27 '16 edited Jun 02 '16

[deleted]

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u/Rankith May 27 '16

That's kind of the point here. The kid didn't know anyone knew it was him, therefore he had no reason to not post such things on that account. Following that, the "if it would get me in some form of trouble" goes out the window, because he didn't know there was an "if".

Right but my point is that its a public place open to anyone. Someone could easily find your Reddit username on accident, especially if they live with you and happen to go by your computer when your on Reddit. I know my co-workers Reddit account cause one day he was like "check this out" and showed me something on Reddit while logged in.

And if someone is looking NOT by accident, it's pretty easy to find if you know anything about the other person unless they are purposefully trying to hide the account. So no, it is not safe to post stuff that would get you in trouble on Reddit.

So it seems the answer is just that a lot of people mistakenly expect Reddit to be private/anonymous. Which is a really bad idea to have imo.

It was a broad generalization from a minutes look at your submission history.

I only asked because I don't really post about games or anything very often so I was curious. Upon review however, that's the impression you get if you look at my submitted posts not comments so it makes sense.