Spoiler: Your Kid's Digital Footprint Started With That Sonogram You Posted

Welcome to the very first episode of Moms Off Mute! Hosts Jordan Glover and Yassi Karimi introduce themselves, share how this podcast came to be, and dive straight into a conversation about what we share online — and whether we've really thought it through.

From sonograms on Instagram to food photos with no restaurant tag, Jordan and Yassi get into the habit of oversharing in the digital age and what it actually means for our privacy. Spoiler: your full legal name, date of birth, and due date are all on that ultrasound photo.

Real talk, lots of laughs, and zero PhDs required. This is Moms Off Mute.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:05

We are here. Our first episode. I am so excited for you all to listen to it, minus the sound. Oh my God. But it was so much fun.

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Yeah. Have you ever done a podcast before? No. So the idea of even doing the podcast was crazy to me, I'll be honest. It came out of nowhere. But it was pretty fun. Yeah, thanks, Steven.

SPEAKER_01 0:24

I'm enjoying it a lot. And Hilo Gonna Beach fans? No, Steve Ben. Elsie. Good time. It's hilarious. Yes, this is our first episode that we recorded. It's been a month now, and I feel like we've had leaps and bounds. Yeah, we've done a lot. We couldn't figure out the distance of the mic, the volume. It was a bit messy, but it was fun.

SPEAKER_00 0:48

Absolutely. And all thanks to our team here at Voci. Yes. Doing the work, really helping us out here and getting us all organized and setting us up. So I hope you guys enjoy it.

SPEAKER_01 0:57

Moms, families, grandparents, anyone who is a digital guardian, please listen. Give us grace. It gets better. We're having fun regardless. All right. We hope you enjoyed. This is mom's off mute, our pilot episode.

SPEAKER_00 1:14

Oh my gosh. Yes. That's so cute.

SPEAKER_01 1:25

All right. We are officially recording. Um. Oh boy. Yeah, see, why are we here? Let's start there. Who, who are we? Why are we here?

SPEAKER_00 1:35

All right. Throw the mic over here. We are Family Online Safety Institute. I don't think they can hear you in the back. You can't hear me in the back, the cheap seats. This is Family Online Safety Institute, where we are here talking about online safety for our families.

SPEAKER_01 1:51

That's what our job. That's our mission statement. What are you and I here to talk about? I uh I was told to be here. So that's why I'm here. We have no choice. We have no choice. I told our founder and CEO that our first episode, we would throw him right under the bus. Safely, though, and say we are required to do this for the next, what did he say, 13 years? Oh my god. Yes. Serious? Yes. Until we no longer have like children, kids, teens. Yes. Then we're disposable because we're moms. Then we have no use to society. Once our children turn 18. Uh, that got very dark very quickly. Um I am does it matter though. Uh maybe let's go, let's go back to online safety. We are the Family Online Safety Institute. I am Jordan. This is Yassi. And we are demoing our first podcast episode for Fossi. I have a four-year-old and a three-year-old.

SPEAKER_00 3:08

And I have a four-year-old, sweet boy, almost five next month. God bless you. Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_01 3:13

That I I can't talk about it. That's the aging process. I I think a good way for us to start is like, how did we get here? Like, why a podcast for FOSI?

SPEAKER_00 3:29

I think even so we can be able to talk through things that everyday parents are kind of going through. Yeah. And helping to relate to them and kind of giving them some navigation on these topics. Maybe. I don't know. Let's see.

SPEAKER_01 3:41

Well, I don't have a PhD, so I'm not navigating anyone. I'm just seeing parenting, I guess. I listen, I I have a doctorate, an MD. I've earned all the degrees. Once you survive two under two. I don't know how you did that. I I think anyone who's like, I've been shot, I'm like, cool. I had two under two as a solo parent. What what?

SPEAKER_00 4:09

But let's not diminish trauma that some people expect.

SPEAKER_01 4:12

No, no, no. Definitely don't get shot. But I'm I'm saying that, like, you know, it's a beautiful experience.

SPEAKER_00 4:19

The first time you told me that you were having your second, Ellie, I was shocked.

SPEAKER_01 4:25

You weren't the only one.

SPEAKER_00 4:26

I was like, girl, are you okay?

SPEAKER_01 4:28

I asked me counseling to see credentials of the person reading the sonogram because I was like, it's not happening. Yes. Did it? Yes. But sonograms. I did not think of this as digital safety until working at FOSI. Really? You know how people like record their sonograms, they put it on their story and stuff. Yeah, but there's like personal information around it too. Yeah. Like people don't blur it out. But even if you do, if you think about this, this is like people are putting their internal organs on social media. Not like think of the people who don't have a private privacy page. Like they're like, as content creators or just as a normal person, I am going to show you what's going on on my insides every time I go.

SPEAKER_00 5:24

Like I just feel like. But what are you gonna do with that information on the other side? What is somebody in the public gonna do with whatever's going on internal? I don't know, but I think weird.

SPEAKER_01 5:34

But people are do weird things on the internet. So like we probably shouldn't give strange strangers, maybe let's call them that.

SPEAKER_00 5:44

My biggest concern is your full legal name and your date of birth that's on there, and then your patient file number, generally speaking, and your due date. Those are some really sensitive things that are on a sonogram.

SPEAKER_01 5:55

Well, that's true, but like also, why does like somebody's neighbors, friends, doctor's mom, sister need to see my sonogram, you know?

SPEAKER_00 6:05

I just feel like some things should just be kept private. Why not?

SPEAKER_01 6:08

We don't need to post everything on social. I think we should pose the question for our future listeners once they get past 10 or future subscribers. They're not future. We have 10 right now. We have a committed 10.

SPEAKER_00 6:22

I don't know about that.

SPEAKER_01 6:23

I listen, my mom's a hundred percent herself, and then she multiplies by 10. So always.

SPEAKER_00 6:30

I might tell my mom about this, but then she's gonna give me so many notes after. Of course she is.

SPEAKER_01 6:35

What what are moms for? Oh my god. Um, what was I saying? I just I think the other thing for me is that like I think about this, right? And like if this were the bloom of a decade, because my age is nobody's business when I was born, there was not Instagram. So I can give that away. Great dang. I know, right? A great time. But like my mom introduces herself and then when I'm around, she shares my birth story. Yeah. Yes, like automat oh yes, you know, you know my butt like why? Why is that something in a professional or even a personal setting that people need to know how I came into the world? Sharing the story. There you go. But I don't need that on a platform worth of millions of people. So, like X number of years from now, my kids are like, Hey, what did you share about me? Why am I in your tummy on Instagram and I'm an adult?

SPEAKER_00 7:43

Like, this is that's weird, right? At what point is it too much that we're sharing on social media? And what is the line for some people that they're like, I'm not gonna cross that? But like, why are you sharing it there?

SPEAKER_01 7:57

Like, what is preventing you from like opening the group chat? Do you not have a group chat? Because I've got like I don't have 20 of that.

SPEAKER_00 8:06

Maybe it is loneliness, maybe it is isolation. That's uh you know, some people don't quite have their network. You know, you're blessed with having multiple group chats, maybe some people don't have that open to them. That's fair, and social media is that channel, but also keep yourself private. You know, you don't want some random person to look at your stuff and you don't know who they are. That's fair.

SPEAKER_01 8:28

So, like let's talk about what could be the benefits of someone sharing their sonogram. Connection. That's fair.

SPEAKER_00 8:39

I mean, that's the whole purpose of social media in general. Yeah, it's to connect a lonely world together. I miss those days when you would have, you know, like I mean it's still have them, sport leagues and whatnot, and people get together and they play. I mean, I had that in yoga as a yoga teacher in my community. I get together with my people in classes and everything. Not everybody has that. And it's pretty sad that we've kind of disconnected. In my other group chat that I have with my good girlfriends, you know, it's oftentimes brought up that DC is a very lonely city.

SPEAKER_01 9:09

We're supposed uh supposedly the loneliest city. So sad. Which is very sad because I feel like I see like people all the time, but you're right. Like we, I don't know, is it busyness? Is it uh we can't blame technology for everything. We are responsible for what we use and stuff.

SPEAKER_00 9:27

You can put it down, you can disconnect, and you can go out into nature and you know, make a friend, go talk to somebody.

SPEAKER_01 9:35

I haven't been on Instagram since April 2024. I know. I'm so impressed by you. I'm I'm starting to get a twitch. I'm not gonna lie. I like I I'm curious. I want to know things, but you know what I do instead? I pick up the phone. I love that. I do. I'm like, huh. I love chatting on the phone. I wonder what my friend from such and such is doing, you know?

SPEAKER_00 9:58

I honestly want to close my Instagram, but I don't because of my wellness business. I just, it's my way of connecting with people and with my family overseas. That's fair. Otherwise, I would a hundred percent close out my social media. That's a good point.

SPEAKER_01 10:10

I will say social media is a huge point for families who have been separated by a number of things, right? I mean, there's so many different connections, like Ancestry.com and like learning all of your cousins. And then, like, you don't want to chat with them. I don't think you can chat with them on Ancestry.com, but you can like follow them on social media and stuff. Yeah. And then it's also like it's so many people now that you have so much more than just your core circle to connect with. I mean, I think that's the part that's also very overwhelming. Like, how do you talk to and actually form a deep connection with these hundreds of people that you've met in your life that like you like care about that person that you had science class that one time with, and like that's nice.

SPEAKER_00 11:03

But like I mean, that's kind of how you and I reconnected because that's super true. Listen, back together again.

SPEAKER_01 11:09

You shared your personal story, and I was like, hey, uh, haven't talked to you in a while, but like, don't die, you know. I just remember that. It was like, I I care enough to say that, like, hey, I see, like, you know, you've gotten married, you have this beautiful life, you have a child now, like, very cute.

SPEAKER_00 11:31

In another part of the world. And then we were getting together for brunches. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 11:35

I literally was like, hey, you have this beautiful life, don't die. So let's hang out. Love you. And it was so nice, but we don't talk on social media anymore. So maybe we know like as it's a catalyst. As a mom society, because moms get done. Let's be honest. We should make a mom effort to say we reconnect on social media. We do light-hearted check-ins on social media, look at interior design, cats, puppy videos. But if we're gonna share sonograms, let's do that in the group chat. I agree. And like keep each other connected that way, you know, reconnect and then find other ways when we're talking about like text each other. That's still technology.

SPEAKER_00 12:25

A high touch and a light touch that you should really be observing with social media.

SPEAKER_01 12:29

We should put like a connection pyramid together for how to connect to avoid loneliness. Yes. And we should start in DC because how dare you?

SPEAKER_00 12:42

Like, why are we so lonely? That's sad. I mean, what? Springtime, summertime, fall time is and winter, let's be honest. All the seasons.

SPEAKER_01 12:50

I'm one of the weirdos that likes to walk on the mall to see other people having a good time. Like those group sports. Well, hold up. When was the last time you did that? When it was warm outside, but yeah, exactly. And we actually our office was closer. I mean that's true. Uh I guess I'm not. No, I'm not walking. I'm gonna be honest with myself. I'm not walking. Farragut over here. Like I could do that. I can walk over. I mean, I don't need to go, I can look out my window, but I need to for the connection. Get it going. Yes, why not? I mean, make sense. Go to a food truck or something. Yes. I'm gonna get a t-shirt that says avoiding loneliness, speak to me, and maybe that will help. I'm gonna hold you to it. I social experiment. Let's see if we can get it in the budget. Nonprofit. Yes. Super fancy shirt. So the lesson here is let's share, encourage people, because we don't want to discourage people who love to share sonograms. Like, share it. Because, like, honestly, fun nugget, super helpful for me because I was like, what am I supposed to be looking for? Yeah. And I didn't want to share that with my doctor or the nurse because like I didn't want to sound unintelligent at the doctor. I didn't. So, like, where did I look? I looked on Instagram. Yeah. And put in sonogram, and there's a whole bunch of women sharing, like, hey, I didn't know what I was supposed to be looking for, never had a baby before. So, like, this is a head, sis. And I'm like, thank you. No, you got Chat GPT to literally I don't want to talk about him. You got no all the AI. Listen, Chatty is a he. We're gonna throw throw that out there.

SPEAKER_00 14:34

You can change the tone. Anyways, I digress. That's another topic. I uh yes, we'll talk about AI and all of its connect and to learn things. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:44

Yeah, I totally agree. 100%. I I I learned a lot. Yeah. But like I don't know these people. So, like, is that a trusted source? What if that was not really a baby's head?

SPEAKER_00 14:55

Although it could be a doctor that's on the other side giving you That's very fair. But why don't I trust my doctor enough to ask these questions? Because you're skeptical and you know better in this day and age with healthcare. But like, how see, people are like, why are you so lonely?

SPEAKER_01 15:11

I can't trust my doctor, but I should, you know. I should. Growing up, I love my pediatrician. There was he was like family. He's still working. Is he your pediatrician still? Well, no, I'm no longer a child.

SPEAKER_00 15:26

So no, I don't sing him. Uh too if you trust him, girl. Don't you remember Ross from Friends still seeing his pediatrician at like age whatever, 30 he was?

SPEAKER_01 15:35

I don't want to talk about friends. I'm gonna be judged by the people listening to this podcast. I have actually never seen the full stop. I know. Woo! Felsey after dark conversation. I know. Wait, are you telling me we're gonna have two different podcasts? Sure. Stop. For the moms that are like, hey, my kids don't listen to you guys. So this is my like, you know, this is this podcast is for the car ride to school. And then when you're in the car by yourself going back home or to work or finally to the grocery store, they can listen to Fossey after dark. That's hilarious. Screen screen the queen after dark. Let's give it six months. Do you want it?

SPEAKER_00 16:16

Maybe you're a tough listener. You don't want that. I don't know. I agree with you. I mean, do you miss the I personally miss the days. I mean, you can walk down the street and just smile and say hello. I still do. I do too. And if people don't speak, oh well, that's their problem. If I make eye contact with you, you're getting a smile, potentially a hello, or I don't know, some other comment, like, hope you're doing well. I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 16:39

It would be very strange if like I walk down the street with a picture of my sonogram and with just smiling. You know what I'm saying? Like all in a picture frame, filter because people put filters on their sonograms. Really? I I've seen it all. Girl, I need to know what you're looking at because I have to do it. I can't show you. You know why? Because I'm not on Instagram. There we go. Not that there's anything wrong with you, moms, or whoever else is listening. I'm saying moms because be cautious of what you put online. You know, I I mom squad. I want to support you. I want to love you all. I don't like the mom shaming. So I'm not gonna shame you for putting your sonogram on Instagram. I just personally want to know out of curiosity for the moms that do do it. And it's just like what is the reason? Actively thinking about like consciously I'm gonna put it on there, not like, oh my God, I'm so sorry, excited. The first thing that I do is put this on Instagram. Why was that the first thing that you did? And not be like, hey, partner, look at this baby we got, or like, hey, mom, look at this baby we got, or do you not have that network?

SPEAKER_00 17:54

Or maybe they feel like if their partner and moms or whatever family is on social media, on Instagram, maybe they're thinking a one shared and done kind of thing. Fair enough. Fair enough. It's possible.

SPEAKER_01 18:07

If I can walk down the street with a blown-up picture of a sonogram and people will smile back and high-five me, then that's the energy that I want on Instagram. But let's be honest. But it's not. No one's doing that. They're gonna look at you like you're psycho. But that's why we need this pyramid of connection, of how to connect. Do you remember the time when people used to post photos of their boots, their meals? What do you mean, remember the time? People are still doing it, and it's driving me nuts because, first of all, there's a lot of people who are not content creators posting food, no restaurant, no chef. What if I wanted a bite? Yeah. You know what I'm saying? I've just like had the best meal in DC. I love this city, can't wait to come back. Sis, when was this? Where was this? Tell me details. Give me information.

SPEAKER_00 19:00

And now I'm hungry with no references. It's a little rude. And it doesn't take into account any food insecurities that people may be facing and they're on social media. Same. Huh? Currently raising hands. Yes. Honestly. One day, or I think it was, I want to say in September or whatever, we had that beautiful spread from one of our Briefs the Hill uh conferences. Whoa.

SPEAKER_01 19:24

I wanted to share that and was like, wait. Shout out to my Pittsburghers meat and cheese plate, man. Oh, that was it? Yeah. Well, I'm just saying, I used to say charcuterie plate being from the DMV. And then I lived in Pittsburgh, and the Yenzers were like, girl, that's meat and cheese plate. And I was like, I like the simplicity of this. Wait, charcuterie plate. Yeah, like what? I'm not friends. Why are we pretentious? There you go. He's bored. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 19:52

It was beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 19:53

But then nobody had a word for fiance, which like I kind of tried. It didn't work.

SPEAKER_00 19:58

Funny thing if you take out that accent fiance. Fiance? Take off the accent. Oh no, that's a random tangent that I always think about.

SPEAKER_01 20:06

Someone told me your fiance and finance needs to align. And I was like, I love that. I love that a lot. Not that people need to get married for money or for see financial security. I'm just throwing that out there. Together before you make a union. Yes. And don't share that on social media either. Let's save that for another episode.

SPEAKER_00 20:31

Are you sharing your social media or sorry, your social security number? No. No.

SPEAKER_01 20:37

People are showing their address and stuff. Your tax returns? People are like literally like I paid my taxes. Let me put this on Instagram. Show your insights, your uterus. Bro, I don't know. I'm just throwing that out there in X decade when I was born. Thank God that no one was like, let me show a whole bunch of people that I don't know what I look like. What a simpler time. Before I took my first breath.

SPEAKER_00 21:06

My curfew back then was when the streetlights come on when you go home.

SPEAKER_01 21:11

I love that for you. I that wasn't mine. In the summer. I better be in the house before the lights came on. And that was stressful because it's just like you have no idea.

SPEAKER_00 21:23

You're like, you actually became really good at telling what time it was by looking at the sky.

SPEAKER_01 21:28

Yeah, it was like, okay, guys, I'm hungry. Like you're making up stuff because you don't want to be the first kid that's gotta go home. Oh goodness. Yep. Good times. Oh, those are good days. All right, so wrapping up here.

SPEAKER_00 21:44

Yeah, we chatted for a bit. This is be selective on what you post on social media. Yes. But also share with us. If you are one of those people that like to share your sonograms or whatever, why? Share with us. We would Love to learn from you and learn a different perspective.

SPEAKER_01 22:03

And I'm gonna close this by saying this is our unprofessional opinion, our professional mom opinion. And we just so happen to work at the Family Online Safety Institute. But our thoughts. All right, we will talk to you all later. I hope you like our theme song. See you later. This podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, including medical, mental health, or legal guidance. The views expressed by hosts and or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Family Online Safety Institute, otherwise known as FOSI. Guest contributions are based on personal experience and are not intended as professional guidance. Any mention of products, services, organizations, or tools is for discussion purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the Family Online Safety Institute.