Why the aversion to posting age & location?

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Why do so many people have such an aversion to posting their actual age (birthday) and true geographical location? Is it a need for more space for self-expression by the avatar, some sort of paranoid need for secrecy, a desired disconnect between this (virtual) world and the real world, or something else altogether?

Kudos to Tim for...um "keeping it real". One of my coworkers says that all the time...but I feel that here it actually applies. There's nothing real for me about lowering a car and putting loud speakers in it. (Tangent alert! I'm easily side-tracked.)

How was I keeping it real?

I can explain my reason to you for disclosing/hiding certain information from WP:

I put my age there and narrowed my place of residence, as I want people to stop a) asking for my age or b) stop assuming I'm in the US. I also find it helpful for some topics that specifically refer to location or living situation.

I also do not mind being (almost) 20 and find this age to be of no less value than any other age.

I was wondering about negative interpretation of this information too of course.

I asked myself whether someone else might discard my post based on my age? - that's why I waited some until I put it up. Or whether someone else might assume something about my cultural/linguistic background based on the exacts of my place of residence. They'll be likely wrong, unless they can read my mind and know my family history.

Since the chance that I will life near another user on WP is extraordinarily slim, I gain nothing from informing others of the exacts of my location with each post.

Internet Safety teaches you to be careful about letting people know too much about you. I think we've been told so many times not to divulge too much information that we've taken it to heart.

I'm 40 and live in Ottawa, Ontario....

I'm not scared to let people know how old I am or in what city/state I live. I doubt people will be able to find me.

My age is not listed, because you have to fill in a birthday; that is against my personal internet safety rules.

My location is only on country-level. I keep it like that for the time being. In some topic I mentioned the province where I live, but I do not want to be to trackable. My strong assumption about me being an Aspie is not something I like to share with too much people.

But a country listed with everyone would be nice. Sometimes you want to know more about their living situation, to make a good suggestion. Especially when people are from the same country, than you can share practical hints regarding local laws etc.

Because it won't let you just enter the year, which I wanted to do. It makes you put your entire birthdate, and with all the idenity theft and all that out there, the less personal the better.
(No, I'm not accusing antone of trying to steal my idenity. But still.)
I would have no problem with it showing just my age, but that's not an option.
Location wise, I was specific enough. If you're from this area, you know where I mean. If you're not, it's more specific than just a city name.

33, Southeast Teaxs.

And you have to put in your exact birthday, why? You can get it close and not have it exact.

I wonder how many were born on the same day, month and year I was. Now the older I get the less there are with this date. I might start to worry when I hit a hundred, I might be trackable then. Shheezus christmas, think!! Oh yeah, if I really think I'm going to hit a hundred, I best start doing a little myself.

There other trackers that you might better worry about other then putting your birthday down. If you're really really young then I'd be more concerned. If you're that young, your parents better be looking over your shoulder where ever you are on the net, or anywhere else for that matter.

Postpaleo, I want to track down your boojums.