One-week limit to edit posts

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I'm sure this has been said before, but I haven't seen much written on the topic.

I find it challenging that I cannot edit posts on a support forum, for a number of reasons. Primarily I'm worried about confidentiality. Being that we are limited to a single account, it stands that it is effectively impossible for persons like myself to use this site for support. Anyone who knows me could easily learn who I am by going through my post history, and being that I know persons who use this site in my real life, the inability to retire or edit posts prevents me from sharing in a meaningful way.

It seems contrary to the purpose of a support group, to be told that I must take dreadful caution before speaking, as it will be neatly kept and archived on the site for the rest of my life. As stated here, " Think before you post. Once you have disclosed personal information on this or on any other internet forum it is too late go back." This policy does not seem to be in-line with a safe space.

I do realize that it is technically possible for anyone to find your history on the Internet, in a manner of speaking, if they are of the persuasion to do a concerted Internet search. But that is certainly not the same as an open invitation to read every good, bad, or painful moment someone has ever shared here. WrongPlanet has a real and serious obligation to protect its members, many of whom come at the most difficult times of their lives to share things they cannot share others face-to-face,

As someone involved with Asperger's in my work life I, of course, have referred to WrongPlanet as a source for persons to get through difficult experiences they cannot talk about with their friends. I realize that I cannot do so here without opening up to them every painful moment of my life I may share here. My partner has begun posting here, as well, and I'm aware that he now has access to the support I received in regards to him, at a time when we had almost broken up. I truly hope that he does not.

WrongPlanet asks us to come and share our most sensitive issues. We're invited to share about intimate details of our lives such as mental illness, sexual problems, our relationships with our friends and family, and even suicide. The inability to be anonymous, combined with a post deletion policy which states that, "since we can only (edit or delete posts one) at a time, don't expect us to edit more than a couple of your posts," I can only feel confused and more than slightly betrayed to have told I can find support here in the first place.

First, you have a full week to edit your posts. That seems more than enough for anyone.

Second, it is true on any social website that once you have disclosed personal information it is already "out there", which places the onus upon you to determine how much personal information to disclose.

Third, while the mods of WrongPlanet can act against any trolls who harass you for what you may post (which is as far as their obligation goes), they can not follow you around and edit each and every one of your posts to delete personal information.

Fourth, anonymity is not guaranteed on this website. Even those who use Tor, 10-minute email addresses, and various other methods to inhibit tracing back to their home IPs share some risk in having a determined "hacker" stalk them electronically and learn everything about them.

Finally, if you have disclosed personal information of your own free will, then no one has betrayed you - as I said, it's already "out there" as soon as you post it, so if you don't want something known, then don't post it - plain and simple. The responsibility is yours, and yours alone.

But if you want support, then you will have to determine for yourself what to disclose and to whom - the more that you disclose, the more support you are likely to receive; but it is also more likely that someone may eventually use what you've disclosed to your disadvantage - that's just how people are.

So, don't blame Alex, the mods, or any other members when you divulge too much information - if you don't want your secrets known, then simply don't reveal them.

That's just common sense.