Thursday, August 23, 2007
Beginning Your Digital Identity at Birth
byNaming a child is challenging. You must avoid names already taken by family members and friends. You must find a name that’s liked by you and your spouse or partner. You should steer clear of potentially-embarrassing rhymes, initials or nicknames.
Now a new naming consideration has emerged, according to an AP story: Is an Internet domain name available for the child?
The story highlights parents who evaluated potential baby names by whether the domain name (deanfroslie.com, for example) was available or taken. Some parents have registered the domain before the newborn even leaves the hospital.
The rationale: An easy-to-remember personal domain name is a key piece of one’s digital identity, and the domain could be taken before the child is old enough to use it. The story notes that the domain for Britney Spears’ baby boy was scooped up before she could purchase it.
Others disregard the importance of purchasing a child’s domain name, since the tools and systems we use will undoubtedly change as the child grows up.
In addition to purchasing domains, parents are also claiming e-mail addresses for their kids using Hotmail or Gmail.
This domain name frenzy seems excessive, but the story persuaded me: As of yesterday, the “.com” domain name for my five-month-old is locked up.
