We have a lot of things to be thankful for this year. On the tech front, it’s time to praise the people behind the uber smart and ultra small Flip video camera. Finally, someone created a palm-sized camcorder with easy-to-use features (i.e. one red button records and stops), good video quality (including high definition on some models), and a price that’s right (approx. $170 at Future Shop). Yes, the Flip is a must-have for any mom or dad (I carry mine around in my purse to capture those moments when my 10-month-old son has a laugh attack or discovers a new part of his body). Once you start shooting family videos you’ll quickly realize that they’re too big to email, so, how do you share them in a safe way on the web?
If you’ve ever checked out the comments on a YouTube video, you’ll often notice the trolls that lurk about (you know those people who write things like, “You suck,” "That's lame," and “Your momma’s ugly”). As a result, the number one video sharing site in the world probably seems like the last place you'd want to plant your prized family moments. However, there are a couple of simple ways to make YouTube, which is free to use, work for you.
1. Keep your videos private
When you upload a video to YouTube, click the Edit option on that specific video and then go to the “Broadcasting and Sharing Options” settings. Under “Privacy” click “Private.” This means that up to 25 people can view this video via a limited access URL that you need to copy (under the “Limited Access URL” heading) and past into an email. Now you control who will see this video.
2. Control your videos’ comments
If you decide that you’re OK with anyone seeing your video, you can manage the comments attached to this video. There are a couple of options on this front. You can choose to not allow comments at all or you can choose to allow all comments with approval only. You can find all of these options within the Comments section after you click the Edit option on a specific video.
Once you dive into the world of online video, you’ll realize that there are endless options available to customize your channel and share your videos with the world. With the tips above, you can also ensure your family’s privacy. Happy shooting!
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