Do you think the anxiety behind putting children’s names on things has changed in recent years?

Question

I remember growing up (born in ‘97) that our parents were told to not put our names on our backpacks or other things visible to strangers because predators could use that as a way to familiarize themselves with the child. 
In recent years, especially after becoming a mother myself, I’ve noticed we’ve kinda stopped doing that. I see a lot of customized clothing, jewelry, pacifiers & other things that have the child’s name on it. I know it’s not really the same for newborns because the baby can’t be like “oh they know my name so let’s go with them”. I’m talking about with toddlers & older children. 
Do you think that way of thinking has kind of shifted? Is that something we don’t worry about anymore? What are your thoughts?

Answer

I don’t have anxiety over it. I just understand the basic concept of stranger danger.
We tell our kids. Don’t tell strangers your name, school, sports teams, etc. Don’t offer information that can identify you. 
Yet we blast it all on our minivans and online and on cute t-shirts. 
I try not to share information that identifies where I work, where my husband works, what area of our city we live in, where my children frequent, etc.

Answer

I think the trend has just died out. Parents let their kids put God knows what all over the internet these days so I can't imagine the reason behind it is fear of predators.

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I haven’t noticed. I was born in the early 80s and names used to be on everything at one point. These days it seems rare. 
I wouldn’t do it. We label things that may go to daycare, but it’s not obvious.

Answer

I think people are also more aware that strangers aren't the biggest danger. Most cases of child abuse/abduction is perpetrated by people the kids and/or parents know. 
Strangers make up such a small percentage that this isnt likely to make a difference either way.

Answer

I can’t say I’ve noticed lots of names on kids things and personally I won’t do it for my kid. There’s no need for a stranger to know his name.

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Genuine question, I’m in the UK and we don’t seem to have anywhere near the paranoia Americans do about strangers/ kidnappings/ pedophiles etc. It seems to dominate people’s live over there. I’ve never given a second thought to putting a name on my child’s things, so she doesn’t lose it at nursery.

Answer

I think I would do initials instead of his full name.

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I didn’t have my name on things (besides what was in my bedroom) and I was born in 1992. 
Oh, I take that back. My high school letterman’s jacket, but haven’t letterman’s jackets been around for years?

Answer

I didn't even think about that but that's a good point. Obviously my children are never gonna be left alone in a place where they could have a chance to take my babies but at somewhere like school, you should always tell the people at the school your child is not to be alone or talked to with by anyone without first calling me or their father. For me, they'll be told they aren't to go with anyone that's not on the pick up list or unless I call and say it's okay first. Also, my girls will be taught to never go with anyone that they do not know, regardless about how much those people seem to know about them. Period but yes, I think it's always good to take extra precaution so no, my girls names will not be on anything that someone could use to deceive them

Answer

I would have clicked yes as I thought it got worse.
Nowadays we hear more due to media abt child abductions and such...
My kids have no personalized items...except name tags for school inside clothes...i’m very paranoid abt these things

Do you think the anxiety behind putting children’s names on things has changed in recent years?

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