I kept a diary one two occasions. Once in 5th grade, once in 8th grade, and that was it. I actually just remembered this. Would I mind if someone read it, not at all. As a kid, especially coming from the family I do, I never wrote about "my mom made me clean my room! What a b*tch!" it was more like I was saying how I felt, and how whenever I was at home, I was lonely. It was around the time when depression started to hit from abuse and what not. I always had a great social life, so there are details of parties and these two boys I was falling all over myself in front of. I mean, my first "real" kiss was documented in my 8th grade journal. I am not ashamed. Especially since all of the dramatics were spared. I have a nice mind as a child, and I am just sorry that I felt the way I did at such a young age.

Now, if I wrote a diary I would not mind them being read if I passed away, or even if someone found it. I don't have one, but if I did, I know I wouldn't feel offended if my boyfriend read it, or my family read it. It's life, and I think it's interesting to get inside someone's mind a little bit.

I kept a "Dear Diary" when I was 16 years old. I recently read it. I expected it to be all about my academics, sports, clubs, ha! It was all about boys and clothes. I was surprised.

i have never kept a diary but i don't think i'd want anyone to read it if i did

No, when I write in my diary, I'm sorting out an issue for myself. It's like a tool. Also, it's a private ritual, not something for someone to read.

Incidentally, because it's private, I don't keep a conventional diary anymore. I have a different process.

i remember i kept a diary when i was in year 5/6 so about 10/11..... nothing interesting, more about what i had for tea, what had happened at school etc and that once my mum wouldn't let me get popcorn from the cinema as it was too expensive.

one story i did write about was having a crush on a boy..... my sister found my diary and read it writing little comments about my anecdotes in the margin like an annotation!

"so who doesn't ♥ peter" was the one i was devastated over as i knew she'd tease me about it for a good while as i'd denied it to her for ages! hehe x

i think farah fawcetts diaries will be interesting. i'm sure she wrote them also thinking in the back of her mind they may well be found and published and help other people through her ordeal.

Available for the public to read? No. However maybe years from now, if a loved one/close friend felt they needed to know me better, I would let them. My diary is a place for me to vent and have random chatter. I find it amusing to read my very old diary (from age 12-13.) Oh the tween ramblings in that one!

my boyfriend and i both journal from time to time, and he once read me some passages from his. about the time that we met and us developing our relationship, and just other things that gave me really wonderful insight into who he is. it was a very special thing. i dont think he would want them published. mine vary by topic; some would be ok to get out there

I've kept a diary since third grade (I'm now going on 22). I would love to pass my diaries down to my future daughters/granddaughers once they reach a certain age. I think it would be neat.

I've had a diary since I was 14, but I don't write diary entries every day. I just write when something big or scary or amazing, etc. happens to me, so I probably wouldn't want anyone to read my diary at all.

I don't keep one anymore, but occasionally I think about burning them so that no one will ever be able to read them.

I don't write much anymore, but when I did I wrote the things I couldn't tell anyone, but often wished I could. I'd be curious to know if anyone would be surprised by some of the things I've written. There are older things I'd be willing to share because they are so far in the past. I'm still sensitive about certain things. To answer the question: when I'm too far gone to care.