Social media is the most commonly used form of media in the World today. For communication, news sharing, media sharing, marketing and sales and so many more, different people turn to social media to get everything done.
There are also people that use social media to express themselves or send out different messages to the entire World.
However much it is one of the most exciting and fun experience, it can also turn into the worst nightmare for a person if they do not play safe on social media. Social media, despite having a lot of entertaining content and very nice people, it also has very many scary people who could do harm to others.
If you are looking for the best way to protect yourself from predators online, dive deep with me into the social media Dos and Don’ts that can ensure your safety online. What better to have fun than to be safe, right?
Social media safety is encompassed under online Safety. Simply defined, online safety refers to the act of staying safe online, be it on any network or via any form of technology one wants to use. It encompasses all technological devices which have access to the internet from PCs and laptops to smartphones and tablets. It is also commonly known as internet safety, e-safety and cyber safety.
To be safe online, individuals need to protect themselves and others from online harms and risks which may jeopardize their personal information, lead to unsafe communications or even effect their physical or mental health and wellbeing.
Here are a few threats that you can face on the internet and jeopardize your safety;
cyberbullying
This is also known as bullying using digital technology. Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person and this can be done by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature to a social media user.
Invasion of privacy.
Invasion of Privacy the intrusion into the personal life of another, without just cause, which can threaten the life of a social media user or even make them feel uncomfortable. When a person’s privacy is threatened, it gives the person whose privacy has been invaded a right to bring a lawsuit for damages against the person that has intruded.
Identity theft.
Identity theft is the fraudulent practice of using another person’s name and personal information in order to obtain one’s own benefits for example credit, loans and many more.
Children seeing offensive images and messages.
Some people on the internet have no idea that they are in touch with children hence they end up involving them in illicit conversations and also sending them offensive pictures which they should not be witnessing at such a tender age.
For Internet safety, these are the Do’s and Dont’s that you must follow;
The Do’s
Know how to report, block, and filter social media users and content.
In order to be safe on social media,, you need to know how to filter which social media users get in touch with you via your social media. Avoid accepting every friend request on social sites like Facebook because that will give access to the wrong people that could threaten your safety online.
As a social media user, you also need to know how to filter the content you see. Avoid taking in all the content that is sent to you by internet users. It is also advisable that you only open content from users that you know and trust rather than opening content from any user.
Remember to also report harmful comments or content, and block those who are attempting to use social media to hurt you because they could also be doing it to others so let it stop with you.
Personalize your privacy settings.
Always adjust your privacy settings on every social media site that you are using to your comfort level and always remember to select options that limit who can view your information, most especially your personal information.
When you personalize your privacy settings, it limits the amount of people that have access to your private information hence you can not be harmed and no one can use that information against you since it is unavailable to the public.
Always do a social media privacy check-up.
Once you have updated and gone through the privacy settings in your social media accounts, set a reminder on your calendar to revisit them in like a period of three to six months.
The essence of this is that social media sites may change policies or update their platforms which could affect how you would like to share your information online. There is need therefore to always go back and ensure you are still comfortable with the privacy settings on your social media handles.
Pause before you post.
Many people post their content online without thinking twice, something that has cost them a lot.. Before you post, ask yourself if you are comfortable sharing the kind of content or information with everyone who might see it online.
Do take a moment to reflect on whether you would like this content to be viewed by the whole World out there.
Content that contains personal information or your whereabouts could pose a huge safety risk so you would like to reconsider before putting up such information.
It is better to stop and think about whether to post certain information rather than relying on the delete button because even content that is deleted can sometimes be accessed by the website or through screenshots of the original post and could be used maliciously.
Use a private Internet connection.
There is nothing that beats free Wi-Fi, right? However convenient and satisfactory public Internet connection may be, it does come with a few consequences as well. A lot of information including passwords could be obtained from the use of Free Internet, something that could cost you a lot afterwards.
Avoid public Wi-Fi connections, like those offered at coffee shops or airports, when using a website that asks for a password. You can also take the initiative to limit your social media usage to personal or private Wi-Fi networks, while using cellular data on your phone, or under the protection of a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Talk to your friends about public posts
The threat could not be only on your side but also your friends’ side. Sometimes you may find yourself being careful with your personal information and withholding it from social media sites but finding it posted online by your friends as they may tag you in different posts.
Let your friends know where you stand on sharing content that may include personally identifying information, like your location, school, job, or a photo of you or your home. Respect each other’s wishes about deleting posts that may be embarrassing or uncomfortable for each other because this itself is protection for you and your friends via social media.
Always ask permission before you post something about another person, whether it mentions them indirectly, by name, or in a picture. In cases where you find yourself tagged on a friend’s post, you can change your settings so that tagged photos of you will only appear on your profile but won’t be shared publicly on your timeline if you have approved the post on social media accounts.
Get the latest anti-virus and firewall software.
The best way to protect yourself online is to keep an updated version of anti-virus and firewall software. Always download updates regularly to make sure you’re protected against any new online threats since threats keep coming up online and they are also quite as updated as the protection measures.
Report harassment or inappropriate content.
Very many people are victims of online harassment and they receive a lot of inappropriate content. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable online, you can report the interaction to the host site, often anonymously.
You can always use the “report” button and flag a post as inappropriate, or submit a screenshot of the interaction directly to the host site. If you do experience harassment or abuse through social media, consider taking screenshots immediately and saving them in case the content is deleted or removed from your view.
Look before you click.
When it comes to social media, do not just click everything that shows up on your screen. Always take time to have a critical look at everything that pops up on your screen. Even if you get a suspicious sounding message or link from a friend through social media, it’s best not to automatically click it.
Your friend’s account may have been hacked, which could cause everyone in their contacts list to receive spam. If you’re not sure it’s spam, try contacting that person in another way to ask if they meant to send you a link recently.
The Don’ts .
Don’t Let your Child use the Internet Unmonitored.
It is not only the adults that face threats online or on social media. There are social media sites that do not have an age restriction and you find that even children below the age of 17 have accounts on a few social media sites.
Always endeavor to take part in the way children use social media and never let them use it unmonitored. Keep an eye on them to ensure their safety as well. You should also encourage them not to get into any online discussions about sex as these tend to attract potentially dangerous users
Don’t turn on your location.
Many social media sites or apps will request to access your location, but in most cases this isn’t even necessary. You can still get the most out of your social media experience without sharing where you are while you’re there. If sharing where you are is important to you, refrain from tagging the location until you leave that particular location.
In addition to this, some sites may automatically make geotagged information public. When you “check in” on Facebook, update your Instagram story, or add a geotag to a Snapchat, these sites may share your exact location with people you may or may not trust with it. Take a look at the privacy settings on the sites listed above, or others you use regularly, to see what your location settings are and do consider updating them.
Don’t use weak Passwords.
It is advisable to use a password strong enough not to be guessed by people who would like to harm you. Passwords that combine letters and numbers are generally harder to guess As you cook up a strong password however, ensure you have an attachment to it that it will be easy for you to recall it without having to write it down somewhere. Writing down a password could also attract potential threats as someone could come across it and use it for their own benefit.
This can help protect against someone who may be trying to sign on to your account for negative reasons like posting spam, impersonating you, or stalking. In addition to choosing strong passwords and updating them, remember to keep your passwords in a secure location.
Also remember to use a different password to the one you use for other services. It is also advisable to change your password on a regular basis, for instance you can change your password every month.
Don’t share your password
No social media site user has the right to ask you for your password so no one will ever ask you for your password. If you receive a call or email from someone claiming to be from any company, ignore it and keep your log in information safe and secure. In addition to that, don’t let your browser remember your log in details. It’s much safer to re-enter your details every time you log in, even if it takes slightly longer.
Walter Dill Scott
“The future of the safety movement is not so much dependent upon the invention of safety devices as on the improvement of methods of educating people to the ideal of caution and safety.”
To keep yourself safe on social media, read the social media rules as well for better understanding of your safety
Frequently Asked Questions.
What is the most harmful effect of social media?
However good social media is, it also has a few harmful effects. The worst effects associated with heavy social media usage have been found to be increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts because social media may promote negative experiences such as: Inadequacy about your life or appearance as well.
Which social media is hacked most?
Every social media account is liable to hacking but Facebook accounts are first when it comes to being hacked, followed by Instagram and Spotify, according to an analysis by security firms. These three platforms dominate when it comes to hacking-related searches per month and shockingly, Spotify is the first non-social media service to ever appear in the top ten.
How do hackers get passwords?
There are very many ways that hackers can get passwords but Phishing is one of the most common ways that hackers gain access to other people’s login data. Phishing emails often contain links that lead to fake websites designed to trick you into entering your password which is then stored by hackers.
Why should we be safe on social media?
Safety is important as people can contact you via social media and gain access to your personal information through your social media pages or accounts. This issue multiplies if you use and are active on multiple social media platforms.
What is safety rules?
Simply defined, a safety rule is a principle or regulation governing actions, procedures or devices intended to lower the occurrence or risk of injury, loss and danger to people, property or the environment.
