10 Tips for Social Media Safety
By Natalie Moritz | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed August 27, 2024
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Social media apps allow us to connect with our immediate networks and others across the globe. But, sharing information should come with a heightened awareness of internet safety.
Basic cybersecurity measures can help protect your privacy and secure your accounts. Most major social platforms take security seriously. But, users must also take proactive steps to protect themselves and their social media accounts.
Unfortunately, using social media platforms comes with some risks. Some use social media sites and apps to commit crimes, and others engage in unethical (but not always illegal) behavior. Some dangers of online social networking include:
- Email phishing and spoofing, used for identity theft
- Creating fake accounts to mislead and deceive others (catfishing)
- Using profile information (especially location data) to target victims and commit crimes
- Cyberbullying and harassment stemming from online altercations
This article shares 10 essential social media safety tips. You'll learn how to secure your personal information, maintain privacy, avoid scams, and more.
1. Evaluate Your Comfort Zone and its Risks
Different users have varying motivations for using social media. For example, some people use Facebook to see updates and photos from friends and family. Others use Instagram to connect with users outside their regular networks and geographic areas. Regardless, consider your comfort zone and its potential dangers.
Not everyone on social media is who they say they are. Be more cautious with users you meet online than users you know "in real life," and don't treat every online interaction equally. For example, don't give your home address or cell phone number to users you haven't properly vetted.
2. Be Careful About Posting Your Location
Several social media apps allow you to note your location. For example:
- "Checking in" to a sporting event or restaurant on Facebook
- Geotagging, or adding a location, to an Instagram photo or TikTok video
- Adding a geofilter (a location-specific overlay available in certain areas) to your Snapchat story
Adding your location can be a fun way to share where you are or what you're doing with your social media friends. But there are risks.
For example, geotagging can include specific location data, like latitude and longitude coordinates and place names. It can expose your exact location when posting pictures or updates. Criminals can use these locations to track potential victims and target an empty home or business for a burglary.
If you add your location to your posts, review your privacy settings first and consider who in your online networks can see your posts.
3. Review Your Social Media Privacy Settings
While the specifics of privacy settings vary by social platform, most allow you to choose what content and parts of your profile are:
- Visible to the public
- Visible to friends and connections
- Not visible at all, or visible to only you
What you post can also appear in search engines depending on your privacy settings. This can be helpful in some scenarios, such as active job seekers posting on LinkedIn. But knowing your privacy settings and who can view your profile and content is key. Review your privacy settings regularly to ensure only those you want to see your profiles can access your content.
4. Disengage From Online Confrontations
Engaging in heated debates or arguments on social platforms can escalate quickly. Anonymity and lack of accountability can create opportunities for cyberbullying, harassment, and other online abuse. Even if it doesn't escalate to that, these unpleasant online discussions can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety.
It's best to step away from volatile online conversations. Doing this protects your mental well-being and avoids contributing to a toxic online environment. While it can be tempting, remember that not every comment or post requires a response. Prioritize your peace of mind and safety.
5. Avoid Social Media Quizzes
Lifestyle and personality quizzes you find when scrolling your social feeds may seem fun and harmless. But, some online criminals use these quizzes to gather sensitive information to help them guess your passwords for online accounts. Many of these quizzes get you to reveal birthdays, school names, and hometowns — all common answers to security screening questions.
6. Think Before You Post
Once you post something online, it can be difficult (and even impossible) to completely remove it. Search engines and browsers "cache" web pages to improve loading times, which can allow access to your content even after you've deleted it. Impulsive posts can have lasting repercussions affecting your personal and professional reputation.
Even with apps like Snapchat offering more privacy and immediacy, users can screenshot and save what you post.
It can help to ask yourself if the content you want to post is something you would be comfortable with anyone seeing, including family members and employers. Further, be cautious about sharing personal information or sensitive details about yourself or your family that could be used maliciously.
7. Review New Friend Requests Before Accepting
Even if a request appears to come from someone you know, verify its authenticity before accepting. Hackers can gain access to your friends' accounts and use them to send fraudulent requests or malware links.
Before accepting a new friend or connection request, look at the profile for signs of suspicious activity, like unusual posts or messages. Also, ensure it is not a duplicate account of someone already on your friends list.
If you're unsure if a request is legitimate, contact your friend using a different confirmation method. Hackers rely on users not practicing due diligence before accepting new requests.
8. Don't Fall for a Catfish
Catfishing is when someone creates a fake, misleading online persona to deceive others. They make what appears to be a desirable online persona by stealing photos or videos from the accounts of real users. Catfishing is often used in online dating but isn't restricted to dating apps. Catfishes also use social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to form dishonest relationships with other users.
A catfish's motivation can range from emotional manipulation to financial gain. While some catfish create fake profiles simply for the thrill of deception, others use this method of deceit to con others into sending money, gifts, or other valuables. A catfish may fake an emergency or tell a lie they think will elicit an emotional response to convince you to send money or financial support.
Getting involved with a catfish can lead to significant emotional damage and financial harm.
If you suspect you're interacting with a catfish, try performing a reverse image search in Google or another search engine. This lets you see other sources of the image and indicates whether the account owner stole the photo from another profile.
Avoiding video calls or meeting in person can also be a red flag you're interacting with a catfish. Be wary of profiles that seem too perfect or present as excessively attractive or successful. Catfish can also be erratic with their communication, like disappearing for periods of time and later re-emerging or messaging only at odd hours.
Trust your instincts and protect your private information. Don't send money or gifts or provide financial information, like a credit card number.
9. Choose Strong Passwords
Choose longer passwords using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using information a hacker could easily guess, like your birthday or children's names. Using different site passwords can prevent a single breach from compromising multiple accounts.
Consider using a password manager to generate and keep track of your passwords.
10. Enhance Your Security Settings
Enable two-factor authentication when possible. This can prevent unauthorized access to your accounts through an added layer of security. Two-factor authentication (or multi-factor authentication) requires you to confirm login attempts with an authentication app or verification code sent via phone call or text message.
Most platforms automatically send notifications for suspicious login attempts or new device logins. But, activate this feature separately if given the option. This allows you to react quickly should someone try to access your account.
Regularly check all third-party apps and services that have access to your accounts. Revoke permissions for any you no longer use.
Getting Legal Help For an Online Safety Issue
Admitting you've fallen for a phishing scam or other online crime can be embarrassing. But these crimes are more common than you think. Legal help is available if you've been conned. Other issues stemming from social media usage, like harassment, are illegal.
An attorney can review your situation and explain your legal options. Some online dangers, like catfishing, aren't necessarily unlawful but can be grounds for a civil claim. An experienced attorney can help you understand the laws surrounding your situation and suggest next steps.
Contact an internet lawyer in your area today to learn how they can help.
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