How to Protect Yourself on Social Media Platforms

It’s no secret that social media is a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it can also be a breeding ground for predators. Unfortunately, many people don’t take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from these criminals. In this blog post, I will discuss some tips on how to stay safe on social media platforms.

Via Pexels

 

Not Everything Needs To Be Public

One of the most important things to remember when using social media is that not everything needs to be public. There are certain pieces of information that you should never share on social media, such as your home address, phone number, or email address. If a predator has this information, they can easily find and stalk you in real life. So, be sure only to share information that you are comfortable with sharing publicly.

 

Privacy Settings Are Your Friend

Most social media platforms have privacy settings that allow you to control who can see your information. For example, you can choose to make your account private on Twitter, which means that only people you approve can follow you and see your tweets. Follow the link for instructions on how to change Twitter privacy settings. You can also block specific users from viewing your profile. These privacy settings are there for a reason, so be sure to take advantage of them.

 

Be Wary Of Strangers

Be wary if you receive a friend request from someone you don’t know. It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to strangers. If you’re not sure whether or not you should accept their request, do a little research first. A quick Google search can often reveal whether or not someone is a predator. If you have any doubts, it’s best to ignore the request altogether.

 

Be Careful Not To Share Your Location

In today’s world, it’s easy to share your location with just a few clicks. However, you should be careful about doing this, as it can give predators a general idea of where you are and make it easier for them to find you. If you must share your location, be sure to do so in a private message rather than a public post.

 

Never Share Your Personal Information

This one should be a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. Never share your personal information with strangers, even if they seem harmless. This includes your full name, address, phone number, email address, and credit card number. Predators can use this information to steal your identity or commit other crimes.

 

Be Wary Of Scams

Many scammers on social media platforms will try to take advantage of you. For example, they may send you messages or friend requests, pretending to be someone they’re not. They may also create fake profiles and groups to lure you into giving them personal information or money. Be very wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue, and never give out personal information or money to someone you don’t know.

 

If You’re Being Harassed

If you’re being harassed on social media, you can do a few things. First, try blocking the person who is harassing you. This will stop them from being able to contact you or see your posts. If the harassment is severe, you can also report the person to the social media platform, and they may take action against the user. Finally, you can contact law enforcement if the harassment is threatening or violent.

 

Don’t Use The Same Password For Everything

One of the worst things you can do is use the same password for all of your social media accounts. Then, if a hacker gets ahold of your password, they will have access to all of your accounts. To avoid this, use different passwords for each account, and make sure they are strong passwords that are difficult to guess. You can also use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account.

 

Review Your Tags

You should also review your tags regularly to see who you’re tagged in and what information is visible. Then, you can untag yourself if you’re tagged in a photo or post that you don’t want to be associated with. You can also change your privacy settings so that only people who are your friends or approved by you can tag you in photos and posts.

 

The world we live in today is very different from our world, even just a decade ago. With the advent of social media, predators have found new ways to prey on their victims. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of the dangers of social media and take steps to protect yourself. By being cautious and taking some simple precautions, you can help keep yourself safe from harm.