Protect Yourself: What Personal Information is Safe to Include on Social Media
Social media has become an integral part of our daily routine. It’s no longer just a platform for sharing pictures, thoughts, and updates; it’s a tool for networking, marketing, and establishing your brand. While it’s beneficial to share our personal experiences and connect with people worldwide, there’s also a need to be cautious of what we share. Not all information should be available for all to see. In this article, we’ll discuss what personal information is safe to include on social media and what isn’t.
What Personal Information Should You Keep Private?
Your personal information, such as your home address, phone number, and social security number, should never be shared on social media. Posting such information puts you at danger of identity theft, stalking, or burglary. According to the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work, identity theft has become one of the most common crimes, and social media has increased the risk of identity theft.
It’s also important to be cautious when sharing your location information. Some social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter allow you to share your location through their features. However, this can put you and your family at risk. Suppose someone you don’t know sees your location and decides to follow you or even harm you. In that case, it can be dangerous.
What Personal Information Can Be Shared?
There’s a fine line between sharing personal information and oversharing personal information. Topics such as your job, professional achievements, and hobbies are generally considered safe to share on social media. It’s also acceptable to share pictures from events and other happy moments in your life.
It’s essential to remember that thoughtless posts or comments may be used against you in the future. Besides, you wouldn’t want to post something you regret later on.
How Can You Protect Yourself on Social Media?
Here are some tips to keep yourself safe on social media.
1. Keep your personal information private: Do not share sensitive information on social media. If you have to fill in a form, ensure it’s a secure website before sharing any information.
2. Use strong passwords: Use robust passwords that are difficult to guess.
3. Review your privacy settings: Make sure you set up your privacy settings to protect your information from the public.
4. Be careful who you accept friend requests from: There’s no need to accept friend requests from strangers.
5. Regularly check your accounts: Regularly reviewing your account ensures that no one has hacked into your accounts.
In Summary
Social media platforms can be a great way to connect and network with people worldwide. However, sharing the wrong information can be dangerous and put you at risk of identity theft, stalking, and burglary. It’s critical to keep your personal information, such as your home address, phone number, and social security number, private. Always remember to review your privacy settings and be careful who you accept friend requests from.
By exercising caution and adhering to the best practices for social media usage, you can ensure that your online presence is both beneficial and safe.
