Social media can be a great way to connect with friends and family, share your thoughts and experiences, and learn about the world around you. However, it’s important to be mindful of what you share online, as it can have a lasting impact on your privacy and security.
Here are 7 things you should never share on social media:
1. Personal Information
This includes your full name, address, phone number, date of birth, and other identifying information. This information can be used to commit identity theft or other crimes.
For example, if you share your address on social media, someone could use that information to send you unwanted mail or even show up at your door. They could also use your address to commit identity theft, such as opening a credit card in your name.
2. Financial Information
This includes your credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and other financial information. This information can be used to make unauthorized purchases or steal your money.
For example, if you share your credit card number on social media, someone could use that information to make fraudulent purchases. They could also use your bank account number to withdraw money from your account.
3. Login Credentials
This includes your passwords, PINs, and other login information. This information is the key to your online accounts, so never share it with anyone.
For example, if you share your password for your email account on social media, someone could use that information to log into your account and read your emails. They could also use your password to change your account settings or even delete your account.
4. Sensitive Photos or Videos
This includes photos or videos that could be used to embarrass you or harm your reputation. For example, if you share a photo of yourself drunk or partying, it could be used against you in the future. It could also be used by bullies or predators to harass you.
5. Scams or Phishing Attempts
This includes messages or posts that try to trick you into giving out personal information or clicking on a malicious link. For example, you might receive a message from someone claiming to be from your bank asking for your account information. If you give them your information, they could use it to steal your money.
6. Hate Speech or Offensive Content
This includes content that is racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise offensive. This content can be harmful to others and can get you banned from social media platforms. For example, if you post a racist or sexist comment on social media, it could offend other users and get you banned from the platform.
7. Personal Stories or Tragedies
This includes stories about your personal life or experiences, especially if they are traumatic or sensitive. Sharing these stories can make you vulnerable to online predators or scammers. For example, if you share a story about being sexually assaulted on social media, you could be targeted by predators who want to take advantage of you.
In addition to these specific pieces of information, you should also be careful about sharing anything that could be used to track you or identify you, such as your home address, workplace, or school. You should also be careful about sharing anything that could be used to compromise your security, such as screenshots of your computer screen or login credentials.
It’s also important to be aware of the privacy settings on your social media accounts. Make sure that you only share information with people you trust, and that you review your settings regularly to make sure that they are still appropriate.
By following these tips, you can help to protect your privacy and security on social media.
Here are some additional tips for staying safe on social media:
- Be careful about what you click on. Phishing scams are common on social media, so be careful about clicking on links in messages or posts from people you don’t know.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication. This will make it more difficult for someone to hack into your accounts.
- Be aware of the latest social media scams. There are always new scams popping up, so it’s important to stay informed.
- Report any suspicious activity to the social media platform. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, report it so that the platform can take action.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from cybercrime and stay safe on social media.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when sharing information on social media:
- Think about your audience. Who will see the information you’re sharing? Are you comfortable with everyone seeing it?
- Be mindful of the context. Is the information you’re sharing relevant to the conversation?
- Be respectful. Don’t share anything that could be offensive or hurtful to others.
- Be aware of the law. Some information is illegal to share online.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that you are sharing information on social media in a safe and responsible manner.
