#socialsafety

Growing up in the first generation of heavy internet users, I was always warned about being cautious online. Now that the use of social networks has become a worldwide practice for business, news, pop culture, entertainment and its main purpose- socializing- is the threat of online predators still looming around every hyperlink? The answer is most definitely yes, and probably even more so. With the various platforms we use every day for social networking, it is important to know when and how to protect ourselves from revealing too much information that could result in cyberstalking or cybercrime. The problem is how can we be sure how to protect ourselves while still growing our own influence and networks? Here are a few general tips/things to remember for all social platforms:

1. Private-shmivrate: Just because your profile is "private" to other users unless you approve them as a friend/follower/etc, does not mean your information is really a secret. The internet is like one of those sticky mousetraps, anything you post has the potential to be saved, grabbed, reposted, or hacked. However, Privacy settings do help keep your information and postings private from a lot of unwanted visitors and should still be used whenever possible, but the point is that there are always loopholes. Think before you post. 

2.  TMI: Do not post anything on social networks that you would not willingly tell a stranger. Your birthdate, address, phone number, etc are all pieces of information that can help contribute to fraud and identity theft. If a random stranger on a street corner asked where you live or when/where you were born, hopefully you would not feel comfortable sharing the answers. Limit your personal information on social networks. If one of your friends or family members needs to know your exact birth day/month/year, they can ask you themselves. 

  3. Um.. Do I Know You?: Enabling privacy settings only helps when you monitor who you are accepting as a friend/follower. Even though you have to "approve" requests, make sure there is a legitimate and identifiable reason they want to follow you. For most of us social networkers, it is unrealistic to decline friend requests from everyone except your closest friends and family. The safest option is to decline from anyone you do not know, but ALWAYS use your judgement and look for red flags on their accounts. For example, if they are following 209,745,683 on twitter/instagram but only have a few followers/posts, you probably should not accept their request. 

  As we expand our use and knowledge of the cyberworld, cyber predators are doing the same. This DOES NOT mean we need to avoid social networks all together, but we should be informed and intentional with our online activity.