Tips for successfully navigating social media

(NC) Social media can be equal parts fun, informative and frightening. While the various platforms have become part of our daily lives as ways to connect with friends and family, stay on top of current events and be entertained, there are some downsides to using social media. Here are four ways to protect yourself when using these platforms.

Use secure passwords
Be sure to use unique, hard-to-guess passwords for every social media site or app you register with. That way, if one site is hacked, your other accounts won’t be at risk of exposure. Every password should have a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

You should always use private internet connections to log into your online accounts. If you log in using public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in the library or a coffee shop, you risk having your information exposed.

Protect your privacy
Every social media platform has adjustable privacy settings. These enable you to filter out words or phrases you find offensive, block comments from specific individuals and report inappropriate content. You can also turn off geolocation features so strangers can’t track your location.

Always be careful about how much personal information you post online. Children should be taught not to include the name of their school, the sports teams they play on, or their home address in posts and images. However, adults should also be cautious about oversharing personal details. On countless occasions, crooks have used the information they find on people’s social media accounts to determine that someone is away on holiday and then track down their home address to break in.

Pause before you post
Before you post anything online, think carefully if the message or image you’re sharing is something that you want on your “permanent record.” Even on applications claiming posts will disappear shortly after posting, you cannot stop others from taking screenshots of your message and posting it elsewhere.

If a hiring manager finds an image months or years later, would they reconsider giving you a job offer? Would you be embarrassed if a future friend, colleague or potential love interest discovered some old posts where you made inappropriate comments?

Consider this simple mantra before you post: Is this something that I’d want my parents or children to read?

Take a break
Perhaps the most important piece of advice is to take regular breaks from social media. For many, the thrill of getting likes or gaining followers can be addictive. Spending too much time on social media can negatively impact your work or studies. Staring at a screen for too long can also affect your eyesight, sleep patterns and overall health. Before going online, set yourself a limit – say, 30 minutes – and stick to it.

Find more online safety tips and free resources on navigating the digital world at abcconnectforlearning.ca.