Protecting Your Privacy on Social Media Networks

Almost as undeniable as a cup of coffee in the morning, social media has become a part of most people’s daily lives. People love sharing their personal lives and views and knowing what’s going on in the lives of others. Although a fun activity, sharing information on social media platforms can have serious consequences. With these warnings in mind, we’re here to present some helpful hints to keep your social networking a safe, rewarding experience.

Who sees what you post?

Your information, some of which is very personal, goes up on the internet. Outside of your trusted circle of friends and relatives, who else is viewing what you post? Spambots, vindictive acquaintances, and even criminals may take an interest, too. You wouldn’t just hand out your banking account information, so why would you give away your privacy rights on social networking sites? Make sure you agree with the privacy settings of the platform you are using.

What should you keep private?

Keep your full name and address to yourself. This same advice also applies to posting your children or grandchildren’s full names. Avoid doing this. Also remind the teens in your life to do the same, because they are more likely to share personal information.

Be aware of the pictures you share. You might think it is harmless, but a single picture can give away a lot of information. Think about it, if you post a picture of your child at school, this can give away the name and location through the badge on their uniform and if the name of the school is visible in the picture. Consider blurring or cropping these out before posting on social media. The same goes for posting your new expensive TV. Your location is known, and this could make you a target for criminals.

Be proactive

Social media sites can be a great way to stay connected to old friends and help you make new ones. Just make sure to keep your privacy at the appropriate level. If you’re concerned about maintaining your privacy online, think about installing Norton Security Premium. For the privacy of your kids, you can consider Norton™ Family Premier, which gives you insight into your kids’ or grandkids’ online activities so that you can monitor and teach them good social media practices.