Social media is taking the world by storm. Stay connected to loved ones, wherever they may be. With the ease of sharing information comes the responsibility to make sure you aren’t sharing too much. Enjoy the benefits of using social media while making sure your accounts are secure and your information isn’t too revealing.
Photos
Many social media platforms require or encourage you to share photos when you post. This is a great way to share fun vacation pictures, cute family portraits, or other memories that you have captured along the way. When sharing these photos, make sure they do not give too much away about your personal life that could be misused. Try to avoid photos showing where you live, where you work, or where you spend large amounts of time. Also be cautious of what may be in the background of a photo, such as a credit card or ID lying on a table.
Security Settings
Social media accounts are very public in nature, as they are aimed at sharing and connecting with other people. However, there are ways to make your accounts more private and secure. This will ensure your information stays much safer and is only accessible to people you want to see it. In the settings of each account, there is a security section. In this section, you can choose to make your account entirely private, share posts to only the friends you have already accepted to that account, and other privacy measures. Each social media platform offers different privacy settings. Be sure to adjust your settings when you create an account to ensure it is safe and secure.
Your security settings are very important, but it’s also important to protect your account by selecting a strong password. Avoid using names (pets, your name, family member names), birthdates, anniversaries, or other words/numbers that may be easy to guess. Make sure to use both capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol or two to make it even harder to crack. See our blog about online security for more tips! If a hacker would happen to crack your password, your personal information would be vulnerable and easy to steal. Having a strong, unique password helps protect your account from potential threats and breaches.
Social Media Platforms
Now that you have made sure your accounts are secure, here are some tips and benefits to the different types of social media that you can participate in:
Facebook is the most widely used social media platform on the planet. You can share words, pictures, videos, news stories, and much more. Facebook is the best way to connect with other family members and friends, as many people of all ages have Facebook accounts.
If you want to connect with people more privately through Facebook, you can download Facebook Messenger. Messenger is similar to texting, but messages are sent through the Facebook platform instead of your cellular provider. (If you’re using a cell phone for Messenger, though, it will use data!). Messenger allows you to send private messages to friends whose phone numbers you may not have. Facebook also shows you when your friends are having birthdays and allows you to post birthday messages on their timeline. Facebook Marketplace is a relatively new feature that allows you to buy and sell items to people in your area through Facebook, similar to Ebay or Craigslist.
Instagram is the best social media platform for sharing your favorite pictures and viewing pictures from your family and friends. The app lets you share multiple photos at a time and gives you options to filter, edit, and caption the pictures you post. Instagram is a great place to share photos with your grandchildren, see what your children are up to, or post pictures from your recent vacation.
This popular platform is for sharing concise (280 characters or less!) posts, which may include pictures or videos if you so desire. It is often used for more humor-based content, and less on life updates. Twitter can also be a great platform for getting snapshots of popular events and what is going on in the news. By following news sources, politicians (even the president!), famous actors, musicians, and more you can stay up to date on the latest happenings.
Enjoy!
Social media is a great way to stay connected with your friends, family, and loved ones around the world. Keeping your information safe and secure is a top priority when using social media. Don’t share any personal information that could be stolen or misused. Social media can seem daunting at first, but it can also be a rewarding experience. Consider searching for online tutorials or seeking out a young family member or friend. They can help you navigate the process of creating and utilizing your social media platform or platforms of choice.