Lesson 20: Social Media Safety

Understanding Social Media Risks

Social media platforms connect us with friends, family, and communities, but they also present risks including privacy violations, identity theft, cyberbullying, and scams. Understanding these risks helps you use social media safely while enjoying its benefits.

Social media platforms collect and share significant amounts of personal information. What you post, who you connect with, and how you interact online can all impact your privacy and safety. Learning to navigate social media safely is essential in the digital age.

💡 Why Social Media Safety Matters

Social media has become a central part of how people communicate and share information. However, oversharing or poor privacy practices can lead to: Identity theft, stalking, employment issues, reputation damage, and scams. What you share on social media is often permanent and can be seen by more people than you intend. Learning to use social media safely protects your privacy, reputation, and personal information while still allowing you to enjoy connecting with others online!

Privacy Settings and Controls

Most social media platforms offer extensive privacy settings to control who sees your information:

Profile Visibility: Set your profile to private so only approved followers can see your posts
Post Privacy: Control who can see individual posts—friends only, public, or custom lists
Tag Settings: Control who can tag you in photos and posts, and require approval before tags appear
Location Settings: Disable location sharing or limit it to specific posts or friends
Search Visibility: Control whether your profile appears in search results
Contact Information: Limit who can see your phone number, email, and other contact details

Configuring Privacy Settings

Take time to review and configure privacy settings on all your social media accounts. Most platforms default to sharing more information than necessary. Settings to review include: Who can see your posts, who can send you friend requests, who can tag you, what information is public, location sharing preferences, and search visibility. Set profiles to private when possible. Regularly review settings as platforms update and change options. Good privacy settings are your first line of defense on social media!

What Information to Share (and Not Share)

Being selective about what you share protects your privacy and safety:

Don't Share: Full home address, phone numbers, financial information, Social Security numbers, passwords, travel plans (until after you return), or information that answers security questions
Be Cautious About: Your current location, date of birth, names of family members, workplace details, or information about your routine
Safe to Share: General interests, hobbies, public events, or information that doesn't reveal your identity or location
Think Before Posting: Consider who might see your posts and how the information could be misused
Consider Long-Term Impact: Remember that posts are often permanent and can be seen by employers, colleges, and others

💡 The Sharing Rule

Before posting anything on social media, ask yourself: Could this information be used to harm me? Could this embarrass me in the future? Would I want an employer to see this? Would I share this with strangers in person? If the answer to any of these is yes, reconsider posting. Remember: Once information is online, you lose control over who sees it or how it's used. When in doubt, don't post. It's better to share less than to regret oversharing later!

Recognizing and Avoiding Scams

Social media is a common platform for scams and fraud:

Fake Profiles: Scammers create fake profiles pretending to be someone else or a legitimate business
Phishing Messages: Messages with suspicious links designed to steal your login information
Romance Scams: Scammers build relationships online, then request money for emergencies
Fake Giveaways: Posts claiming you've won something if you share, like, or click links
Investment Scams: Fake investment opportunities promising unrealistic returns
Fake Job Offers: Scammers post fake job listings to collect personal information or money

Social Media Scam Red Flags

Watch for: Profiles with few photos or suspicious activity, messages asking for money or personal information, links to suspicious websites, requests to move conversations off the platform, offers that seem too good to be true, pressure to act quickly, and profiles that don't match the person's story. Protect yourself by: Verifying friend requests carefully, not clicking suspicious links, never sending money to people you've only met online, being skeptical of "too good to be true" offers, and reporting suspicious profiles. When in doubt, don't engage—report and block suspicious accounts!

Managing Friend Requests and Connections

Be selective about who you connect with on social media:

Verify Identities: Before accepting friend requests, verify the person is who they claim to be
Check Mutual Friends: Look for mutual friends or connections to verify legitimacy
Review Profiles: Check profiles for signs of legitimacy—photos, activity, and connections
Be Cautious of Strangers: Don't accept requests from people you don't know unless you have a good reason
Use Friend Lists: Organize friends into lists with different privacy levels
Regular Cleanup: Periodically review your friend list and remove people you no longer trust or know

💡 Connection Safety

Your friend list determines who can see your information. Be selective: Only accept requests from people you know and trust, verify identities before accepting, check for mutual connections, and be cautious of duplicate profiles (someone might be impersonating a person you know). Remember: It's better to have fewer, trusted connections than many connections you don't know. Your friend list is like your real-world social circle—be selective about who you let in. If you're unsure about a friend request, don't accept it!

Photo and Location Sharing Safety

Photos and location information can reveal more than you intend:

Photo Privacy: Review photos before posting—check what's visible in backgrounds (addresses, license plates, etc.)
Disable Location Tags: Turn off automatic location tagging on photos
Be Selective: Don't post photos that reveal your home address, daily routine, or children's locations
Check Photo Permissions: Review who can see your photos and adjust privacy settings
Consider Delayed Sharing: Wait until after you've left a location before posting photos from there
Respect Others' Privacy: Ask permission before posting photos of others, especially children

Photo Safety Tips

Photos can reveal: Your location (through landmarks or GPS data), your home address (visible in backgrounds), your daily routine, who you spend time with, and other personal information. Before posting: Check what's visible in the background, disable location tagging, consider who might see the photo, think about long-term implications, and respect others' privacy. Remember: Photos are often permanent once posted online. Be especially careful about photos of children or that reveal your location. When in doubt, don't post the photo or wait until you're home!

Handling Cyberbullying and Harassment

If you experience cyberbullying or harassment on social media:

Don't Engage: Don't respond to harassing messages or posts—this often makes it worse
Document Everything: Take screenshots of harassing content before blocking or reporting
Block and Report: Block harassing users and report them to the platform
Adjust Privacy: Tighten privacy settings to limit who can contact you
Tell Someone: Don't keep harassment to yourself—tell trusted friends or family members
Contact Authorities: For serious threats or harassment, contact law enforcement

💡 Dealing with Harassment

If you're being harassed: Don't blame yourself—harassment is never your fault. Block the harasser immediately to stop their access to you. Report the harassment to the platform using their reporting tools. Document everything with screenshots before blocking (you may need evidence later). Adjust privacy settings to prevent future contact. Tell someone you trust—you don't have to deal with harassment alone. For serious threats, contact law enforcement. Most platforms take harassment seriously and will take action against harassers. You have the right to feel safe online!

Protecting Children and Teens

If you have children or teens using social media, extra precautions are needed:

Age Requirements: Most platforms require users to be at least 13 years old
Parental Controls: Use parental control tools and monitor your child's social media use
Privacy Settings: Help children set strict privacy settings and keep profiles private
Education: Teach children about online safety, privacy, and what information not to share
Open Communication: Create an environment where children feel comfortable discussing online problems
Monitor Friend Lists: Regularly review who your children are connecting with online

Child Safety on Social Media

Children need extra protection: Set strict privacy settings (private profiles, limited sharing), monitor their activity and friend lists, educate them about dangers (strangers, oversharing, cyberbullying), use parental controls when available, maintain open communication about online experiences, and teach them to report problems. Children may not understand the risks of social media. It's important to guide them and monitor their use until they're old enough to understand online safety. Remember: Children's social media activity can impact their future, so supervision and education are crucial!

Account Security

Protect your social media accounts from being hacked:

Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for each social media account
Two-Factor Authentication: Enable 2FA on all social media accounts for extra security
Log Out: Always log out when using shared computers or devices
App Permissions: Review and limit what information third-party apps can access
Login Alerts: Enable notifications for logins from new devices or locations
Regular Reviews: Periodically review active sessions and log out unknown devices

💡 Account Protection

Protect your accounts by: Using strong, unique passwords (don't reuse passwords), enabling two-factor authentication on all accounts, reviewing active sessions regularly, logging out of shared devices, limiting third-party app access, and monitoring for suspicious activity. A hacked social media account can be used to scam your friends, damage your reputation, or access other accounts. Take account security seriously. Enable login alerts so you're notified if someone accesses your account from an unknown device. Act quickly if you notice suspicious activity!

Building a Positive Online Presence

Your social media presence can impact your reputation and opportunities:

Think Long-Term: Consider how posts might be viewed by employers, colleges, or others in the future
Be Authentic: Be yourself, but remember that online posts are often permanent
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive or neutral tone—avoid posting when angry or emotional
Respect Others: Be respectful in your interactions—disagreement doesn't require disrespect
Be Helpful: Share useful information and support others when appropriate
Regular Cleanup: Periodically review old posts and remove anything that no longer represents you

Managing Your Online Reputation

Your social media presence is part of your digital identity. Employers, colleges, and others often review social media. Build a positive presence by: Thinking before posting, maintaining a respectful tone, sharing content that reflects well on you, regularly reviewing and cleaning up old posts, and being mindful that posts are often permanent. Remember: What you post today can affect opportunities tomorrow. A positive online presence opens doors, while a negative one can close them. Use social media thoughtfully and build a reputation you're proud of!

Recognizing Fake News and Misinformation

Social media is a common source of misinformation:

Verify Information: Don't share information without verifying it from reliable sources
Check Sources: Look for reliable sources and fact-check claims before sharing
Be Skeptical: Be especially cautious of sensational or shocking claims
Question Viral Content: Viral posts often spread misinformation—verify before sharing
Use Fact-Checking Sites: Use reputable fact-checking websites to verify claims
Don't Share Suspicious Links: Avoid sharing links from unknown or suspicious sources

💡 Information Literacy

Before sharing information: Verify it from reliable sources, check if fact-checkers have reviewed it, consider the source's credibility, look for evidence to support claims, and think about why the information is being shared. Misinformation spreads quickly on social media. Sharing false information can harm others and damage your credibility. Take responsibility for what you share—only share information you've verified. When in doubt, don't share. It's better to be cautious than to spread misinformation!

Taking Breaks from Social Media

Regular breaks from social media are beneficial for mental health and privacy:

Mental Health Benefits: Breaks reduce stress, anxiety, and comparison to others
Privacy Benefits: Less time online means less information being shared and collected
Setting Boundaries: Set specific times for social media use and stick to them
Digital Detoxes: Consider periodic breaks from all social media platforms
Notification Management: Turn off notifications to reduce constant engagement
Focus on Real Connections: Use breaks to focus on in-person relationships

Healthy Social Media Habits

Healthy social media use includes: Setting time limits, taking regular breaks, turning off notifications, focusing on quality over quantity of connections, and prioritizing real-world relationships. Social media can be overwhelming and addictive. Regular breaks help maintain perspective and reduce the amount of information you share online. Consider: Setting daily time limits, taking one day off per week, or doing periodic week-long breaks. Your mental health and privacy benefit from time away from social media. Remember: Social media is a tool for connection, not a replacement for real-world relationships!

Building Safe Social Media Habits

Developing good habits makes social media safer automatically:

Think Before Posting: Always pause and think before sharing anything online
Review Privacy Settings Regularly: Check settings periodically as platforms update
Verify Before Sharing: Verify information before sharing it with others
Monitor Accounts: Regularly review your accounts for suspicious activity
Stay Informed: Keep up with privacy and security best practices
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels wrong or unsafe, trust your gut

💡 Making Safety Automatic

Safe social media use becomes automatic when you build good habits. Always think before posting, regularly review privacy settings, verify information before sharing, monitor accounts for issues, and trust your instincts. With practice, safe social media practices become second nature. The habits you build protect your privacy, reputation, and safety. Remember: Social media is a powerful tool, but like all tools, it requires responsible use. Build good habits now to enjoy social media safely long-term!