Safely Using Social Media
Social media is a really great way to keep in contact with friends and family. When used correctly, you can have a way to stay in touch with people, no matter how far away they may be! However, there are some risks you should know about and take seriously when using it.
This page will tell you some challenges and dangers that you may encounter on social media, as well as how you can stay safe!
Know
- What information should not be posted?
- When should I click on a link?
Identify
- Do I know this person?
- Would I mind if all of my classmates saw this post?
Do
- Do not reuse passwords.
- Log out when not in use.
- Limit the posting of personal details.
What exactly is social media?
As we discussed earlier, social media is a place to talk and communicate with friends and family, wherever and whenever! Staying in touch has become much easier because of it.
You can share things like photos, videos, thoughts, and mostly anything else you could think of. This is a great way to show people how life is going for you. However, you need to be careful about what you share and how you share it.
What challenges could I run into on social media?
Challenges on social media include knowing who the people you talk to are, and how secure your information is.
Knowing who you’re talking to is very important. You should try to keep your friends on social media to the friends you know in real life. Otherwise, the person you’re talking to can pretend to be someone else in order to get you to reveal information by getting close to you.
Also, be sure to limit what information you put on your social media. If you’re not specific about what you do and don’t post, you can accidentally tell someone information they shouldn’t have. Never post passwords, usernames, or highly personal information, and avoid posting locations or things that would give away where you are.
What dangers am I at risk of if I'm not careful?
If you aren’t being diligent and cautious, you can end up with a compromised account, or worse. Passwords can get leaked online on different sites and online spaces, causing many hackers to have access to your accounts.
This can lead to privacy issues, or even malware being installed on your devices without you knowing. This malware can gain even more information about who you are, and then the issues on your devices can become serious issues in your everyday life.
For this reason, it is imperative that you keep your information safe at all times. It’s your responsibility!
Handout
Unscramble the message! Can you unscramble all of these words? They will lead you to a secret message that will answer the question at the bottom! Use the button below to download this PDF handout, and then print it out and crack the code! Speaking of social media, come find us on our social media page! We share lessons and information regularly, and we’d love to see you there!