Social media allows billions of people worldwide to connect, share photos, thoughts and personal experiences. It can be a great way for people to make friends and get social, but the nature of having thousands of users that are unknown to you means it carries a degree of risk.
We want to promote safe social networking – minimising the risks posed to you as a social media user.
Some of the risks are:
Disclosing private information about yourself/friends/family
Cyber- crime
Bullying
Online grooming
Phishing adverts on social media
Harassment
Extremist views
Things you can do to stay safe:
Don’t publish information that can identify you personally, such as phone number, photos of your home, your address and school or workplace.
Keep your profile ‘closed’ or ‘private’ so only your friends can view your profile
Use strong passwords include numbers, different case letters and symbols
The internet is forever – don’t publish things that may embarrass your or someone else in the future
Remember employers routinely check current or prospective employees' social media platforms. Be careful about what you say or post as it could jeopardise your employment.
Don’t post your holiday dates, or family photos whilst you’re away. Social media is a favourite tool for a modern burglar, your insurance company may also not pay out.
Check out the site privacy features – you can restrict strangers’ access to your profile.
Be on your guard about fake friend requests and phishing scams.
Propaganda and fake news can be used online as a form of persuasion. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to spot. Stop, read and check the information before you share on your social media platforms. Find out more at https://sharechecklist.gov.uk/
Read more advice and information on our help hub.
Social Media Safety Centres