1. Clean your social media accounts
The biggest mistake you can make when using social media accounts is underestimating the extent to which a third party can use your old posts against you. We have all found ourselves making an embarrassing or overly private post, especially during our early days of social media use. Luckily, it is possible to clean your social media accounts and remove all content you do not want. All you have to do is visit this website and systematically delete any parts of your digital footprint.
2. Read and understand each platform’s terms of services
Every social media platform has its terms of services and privacy policy that dictate the following:
The type of information they collectWhy they collect the informationHow or whether other third parties can access the informationWays to make your profile private or recommended adjustments for better security
It might be tedious to review all these terms, but they are crucial as they dictate how much power a social media platform has over your information. The odds are higher if you are a parent, as you need to understand the potentially dangerous apps for your little ones.
3. Limit your friends and connections
The best social media apps to make friends are designed to allow you to build a global connection by sending and receiving requests at will. However, this does not mean you should accept friend requests from people you do not know. Limit the number of friend requests you accept to avoid being a victim to cybercriminals.
4. Stay off the grid
Targeted advertising has led to an increased demand for user location information by most companies. This information is readily available when you are using most social media platforms, and the only way to limit this is by turning off your location settings. Staying off the grid will save you from data miners and businesses keen on using your location information for advertising purposes. It also keeps you safe from hackers who might use such information for blackmail or phishing attempts.
5. Use a tracker blocker
One of the most effective ways to prevent privacy breaches while using social media is installing a tracker blocker. This tool is best used as an extension on your favorite browser to prevent ubiquitous trackers from monitoring your activities. In the end, tracker blockers keep your activities more private and allow you to enjoy browsing without being bombarded with countless targeted ads.
Endnote
Social media usage comes with its fair share of risks, and to stay safe, you need to put your privacy back in your hands. Use these tips to have a better grip of your personal information and digital footprint when socializing online.
