How to stay safe and protect your privacy online
Social media is a wonderful way to stay connected with friends, children, and grandchildren. It helps us share photos, stay in the loop, and feel part of a community—even from the comfort of home. But while social media brings us closer together, it’s also important to be thoughtful about what we share. Why? Because not everyone online has good intentions.
The good news is, you can still enjoy social media safely with just a few simple steps. In this post, we’ll show you what to watch out for, how scammers use your information, and how to adjust your privacy settings so only the people you trust can see your posts.
🤔 What You Should Be Careful About Sharing
When you post something online, it may seem like it’s just going to family and friends—but sometimes it reaches much farther. Scammers and strangers can see what you share if your settings aren’t private.
Here are a few things to avoid posting publicly:
- Your full birthdate
- Your home address or phone number
- Travel plans like “Leaving for a week!”
- Personal routines (e.g., “I go to the same café every morning”)
- Security clues like your pet’s name, mother’s maiden name, or favorite color (common security questions)
Even photos can reveal more than you think. For example, pictures taken in your home might show prescription bottles, mail, or IDs in the background. These details can be used to guess passwords or even steal your identity.
🚨 How Scammers Use Shared Information
Online scammers are sneaky. They gather small details over time from public posts to build a full profile of you. For example, if you share your birthday, dog’s name, and favorite sports team, a scammer might be able to answer your security questions and reset your account passwords.
Some scammers also pretend to be someone you know. They might copy your profile photo and make a fake account using your name to trick others. Others watch for vacation posts to target empty homes.
That’s why protecting your information isn’t about being secretive—it’s about being smart.
🔧 How to Adjust Your Privacy Settings
The easiest way to protect yourself is to change your social media settings so only friends can see your posts. Here’s how to do it on Facebook:
- Go to Settings & Privacy
- Select Privacy Checkup
- Choose “Who can see what you share?”
- Set your posts and personal information to “Friends Only”
You can also:
- Remove your birthday from public view
- Limit who can send you friend requests
- Use Facebook’s “View As” tool to see what others see on your profile
Taking five minutes to do this can protect you from countless scams and unwanted attention.
âś… Safe Sharing Tips for Every Day
Here are a few simple habits to keep in mind:
- Only accept friend requests from people you know personally
- Don’t click on suspicious links, even if they come from someone you know
- Wait until after a trip to post about it
- Use strong passwords and don’t reuse them across sites
- Log out of accounts when using a shared device
And most importantly, trust your gut. If something feels off, take a moment to double-check or ask a trusted friend or family member for help.
🌟 Conclusion: Stay Connected and Stay Safe
At Golden Guidance, we believe social media should feel safe, fun, and empowering—not stressful. You deserve to enjoy the benefits of technology without worrying about scams or strangers. By being careful with what you share and who sees it, you can stay in control and protect your peace of mind.
Want more helpful tips like this? Follow us on Facebook and share this post with a loved one who could use a little guidance.
