Social Media
What is social media
Social media is a great way to stay in touch with people, catch up with long lost friends and make new contacts - adults who use social media have been found to have increased social support and greater life satisfaction. But there are risks, particularly in terms of what you might see and how much personal information you might share.
Any app that allows you to message and interact with others is classed as social media - Do you know these popular social media apps?
What are the risks on social media?
Cyberbullying
Although this is often associated with children and young people, it can happen to anyone.
Cat Fishing
When someone sets up a fake online profile to trick people, often through dating sites, usually to get money out of them.
Online Grooming
The presence of strangers online means there is a risk of grooming, this could be for exploitation or radicalisation.
Identity Theft
There is a risk that someone could clone your profile or use your personal information to impersonate you or misrepresent you online.
Seeing offensive or upsetting images or messages
Most social media apps use algorithms to decide what content you see and this can make it difficult to manage what you see online.
Invasion or Privacy
Social media platforms can be vulnerable to data breaches which could expose your personal data or some may allow third-parties to access user data.
Phishing
When criminals use scam emails, text messages or phone calls to trick their victims. The aim is often to make you visit a website, which may download a virus onto your computer or steal your personal information.
Misinformation, misused information or malicious content
There is a lot of information circulated via social media and it can be difficult to know what is real and what is either fake or displayed out of context.
There are many positives to social media - don’t be put off by the potential risks, there are ways in which you can manage your settings and minimise these risks
Ways you can manage risks
1. Keep social media profiles private
Only allow friends you have accepted to see your posts and be aware of other people tagging you in social media content, you can amend automatic tagging in the settings on most social media apps.
2. Avoid sharing personal information
Like your phone number or address and check the background of photos – does it show people where you live or where you work?
3. Remember that anything you post has the potential to be seen by anyone
So if you’re going on holiday you might not want to let the whole world know your house will be vacant for a week.
4. Check your settings on social media apps for filters
Which will allow you to modify what content is automatically shown – particularly important when children and young people are using social media.
How to report a problem
If you see something online which you find upsetting or harmful then you can report it.
Most social media sites offer you the tools to report posts which are offensive or upsetting. This can usually be found by clicking on the post.
Report Harmful Content is a website which helps guide you through making reports to certain apps or websites on any of the 8 harms (Threats, Impersonation, Bullying & Harassment, Self-harm or Suicide, Online Abuse, Violent Content, Unwanted Sexual Advances, Pornographic Content).
There is also a way to make the report direct to them if you are not getting a response to a report you have made.
