How To Be Safe When Socializing Online

Have you ever been at risk of being scammed or cheated online? Maybe someone threatened you to give them money, maybe you’ve been threatened to send nudes and have had your webcam hacked.

Sometimes, you might find yourself in a situation you are apprehensive about. You don’t trust the other person and have nothing to do but chat with them online. Dare I say there are people out there who are not what they seem online? Scammers, spammers, and even sociopaths exist on the net, and it is important to be aware of them and how to protect yourself from these dangerous people.

It is good to be kept up-to-date on the best tips and tricks for staying safe when socializing online.

Don’t overshare your private information

As a general rule, sharing private information online is not a good idea. You never know who’s going to read it or what they’re going to do with it.

It’s really easy and tempting to share information online, especially on social media sites. Many people share way too much information on social media sites.

Here are some basic rules:

• Don’t post personal information online. This includes your phone number, address, and even your birthdate. These things can give criminals clues that help them break into your accounts and steal your identity.
• Don’t post pictures of your credit cards or cheques, either. Criminals can use these pictures to get the numbers that they need for fraud and theft. If you’re posting pictures of yourself at a restaurant or store, be sure to hide your card and cheque in the picture before you upload it!
• Don’t talk about travel plans on social media. This allows criminals to learn when you’re not going to be at home. While you’re traveling, don’t geotag pictures you upload from vacation except you are no longer there — this can show criminals where you live!

Think twice before clicking on a link or video

Be careful when you open links in emails or online messages that you don’t recognize. If you don’t trust the sender, contact them directly to verify the link.

Be wary of messages asking you to click on links or providing a link to a website that looks familiar but doesn’t seem right. This could mean you’ve been sent a phishing email or that the website is infected with malware.

Do not open attachments from unknown senders. Sending attachments via email can also be risky — they could contain viruses or malicious software, which could harm your computer’s operating system or steal personal information from your computer.

Report online abuse

If you’re online, there’s a good chance that you’ll be exposed to cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse. It happens all the time, from kids being taunted by other kids to adults having racial slurs yelled at them.

The most important thing you can do is report the abuse when it happens. Reporting it as soon as possible will make the authorities aware of it and make it easier for you to get justice.

While you’re reporting the abuse, don’t forget about yourself — though this is less common, many people are targets of harassment just because they’re a member of a particular group or because they’ve done something that makes them attractive prey. It’s important to take care of yourself — if your safety is in danger, report it as soon as possible and lock down your online presence as much as possible while you wait for help to arrive.

Set clear boundaries

Socializing online involves interacting with others through social media, emails, chat rooms, and other digital forums. Social media is an important part of many people’s lives. However, there are times when it can be a source of stress and anxiety.

If you’re worried about your safety while socializing online, you may be able to reduce your anxiety by setting clear boundaries for yourself. This can include: not sharing personal information with strangers or limiting the time you spend on social media.

Here are some ways to reduce your stress and increase your safety while socializing online:

• Set boundaries for yourself: Set limits on what you share online and how much time you spend on social media. This can help protect your privacy and reduce your exposure to cyberbullying or other harmful experiences.
• Block or unfriend anyone who makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable: If someone is harassing you or making inappropriate comments, block them on social media or in any other forum where they contact you. If someone has violated Facebook’s standards, report them to Facebook as soon as possible so they cannot continue to send you messages.

Be Financially smart

We have been hearing stories about people getting cheated online, some are as ridiculous as opening a fake account on social media to lure people into sending money or giving their card details. As we can all see, the world is now going digital and that means that most of our businesses are now done online. Online shopping, online banking, and business transactions are some of the many things that we do on the internet.

The idea of giving out your card details to someone you don’t know can be scary but it’s not always impossible to find legit people online. However, it is advisable to take caution before sending money or giving out information about yourself to anyone you meet online. If you must send money, make sure you get proof of identity before doing so.

When it comes to doing business transactions online, some people have lost their hard-earned cash under dubious circumstances because they weren’t smart enough with the transactions they made online. You might think you have found your perfect match in a business transaction but they could just be another Simon swindler ready to rob you with their fake smiles and promises.

The truth is, there are bad eggs everywhere who are ready to take advantage of any opportunity they have.

Be on alert when meeting up with strangers

Meeting new people can be exciting, but you should always be cautious when interacting with someone you don’t know. Use your best judgment and put your safety first, whether you are exchanging initial messages or meeting in person. While you can’t control the actions of others, there are things you can do to help you stay safe during your Match experience.

Who should I tell about my plans?

Let a friend or family member know where you are going and who will be there. Keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times. Plan ahead so you can leave if things go south, or if someone pressures you for information or behaviour that makes you uncomfortable.

Where should I meet

If possible, arrange to meet up at a public location where you can chat and get to know each other. Once you feel comfortable with the person, you can decide whether or not you want to move forward with your relationship.

Be Web Wise

Do an Internet search for information on the person (using search engines and social networking sites). If there is something suspicious about them or their actions, don’t hesitate to question them about it. If their answers don’t match up or sound false, chances are they’re lying and they’re probably not who they say they are! A good way of finding out more about someone without asking them directly is by looking.

Take a break

Safety can be addressed from different angles, not just physical and financial safety, mental safety is also important. You have to understand that 90% of what you see on social media is not real because everyone is just trying to showcase the best versions of themselves, nobody wants to feel small, so don’t let that pressure or social media clout get to you.

If you’re feeling anxious about your social media use, try taking a break from it. Even if it’s just for a few hours or days, this may help you feel better and more engaged in real life. If you’re not sure where to start, try these tips:

• Know when to log off: Before you start spending time on social media, think about how long you want to spend on it and set a timer or alarm to remind you when the time’s up. If your time limit isn’t enough but you don’t have more time available right now, that’s okay — just set the timer again later in the day or come back tomorrow. This will help build good habits over time so that using social media doesn’t become mindless activity.
• Take breaks from news feeds and notifications. Consider removing the apps from your phone entirely if you feel like the weight is too much on you.

The tips discussed in this article are too narrow to accurately assess the risk of everyone on social media, especially when there are various types of social media ranging from corporate to geographic. However, these tips can help you understand how to protect yourself via social media and stay safe when interacting with people online. Look out for yourself and be careful not to let any unscrupulous individuals hurt or exploit you in any way!