A previous article about using technology to keep children safe got me thinking more about security and todayโs internet landscape. While the internet is a great place to be โ especially with so many fashion and parenting resources we can now access โ it is still necessary to take extra steps and stay safe while browsing the World Wide Web.
Fortunately, internet security doesnโt have to be difficult. After talking to a couple of experts and doing a bit more research, Iโve discovered some handy online safety tips that I think every mom should know. We are going to discuss these top three online safety tips in this article.
Review Your Privacy Settings Regularly
It is not uncommon for social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to change the way they handle privacy. Facebook did it not too long ago when they completely revamped their privacy settings. Twitter is adding new features that allow you to mute certain keywords or block certain people from accessing your profile.
The best thing to do is review your privacy settings regularly. Some platforms are more active in reminding their users to check the privacy settings. Google, for instance, regularly reminds its users to review the security and privacy settings every six months. Other platforms are not so active in reminding their users, so you have to be more aware of the changes they make and how they affect your online privacy.
Regularly changing your passwords is also a good habit to get into. Ideally, you want to change your social media passwords every six months or so for maximum security. There are tools such as 1Password that will help you manage passwords seamlessly, so you donโt have to worry about memorizing new passwords every time.
Be Smart About Hoaxes and Scams
Unfortunately, there are more hoaxes and fake news stories on the internet than ever before. The worrying increase of negative content means you also need to be smarter when handling it. There are ways to verify if the news or articles you read are valid. For starters, you can try to do a Google Image Search when seeing an image associated with news from an untrusted source.
There are also sites that specialize in fact-checking the latest news. These sites will help you separate good content from the rest, allowing you to be safer whenever you are online.
Engage Positively
The best way to stay safe online, however, is by showing a positive attitude. When engaging other social media users, always use the same positive approach you use when communicating with others offline. Be kind and others will be kind to you.
Many celebrities and social media influencers use this approach to minimize negative interactions online. I often see Michael Palance, Hollywood actor and producer, engaging his followers in this manner. More importantly, always remember that you have the option to ignore the negative comments and other bad online contents directed at you.
Use these three tips to keep your online life safe and positive. They are very simple to apply, but also very effective in keeping your internet experience positive.
