New technologies and innovations may have created fresh possibilities in both our work and personal lives, but they have raised some other vital issues and questions too.
The level of safety and security around electronic devices, digital services, and the online realm has been a real talking point for decades now and one area that always attracts plenty of attention in the world of social media.
Safety advice
This is, of course, understandable considering just how many of us use such platforms on a daily basis. Facebook, Twitter, and many more are often our go-tos for information, entertainment, and checking in with friends, but there is lots of discussion about staying safe when using them.
While threats of cyberbullying, hacking and confidential data leaks are pretty intimidating for the average internet user, there are numerous ways that we can strive to protect ourselves online. These methods aren’t necessarily foolproof, but they allow us to reinstate some control over our social media profiles and content.
ExpressVPN’s useful infographic on staying safe and private on social media platforms features a range of tips on how to enjoy the online space without giving too much away. It proposes using multiple accounts and tailoring content for different audiences, as well as only tagging a location after you have left. You can also remove metadata and geolocation data before posting publicly, while you could require approvals for tags. Another suggestion is to avoid linking different social media accounts, as this would limit how much companies know about you.
These simple and straightforward methods are worth taking note of and sharing with friends: they won’t stop perpetrators, but they’ll certainly deter them and make their jobs harder.
New content concerns
While there may be steps that individuals can personally take on the matter of social media safety, a new survey published in the UK has highlighted how there is an appetite for companies to do more. For example, the government-commissioned study by Ipsos has examined the issue of content on social media sites and highlighted some intriguing findings.
The research found that 84 percent of adults are both aware and afraid of content that may be harmful online. It also revealed that many individuals want to see action, as 68 percent believe social media companies should do more to protect people. Other findings hinted at a desire for greater transparency, as four in five people also stated that they want the organizations to be clear about what content is allowed on their platforms.
In addition, the study highlighted that women have significant concerns about harmful content, as some feel unsafe when using dating or messaging apps. Furthermore, 65 percent agreed there should be restrictions on the types of content that can be posted.
A real talking point
The reach and impact of social media platforms are simply undeniable. Back in 2020, a report by Hootsuite found that 3.96 billion people use social media, with that being around 51 percent of the world’s population.
These are truly remarkable figures and they underline just why safety and security are major talking points. The recent UK survey has put a real spotlight back on attitudes around the issue and it will be interesting to see how the matter develops across the coming months and years. Whatever the future holds for social media, it looks like safety is going to remain high on the agenda.
