Social media is a public forum. Anyone who visits your profile can see what you post, whether it’s a photo, a status update, or anything else. While this is true for the most part, there are ways to keep some aspects of your social media private. Here are a few tips on how to do just that.
Use a Pseudonym or Nickname
If you’re concerned about your privacy, using a pseudonym or nickname is an excellent way to keep your identity private. This way, if someone searches for your real name, they won’t be able to find you. These you can use on any social media platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
When choosing a pseudonym, be sure to pick something that’s not easily guessed. For example, if your name is John Smith, don’t choose “Smithy” as your nickname.
Change Your Privacy Settings
Most social media platforms have privacy settings that let you control who can see your posts. For example, on Facebook, you can make your profile completely private so that only people who are friends can see what you post. On Twitter, you can choose to protect your account, which means that only people who follow you can see your tweets. On Instagram, you can decide to make your account private, which will hide your photos and videos from anyone who isn’t following you.
Be Careful What You Post
Even if you have changed your privacy settings so that only certain people can see your posts, you must be careful about what you post. Once something is online, it’s out there forever. Someone could have saved it or taken a screenshot even if you deleted a post. So, think twice before posting anything you wouldn’t want the whole world to see.
Use Caution When Accepting Friend Requests
If you’re not careful about who you accept friend requests from, you could be letting strangers into your social media world. So, if you don’t know the person or are unsure why they want to be friends with you, it’s best to err on the side of caution and say no. If someone is persistent, you can permanently block them.
These are just a few ways to keep your online presence private. Using a pseudonym or nickname, changing your privacy settings, and being careful about what you post can maintain some control over your online identity.