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Social Media Safety

Social Media Safety

Billions of people use social media every day. The risks are real — but so are the safeguards.

4.9B
people use social media worldwide - over half the planet
1 in 4
accounts have been hacked or compromised at some point
3 hrs
average daily time spent on social media by adults globally

The 10 Rules of Social Media Safety

Build safe habits that protect your privacy, reputation and relationships online.

1
Set all accounts to private
Do not allow strangers to see your posts, stories, followers or tagged photos. Review settings on every platform you use.
2
Only accept people you know
Do not accept friend or follow requests from strangers. A mutual friend is not enough — verify you know them personally.
3
Use a strong, unique password
Never reuse your social media password elsewhere. Enable two-factor authentication on every account.
4
Think before you post
Once something is online, you cannot fully remove it. Screenshots exist forever. Apply the 24-hour rule to anything sensitive.
5
Never share your location in real time
Avoid posting "live" location updates or check-ins. Wait until you have left a place before sharing you were there.
6
Be sceptical of direct messages
Unsolicited messages with links, offers or requests for personal information are almost always scams.
7
Review tagged photos and mentions
Turn on tag review so you can approve posts before they appear on your profile.
8
Do not overshare personal details
Your full birthday, phone number, home address, workplace and school should never appear on a public profile.
9
Log out on shared devices
Always log out after using social media on a shared or public computer. Never save passwords on shared devices.
10
Report and block abuse
Use platform reporting tools for harassment, fake accounts and inappropriate content. Then block the person.

Platform Privacy Settings Guide

Instagram
Account Privacy: Private
Story Sharing: Off for non-followers
Activity Status: Off
Close Friends list for sensitive posts
Block unknown followers
Facebook
Profile: Friends only
Future posts default: Friends
Who can find you: Friends of friends
Face recognition: Off
Apps with access: Review and remove
TikTok
Account: Private
Duet and Stitch: Friends only
Direct Messages: Friends only
Download your videos: Off
Suggest account to others: Off
Snapchat
Who can contact me: My Friends
Who can see my story: My Friends
See my location: Ghost Mode On
Quick Add: Off
Two-factor authentication: On
X / Twitter
Protected posts: On
Photo tagging: Off
Discoverability: Off
Direct messages: Only people you follow
Location information: Off
WhatsApp
Last seen: Nobody or My Contacts
Profile photo: My Contacts Only
About: My Contacts Only
Groups: My Contacts Only
Two-step verification: On

Your Digital Footprint

Everything you post online contributes to your digital footprint - a permanent record that employers, universities, and future partners can find. In Bermuda's close-knit community, your online reputation matters enormously.

Before posting, ask yourself: would you be comfortable if your employer, parents, or a future university admissions officer saw this? If in doubt - do not post.

The 24-Hour Rule

Before posting anything sensitive, emotional, or controversial - wait 24 hours. If you still think it is a good idea after a day of reflection, post it. Most of the time, you will decide not to.

Never share publicly:
Your home or school address
Travel dates or plans (while away)
Financial information or bank details
Passwords or account details
Intimate or private images

Experiencing abuse on social media?

Harassment, threats, stalking and image abuse on social media are serious — and in many cases criminal. Report it to us and to the platform.

File a Report
1-441-777-0875

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