While social networking sites allow people to market themselves and their products or services, they can be dangerous too. Sharing too much about yourself will make you vulnerable to identity theft, unhealthy relationships at home and work, mental harm, and even physical damage to your body. Let’s see a few things you should not post to Facebook or any other social networking site.
Things you should not be sharing on Social Media
You should definitely not be posting the following things on your personal social profile for obvious reasons. Over-sharing can bring its own set of problems now or in the future.
- Personal data
- Info about your family-life
- Your children’s information
- Traveling and vacation information
- Financial Information
- Information used for account recovery
- Location on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
- Inappropriate images
- Workplace rants
- Unverified News.
1) Personal data
Sharing things like social security numbers, Social Security or Aadhar card numbers, PAN card, etc., is a strict no-no. Stay away from publishing such information so that bad guys cannot track you over the Internet.
There is absolutely no reason why you’d want to share such information on a social networking site unless you are talking to close friends. But remember that if the visibility of such a post is set to Friends, it often means Friends of Friends. Read about Off-Facebook Privacy Activity Settings.
2) Info about your family-life
Your domestic life encapsulates many things. If you have a problem with someone in your family, meet with them and settle the issue outside of Facebook. Posting such information may invite harmful entities. You won’t want to become the talk of the town, showcasing yourself in a negative light.
Also, do not answer questions that ask you to share your pet’s name, Mothers’s maiden name, etc.
3) Your children’s information
Don’t mention what school or nursery they go to. Keep their pictures away from Facebook and other social networking sites. Such information can be used against the kids. A few examples of possible harm could be kidnapping, abuse, and molestation. There are instances where children’s photos were used on X-rated websites
4) Traveling and vacation information
Vacation information posted to Facebook can invite thieves to your home. Many people post their vacation information to Facebook to impress their friends. Some go a step further and leave their house address or phone number visible on their profile. If you post saying you and your family will go to Hawaii for a week, you are broadcasting that no one will be at your house. It serves as a welcome note to thieves.
5) Financial Information
Why would you want to post your credit or debit card details to Facebook?! I have seen people sharing images of their credit cards on Facebook. Such acts reveal your card number, card expiry date, and the name on the card.
Don’t share bank details on Facebook. If it is absolutely necessary, communicate this information via a PM or email. But remember that sharing the PIN may prove disastrous. Also, remember that bank people calling or chatting with you will not ask for your PIN or such sensitive information.
6) Information used for account recovery
Among other things, you should not post to Facebook, information used for online verification: Your mother’s maiden name, the name of your first pet, the school you attended as a child, and information that is used to recover accounts that are broken. If you have clicked on Forgot Password on any site, the site may ask you to provide such secret information before it resets your password or allows you to continue with whatever you were doing. It is obvious that such information can help you in losing your online accounts so don’t do it.
7) Location on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
Checking in to different places sounds cool. “I am at Hotel Royal room number 1003. Come and harm me.” You would not say that literally but posting location information is not good either.
If you have been posting and sharing your location always, bad guys can see past trends to predict your future plans. Sharing your location may also invite stalkers who may harm you.
8) Inappropriate images
Never ever share improper photographs on Facebook. An example is sending nudes or provocative photos to Facebook. Even if you delete it later, it might already have traveled through multiple phones and third-party websites. If those images are too explicit, you may also receive blackmail calls.
When sharing images that you deem proper, make sure you turn off geotagging for better personal security.
Read: How to protect your Privacy on Social Media and Internet
9) Workplace rants
Some people post their daily workplace experiences on Facebook. Sometimes they get drunk at night and post things about a colleague or the boss. You may think it is safe, but it is not so. Even if the colleague and boss are not following you on Facebook, it is possible that someone tags that colleague or the boss in comments, from where they can view what you wrote about them.
This thing can also backfire if you are looking for a job. Some companies insist on applicants’ social media profiles before hiring them. There is a high chance that HRs will reject your application because of the rants.
10) Unverified News
If you receive some news that fires you up, you’re likely to post it on your Facebook timeline and in your groups. Unverified news is termed rumors. You may get an appointment with the cops if they find you spreading fake news or rumors. Fake news not only harms your reputation but may also serve as a catalyst, adding fuel to already burning issues.
It is not acceptable to post threats on social media. Whether directed at friends, family, colleagues, politicians, or celebrities, threatening others is never okay. Social media should not be used as a platform to hurl any form of threats, regardless of one’s dislike towards someone else. It is important to refrain from wishing harm to others and avoid engaging in such behavior online. It is also not advisable to share personal information online, such as phone numbers, birthdates, names of pets, or details about your high school. Cyber thieves are becoming increasingly skilled at gathering information. Protect yourself by refraining from sharing clues that could compromise your password security.
In short:
Avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as your address, phone number, family details, car information, passwords, work history, credit status, social security numbers, birthdate, school names, passport info, driver’s license number, insurance policy numbers, loan details, and credit/debit card numbers. Keep sensitive data private to prevent identity theft and other potential risks.
It is also not advisable to post content about politics, race, or religion on social media as it can lead to arguments and conflicts with unfamiliar individuals. While it may be tempting to express your thoughts, volatile topics can provoke unpredictable, unstable responses. Avoid engaging with controversial links, articles, or updates to maintain a positive online presence.
These are just 10 things you should not post on social media. What else would you never share with social networking sites?
Read: Dangers and Consequences of Oversharing On Social Media.
Facebook is a not-so-secure social networking site.
Most of its privacy settings are hidden and not known to general users. You just don’t know where your post may end up. There are third-party websites that live off data on companies like Google & Facebook. They collect interesting posts and put them up for the public to view. Thus, even if you delete the post from Facebook, it may still appear on remote parts of Facebook and third-party websites.
Want to know – What information is available about me on the internet when online?
