5 essential social media safety tips to protect your online privacy

Let’s face it: Social media can seem like a minefield. Between over-sharing personal details, friend requests from strangers, and sneaky scams landing in your DMs, it’s easy to put yourself at risk without even realizing it. But staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few smart settings and habits, you can enjoy social media without giving up more than you intended.

Settings and menus on social media platforms can change over time and may vary by device (iOS vs. Android vs. web) or region. The steps below were accurate at time of publication, but you may see slightly different wording or paths depending on updates, app version, or mobile device manufacturer.

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How to remove your personal information from people search sites

1) Turn off location sharing

Many apps automatically tag your posts with your location. This can let strangers know your routine or even your home address.

How to turn off Share location

On iPhone

• Go to Settings.
• Click Privacy and security.
• handle Location services.
• Then choose program.
• Set it to “never” or “While using the application.”

on android

(SSettings may vary depending on your Android phone manufacturer.)

• Go to Settings.
• handle location.
• Click Application permissions.
• Then select program And change the site on Or select Do not allow.

Note: Some apps may still have “While using the app” or “Just this once” permission. Therefore, you should check each app individually, especially camera and social media apps, for location permissions.

Pro Tip: Even turning off location just for your camera app helps prevent photos from carrying hidden location data.

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2) Use a private account

A private account means that only people you approve can see your posts and photos. Think of it like putting a lock on your front door.

How to set private accounts

Facebook

• Go to Settings and privacy.
• handle Settings.
• Scroll to Audience and visibility (or your activity) to divide.
• Click Supports.
• Search for “Who can see your future posts?” And set it to friends.

Instagram

• Click on your Introductory account.
• Click on List (☰).
• handle Account privacy.
• employment Private account.

Tik Tok

• Go to your Introductory account.
• Click on List (☰).
• He chooses Settings and privacy.
• handle privacy.
• employment Private account.

X (formerly Twitter)

• Click your Profile icon At the top left of the screen.
• It opens Settings and privacy.
• He chooses Privacy and security.
• handle Audience and labeling.
• Switch Protect your posts (or protect your Tweets).
• Once enabled, Approved followers only We can see your posts.

Snapchat

• It opens Settings (gear icon).
• Scroll to Privacy controls.
• Under ‘Who can’, set options such as Contact me, see my story and See me on Quick Add Friends only.

YouTube

• Go to your YouTube studio (Desktop or mobile app).
• When uploading, set the visibility to Private or unlisted.
• For existing videos, open Videos Settings and Change visionAs needed.

Note: Entire channels can’t be made private, only individual videos.

LinkedIn

• Click on your Profile picture
• Settings.
• Go to Vision.
• Under Profile viewing options, select Private mode.
• You can also control who can see your connections and activity under “Visibility of your LinkedIn activity.”

3) Report suspicious accounts

Fake profiles are everywhere. Scammers may pose as friends, celebrities, or even customer service representatives. Reporting it helps keep you (and others) safe.

How to report an account

Facebook

• Go to Fake or impersonated profile.
• Click on Three-point list (options).
• He chooses Find support or Report profile.
• Choose A a reasonlike pretending to be someone else.
• Follow On-screen prompts To submit the report.

Instagram

• Go to Introductory account.
• Click on Three-point list.
• He chooses a report.
• Choose A a reason.
• Follow On-screen instructions To complete the report.

Tik Tok

• Open Introductory account.
• handle List of three points (Or sometimes Share icon).
• He chooses a report.
• He chooses Report the account.
• Select a reason.
• Submit the report.

X (formerly Twitter)

• Go to AAccount profile.
• Press RTriple point or Surplus symbol.
• He chooses a report.
• Choose Case type.
• If you’re reporting an entire profile rather than a single post, select Report @username From the personal page.

YouTube

• Go to Channel page.
• Click on About tab (on desktop) or Three-point list (on mobile).
• He chooses a report.
• Choose a reason.
• Submit the report.

Snapchat

• Go to User profile.
• Click on Three-point list or Gear symbol.
• He chooses a report.
• Choose a reason.
• Submit the report.

LinkedIn

• Visit The profile is fake or suspicious.
• Click on More button (or Three points).
• He chooses Report abuse.
• Select a a reason and Follow the prompts.

Pro Tip: Don’t just block. Report the alerts to the platform so they can remove the account for everyone.

4) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even if someone steals your password, two-factor authentication (2FA) makes it difficult for them to hack it. It adds an extra step, like a code sent in a text message to your phone.

How to enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Facebook

• Go to Menu And specify Settings and privacythen Settings.
• Press AAccounts Center.
• Then click Password and security.
• handle Two-factor authentication.
• You may be asked to do so Choose an account to set up two-factor authentication.
• Choose your Preferred methodlike Authentication applicationOr text message or security key and follow On-screen instructions.

Instagram

• Go to your Introductory account And open Settings.
• Click Accounts Center.
• He chooses Password and security.
• then Two-factor authentication.
• You may be asked to do so Choose an account to set up two-factor authentication.
• Choose your Preferred methodlike Authentication applicationOr text message or security key and follow On-screen instructions.

Tik Tok

• Go to your Introductory account.
• Then sMenu pen.
• He chooses Settings and privacy.
• then, Security and permissions.
• handle Two-step verification.
• Choose one or more Verification methodssuch as a text message, email, or Authentication application.
• Click employment.
• Follow the prompts To finish setup.

X (formerly Twitter)

• Click your Introductory account At the top left of the screen.
• It opens Settings and privacy.
• He chooses Security and account accessthen protection.
• handle Two-factor authentication.
• Choose your Preferred methodsuch as a text message, authentication application, or security key.
• Follow the steps To turn it on.

Note: SMS verification on X may only be available to paid (premium) users or in certain regions. If SMS is not available, you can still use an authenticator app or physical security key for two-factor authentication.

Pro Tip: Use an authentication application (eg Google Authenticator or Authy) instead of text messages for stronger protection.

5) Verify your photos before posting

Your photos may reveal more than you think — house numbers, car license plates, or even vacation details that indicate you’re away from home.

Quick fixes before deployment

• Crop or blur backgrounds Which shows personal details.
• Avoid posting in real time While traveling. Wait until she comes back.
• Review old posts To make sure you don’t unintentionally share private information.

Social media verification systems are losing steam as scammers buy checkmarks to appear legitimate

Bonus tip: Keep personal information confidential

Every time you post, share or comment online, you’re leaving little clues about your life, and scammers are good at putting these pieces together. The less information scammers can find about you, the weaker their scams become.

Many impersonators use general details such as your hometown, workplace, or family connections to create fake profiles that appear trustworthy. Even information like your email address or phone number can be exploited if it is spread on the Internet.

A personal data removal service can help reduce this risk by deleting your personal data from people search sites and data brokers. Although there is no perfect solution, reducing your digital footprint makes you a more difficult target for impersonation and social engineering scams. These services actively monitor and systematically remove your information from hundreds of sites, saving you time and giving you peace of mind.

Protecting your online privacy isn’t just about what you share on social media; It’s also about controlling what’s already there. Limiting this data means that fraudsters cannot easily cross-reference your information with data from breaches or the dark web.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free check to see if your personal information really exists on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

Get a free check to see if your personal information is already on the web: CyberGuy.com.

Key takeaways for Kurt

Staying safe on social media doesn’t mean deleting your accounts; It’s about taking control of your information. Turning off location sharing keeps your whereabouts private. Switching to a private account gives you a greater role in deciding who sees your posts. Being careful about friend requests and direct messages will help you avoid scams. Double-checking your photos before posting prevents over-sharing. With a few quick settings and habits, you can enjoy social media with peace of mind.

Have you ever discovered a scam or fake account online? Tell us what happened by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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