You’ll often hear advice going around, on how to keep children safe from the dangers associated with social media.
But what about the potential dangers that adults can be subjected to if they’re not careful with their online habits?
It’s important to be aware and a conscious consumer when it comes to all things related to the internet.
Privacy Issues
To gain access to certain platforms, you have to give up personal information to these sites.
Things such as your email address, date of birth, gender, etc., can then be used to spam you with targeted ads, or even be sold to third party companies to do with as they wish.
And often we give them that permission unknowingly, when we agree to their site terms and conditions, (which hardly anyone reads).
Always be mindful of the information you provide online and who you give it to.
Make sure they are reputable and you’ve put security measures in place to prevent from being hacked.
Catfishing and internet scams
Internet dating sites can be a great place to meet people, but they can also be a place where the vulnerable are preyed upon and taken advantage of.
Adults of all ages looking for love or friendship, if not careful, could find themselves talking to someone who are not who they say they are (catfishing). Promising the world, and then swindling them out of their entire life savings.
Protect your personal information, passwords and banking details and do not share this sensitive information so readily.
The negative effects on mental health
There’s no denying that with the advancement of technology, it has made it easier to socialise online.
The trouble with these social media platforms is that it’s also increased the scale of compete and comparison among adults.
The term “keeping up with the Joneses” is still just as prevalent with platforms like Instagram, where everyone is “living their best life”, creating lifestyle or body envy. Thus giving birth to the negative mental cycle of compare and despair. Wishing to travel the world, to have a sexier body or be as happy as that person looks.
It’s important to remember what you see is only the highlight reel.
By no means is this a comprehensive list, but by being a more conscious user of social media, it can help to reduce the impact some of these dangers have on our personal lives.
Moon Lane Media 