Maybe deadly is a strong word. Perhaps I should title this post "Don't Click That" because that's what this is going to be.
I'm not looking to hurt feelings, judge or reprimand. But some of y'all can clog up a newsfeed pretty good when you get rolling.
Also, never forget that when you do anything on the Internet, it's never private. It's out floating in the ether for someone to snag and use to steal your identity, steal your credit, make you look foolish.
So with that thought, here's my PSA for the year in seven simple steps.
1. If you're on Facebook and it says you can click here to claim a prize, don't. You will not get a free meal at Olive Garden, no gift card to Walgreens. Nada. This is a company just phishing for your information.
Any company worth it's salt on Facebook will let you know when you're entering a contest and will request permission to interact with you. It is not as simple as a click.
2. You will not save a child with cancer, a dog with three legs or let Jesus know how much you love him by clicking like or sharing a picture.
One day, someone on Facebook liked a picture of a disfigured dog that had been abused and I almost lost my lunch. Yes it's terrible. No living thing should be treated like that. Does it need to be on Facebook? Probably not. Use good judgment.
3. Whenever you like, comment or do anything on Facebook, everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) on your friend list can see that activity. Keep this in mind if you don't want the world to know what you think of the latest gossip from the grapevine.
4. Change your password. Often. If you are still using the same password from three years ago, not a good thing. By changing up your passwords, you lessen the risk of hacking and someone posting inappropriate things on your feed. I have a reminder set for changing my password every three months.
5. If you like a picture in my Facebook profile from four years ago, I know you're just being nosy and trolling through my stuff.
That's fine. I never put anything up on Facebook that I would be embarrassed by but still, that's a bit sketchy. You have that much time on your hands?
Lesson: You can be nosy but be discreet.
6. I have this horrible dream that someone will post a picture of me from middle school and tag me in it so EVERYBODY on Facebook will see it and make fun of me.
Yeah I'm being dramatic but honestly, do you want people you haven't spoken to in 20 years uploading pictures of you to Facebook? You can't stop that but you can keep them from appearing in your timeline or newsfeed. A good rule of thumb is to set up an approval system for all photos of you on Facebook. Check out the first item on this list to learn how to do it.
Photo tagging on Facebook.
7. And last but not least - privacy settings. Learn them, love them, use them.
We all use Facebook for different reasons (some just for play, some for work, some for both) but YOU should be the one to decide how your information is seen.
For instance, my Facebook is set that only friends can see my posts and pictures. Even if someone shared a picture of mine, it cannot be seen by people that aren't already friends with me. I'm not on Facebook to share my life with every living soul. Or to have you do it for me.
And again, I'll direct you to this link to learn how to use your privacy settings well.
10 Settings Every User Needs to Know
It's a brave new world out there people. Know your onions.
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