Social media is where we connect, share, and express ourselves. But every post, like, and selfie is a data point — and sometimes, a risk. Oversharing can expose you to scams, identity theft, stalking, or professional consequences.
Social media hygiene means knowing what to share — and what to keep private.
Why It Matters?
Cybercriminals, data brokers, advertisers, and even strangers can gather a detailed profile of you from your social media activity. This info can be used for:
- Phishing and impersonation
- Guessing passwords or security questions
- Social engineering scams
- Job application screening
- Location tracking and stalking
The line between personal and public is blurrier than ever.
Information You Should Avoid Sharing
🆔 Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
- Full name, address, phone number
- Date of birth
- Passport or ID numbers
- Email addresses used for logins
🧠 Clues for Password Recovery Questions
- Mother’s maiden name
- Pet’s name
- First school, first car, favorite color
- Birthplace or anniversary dates
🗺️ Live Location or Travel Plans
- “At the airport heading to Rome!”
- Check-ins, geotagged stories, or photos showing your address
- Posts about being home alone or away for long periods
💳 Financial or Workplace Details
- Paychecks or new job contracts
- Credit cards, tax documents, or salary screenshots
- Internal company info, even casually
👶 Children’s Photos and Info
- Full names, schools, or birthdays
- Unblurred faces in public posts
- Routine schedules
🔐 Remember: What feels “private” might still be publicly accessible depending on your privacy settings.
Best Practices for Healthier Sharing
✅ Set your profiles to private – especially on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
✅ Limit who can see your posts and stories (use Close Friends or private lists)
✅ Disable location tagging by default
✅ Avoid accepting friend requests from people you don’t know
✅ Don’t post in real time – delay vacation or event photos until you’re home
✅ Google yourself periodically to see what’s publicly visible
What About Professional Networks? (e.g., LinkedIn)
Even on business platforms:
- Avoid listing your full work schedule or internal projects
- Be mindful of oversharing career frustrations or layoffs
- Don’t accept connection requests blindly — some fake recruiters harvest info
🔗 Learn more: LinkedIn Privacy Settings
Further Reading and Resources
EFF – Surveillance Self-Defense: Social Media