Today, we live in a world dominated by machines. We communicate using machines. We live on the luxurious lap of machines. We are so connected to the machines that we cannot deny their existence.

Everything is changing.

Businesses are going cashless. Universities are going classroom-less. Libraries are fitting in our pockets. Lovers are dating online. Families dine together connected by social networks.

Our World has become so small with the advent of social networks.

In this post, I am going to share some tips that everyone can adopt while using social media.

You control your information

Every social networking sites ask for your identity to use them. Say Facebook, you register with your name. Say WhatsApp, you register with your phone number.

Many sites would ask for your birthday or photo(s) to create a user profile.

Most of the content in social networking sites are fed by users. For them, users are both their clients and ‘products’.

Photos, videos or audio files that one may upload can be downloaded and used by another on the other side of the world.

In short, what you do on social networks can be seen by people you may or may not know. People to whom you do not intend to show may see it.

It is in your hands whether you want to disclose it or not. No one has ‘control’ over it, but you.

On the Internet, Nobody Knows You’re a Dog.

On the internet, either you can be a dog, or you are communicating with a dog.

Everyone can go online. One can meet anyone from any corners of the world. Thus, know who the ‘dog’ is on the other side.

Protect your children. Monitor who your children are communicating with. Be aware of the sites your children visit.

How is it possible that I’m in Her Selfie?

When you share any content, make sure that you do not expose others privacy. What you want to ‘expose’ can be another’s private matter.

‘Sharing’ is loving but getting consent is respect. If the content you are intending to share in social media involves other people or others property, always get consent or permission.

Oh, he is in a nightclub!

People may not wish to share where they spent their last night.   A gentleman may not wish to let his lady know he was in a night club last night.

So, while sharing the content that contains location information, verify the content. If it contains another entity, say another person or property, get consent from the rightful person or owner.

How did I get this clip?

‘Sharing’ is loving but you cannot share poison. Never share content that may affect others sentiment and the content that is obscene. Obscene content may go viral, but it is not legal.

Do not store any obscene content in electronic storages, for example, pen drives. If you store it, unintentionally anything can happen.

Be extra careful with the intimate photos, videos or audio files that you created with your loved ones. Know how to protect such content or never create such content.

Conclusion

Social networks are for humanity. It should not propagate hatred in society. If you know how to use it, it is an inevitable boon. Know how to protect yourselves and others on the Internet – common sense is respect.

The world is happier the closer humans get. 

Right to information is every individual’s franchise but security is everyone’s responsibility.