How to Stop Sharing Too Much Personal Info Online

Sharing too much information online can be dangerous because it puts your privacy and security at risk, leading to problems like identity theft or stalking. Whether you’re using social media or a dating app, it’s important to understand the consequences of criminals gaining access to your personal details.

Oversharing can also affect your safety and even cause financial loss. Always think before you post, and control your audience by limiting who can view your profile. Avoid mentioning your exact location, and be cautious with the photos you share; details like your home address, car number, or driver’s license can easily be misused.

Below are some useful tips and warnings to help you avoid oversharing on social media platforms:

Tip 1: Be Aware of Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking

Educate the people around you about cyberbullying and cyberstalking. Cyberstalking is a form of cyberbullying where someone tries to damage another person’s reputation by sending abusive messages or images. Oversharing your personal information online can lead to a constant state of upset or fear, and can lead to some major, long-lasting problems.

Be careful while signing up with your full name, ID, and password or photo for social media apps and services online. If you’ve experienced something unusual, immediately report the incident to a parent or a teacher, and always remember to take a screenshot of everything you saw as a record. 

Tip 2: Think About Your Personal Safety

Think before you post on any social media platform, either on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Be mindful of the potential consequences of sharing information, especially sensitive details, before publishing it online.

Watch your tone online and ensure your interactions reflect the reputation you want to maintain. Restrict access and posts to only those you trust. Ensure your personal information, like your address and phone number, is not publicly accessible. Stay calm and respectful, even if the feedback is harsh from the public audience.

Tip 3: Not Everything Needs a Login

Think twice before logging into an app or website with your social media or Google account; consider if it’s truly necessary. Avoid entering sensitive details like your email and password on unfamiliar or untrusted websites.

Tip 4: Keep Your Private Information Private

Turn off location services on your devices when not in use, especially for social media apps, as they can reveal your whereabouts and routines.

Avoid sharing information online that could be used to answer security questions, such as hometowns, high school, or pets’ names. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. Make sure to check the identity of anyone requesting your personal information, especially over the phone or via email.

Tip 5: Don’t Accept Follow Requests From Strangers

Accepting a follow request from a stranger automatically gives them access to your profile, posts, photos, and other information, depending on your privacy settings. They may be able to see your location and other sensitive information about your life, which sometimes puts you at risk. Fraudsters may create fake profiles pretending to be you, send phishing links, or lure people into scams like fake investments. You may get inappropriate messages, comments, or unsolicited contact from strangers.

Be cautious of suspicious requests, emails, links, and attachments as they could be phishing attempts designed to steal your information. Close down your social media accounts you no longer use to reduce the amount of data associated with you. 

Tip 6: Remember Snapchat Stories Don’t Disappear

Snaps may vanish after a set time, but they can still be screenshotted or recorded, raising privacy risks and spreading embarrassing content. The pressure to maintain Snapstreaks and seek validation through views and reactions can negatively affect self-esteem and mental well-being. 

Viewers can easily save snaps using screenshots or screen recording apps, which makes your content potentially permanent. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of personal details should I avoid posting?

Avoid sharing government ID numbers, bank details, passwords, your first paycheck, lottery winnings, or any proof of financial status. Home or work address, phone number, personal email, current locations, vacation plans, private conversations, embarrassing or intimate photos, and even photos of your minors must be avoided.

What are the risks of sharing too much information on social media?

Sharing everything on social media can be detrimental, which leads to privacy breaches, identity theft, and negative impacts on mental health. While social media is a great platform to connect and express yourself, oversharing is not considered good. The constant need for likes and validation can cause social media addiction, leading to anxiety, stress, or sadness. Sharing information like your current location can alert criminals to when your home is empty, making you a target for theft or stalking.

How can I control what I share without quitting social media completely?

Below are some tips that can help you control your oversharing on social media without completely quitting it:

• Try to post less to leave a smaller digital footprint and convey less of your personal information.
• Unfollow or mute negative accounts.
• Disable read receipts and activity status.
• Use the audience selector to limit who sees your post. Add only close ones rather than your entire network.
• Follow positive, inspiring accounts.
• Move apps from the home screen and disable notifications.