I used to be obsessed with social media platforms and was always keen to snap photos when I was at events, restaurants, or hanging out with friends. My outfits were picked out with the sole intention of always being “Instagrammable” and my thoughts were consumed with caption ideas that would elicit comments, and perhaps a cheeky DM or two.
As I’ve gotten older and wiser (said by a 21-year-old university student), I have come to value my privacy more and started to distance myself from social media. However, as a sorority woman and active Her Campus gal, it can be challenging to find a balance between supporting the organizations you love online, and keeping yourself off the web. Particularly in an era where critical information is largely shared online, it’s hard to prioritize privacy over knowledge when there is so much to learn.
Here are a few tips on improving your privacy as a 21st-century young adult!
- Monitor your privacy settings and cater them to your wants and needs
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So many sites have automatic privacy settings when you sign up that you (though I should say we) just blindly agree to. Take time to review your social media preferences and alter your settings to reflect your comfort level in terms of public and domain accessibility.
- Don’t just delete an app, delete your account
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I’ve tried out and used so many different platforms, and I often end up just deleting the app when I realize it’s not for me or when I get bored of the content. But those posts and photos remain active, so make sure to delete your account and remove all content if you are sure you are done with a profile. AKA, me deleting my dating apps every other week — it’s an issue, I’m aware.
- Have a friend look at your page and see what information they would be able to collect on you
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Think of it like peer-editing – or peer-stalking. Have a friend or family member who knows you well look over your digital media profiles and have them gather some dirt on you. Is it clear where you live? Where you work or go to school? Now, these aren’t necessarily bad things to be sharing online, but it’s a good idea to have a hold on your digital footprint and to know the size and scope of it.
If you’ve never Googled yourself, first of all, stop lying. Second of all, what were the results like? I always feel slimy learning that so much of my life, both public and private, is online and accessible.
No one needs to know that my family used to vacation in Hilton Head every August; it’s really not necessary to know that. Though I suppose I just willingly shared that here. Great beaches, but I think the photos of me sunburnt in 7th grade wearing Bermuda shorts from Old Navy can stay private.
- Refine your followers
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As a sixteen-year-old, having a following on social media was a must. I truly thought I would wake up one day with the success of YouTube sensations Emma Chamberlain and David Dobrik (because my life as a Southern Ontario teen was definitely comparable). I would let people that I somewhat knew, or even just thought I knew, follow me. It was all about the numbers, the likes, the comments.
Now, I am more skeptical of a random follow request because I am quite literally the most boring Gen-Z ever; you will not be gaining anything from following me, and there is no need to further the scope of who has access to my online life. Again, it’s also just very boring and very minimal content — so why would I need a crazy follower count? I’ve clearly given up on the possibility of my Vlogger fame.
- Consider the permanency of digital media
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While I may be a Type-A rule follower, I’d like to think that my caution towards sharing online is for the best; not just in terms of privacy and safety, but it’s important to think about employability and reputation. Being a collegiate, I often saw posts or stories that friends would share and think, “Wow, cute pic, but I could never post that.”
A somewhat irrational fear I have is that I will suddenly develop an urge to run for some political office and the opposition will find my Instagram from 9th grade and somehow use this as campaign capital against me. Despite this bizarre fear, it’s also just smart to keep the content PG — if you wouldn’t want your employer (or your grandma) to see it, don’t post it.
Gen-Z’s, millennials, and even baby boomers alike – in this culture of oversharing, don’t feel compelled to do the same. Be bold, be different, and don’t share that in-depth Facebook post about your newborn. Just don’t do it. Take hold of your media privacy and become the cool, mysterious girl who cares about her life but just doesn’t share every aspect of it online.