Why You Should Think Twice Before Posting Your Holiday Snaps!
If you’re a Facebook fiend, Twitterholic, a prolific Pinterest poster, or an incorrigible Instagrammer, it’s probably second nature to post your latest adventures on social media for the world to see. It’s never been easier to snap a photo or post a comment that can be instantly viewed by friends, colleagues and more.
“Here I am on holiday! Having a great time!”—posting an update on your timeline has become the modern-day equivalent of sending out a postcard. The difference? Social media posts are instant and can be seen by a much wider audience, often including people you don’t know personally. The consequences of this might not always be front of mind.
Why You Should Think Twice Before Posting Your Holiday Snaps!
Posting that you’re away from home can be a dream come true for burglars. A quick scroll through your timeline can reveal plenty of information, such as your location, your social circle and how long you’ll be away. While burglars might not know your exact address from a post, they can often gauge where you live by piecing together clues from previous posts—such as that photo of you and your family outside your house or your mention of the neighbour at number 32.
Burglars today aren’t always opportunistic, waiting to spot an open window. Some use sophisticated methods, including social media, to choose their targets. They may follow you on social platforms to gather information and with the increasing use of geotagging—where platforms show the location of your post—it’s easy for criminals to gauge how long you’ll be away from home.
How to Stay Safe on Social Media
If you don’t want to inadvertently advertise your absence, here are a few tips to keep you safe:
- Turn off location sharing: Avoid posting with location tags. Many platforms allow you to turn off geotagging, so make sure your posts aren’t showing exactly where you are.
- Check your privacy settings: Adjust your social media settings so that your posts are only shared with close friends and family. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow you to create lists or ‘close friends’ groups, limiting who can see your updates.
- Hold off on posting: While it’s tempting to share your holiday snaps in real-time, it might be wiser to wait until you’re back home. That way, you’re not advertising that your house is unoccupied.
- Be mindful of oversharing: Avoid posting too much personal information online, such as your address or details about your daily routines. Burglars can piece together small bits of information over time.
Stay Smart, Stay Safe
We often take our use of social media for granted and while it’s a fantastic tool for staying connected, it’s also important to be mindful of the risks. Just as you wouldn’t announce to strangers in person that you’re leaving your home unattended for a week, the same caution should apply online.
If you haven’t reviewed your social media privacy settings recently, now’s a good time to do so. And when it comes to sharing those fantastic holiday photos, perhaps it’s best to wait until you’re safely back home.
By taking a few precautions, you can enjoy your social media interactions without compromising your safety.
