As one of the most popular social media platforms out there, Facebook connects us with friends and family, keeps us up-to-date on news and events, and allows us to share our thoughts and experiences with the world. But with all that sharing comes the responsibility to keep our information and privacy safe. Here’s a smart and savvy guide to Facebook privacy and security to help you navigate the platform safely and confidently.
Default Post Settings and Changing Privacy per Post
When you post on Facebook, you can choose who can see your post by adjusting the privacy settings. By default, your posts will be visible to your friends, but you can also choose to make them public or visible only to specific groups or individuals.
To change your default post settings:
Click the down arrow in the top right corner of Facebook and select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
Select “Settings” and then click “Privacy” in the left-hand menu.
Under “Your Activity,” click “Who can see your future posts?” and select the desired audience.
To change the privacy of a specific post:
Start creating a post by typing in the box at the top of your News Feed or Timeline.
Click the audience selector to the left of the “Post” button and choose who you want to see the post.
Adding, Removing, and Blocking Friends
Facebook is all about connecting with friends and family, but sometimes you may want to add or remove people from your Friends list or block someone who is bothering you.
To add a friend:
Go to the person’s profile.
Click “Add Friend” and wait for them to accept your request.
To remove a friend:
Go to the person’s profile.
Click the three dots on the right side of their profile and select “Unfriend.”
To block someone:
Go to the person’s profile.
Click the three dots on the right side of their profile and select “Block.”
Staying Safe on Facebook
While Facebook can be a fun and useful tool, it’s important to be cautious and protect your personal information.
Here are some tips for staying safe on Facebook:
Be cautious when clicking on links from unknown sources.
Use a strong and unique password for your Facebook account.
Help identify spam by reporting suspicious posts or messages.
Watch out for phishing scams that may try to trick you into giving away personal information.
News Feed Settings
Your News Feed is the first thing you see when you log into Facebook, and it can be customized to show you the content you want to see.
Here’s how to adjust your News Feed settings:
Click the three lines on the bottom right of your screen and select “Settings & Privacy.”
Click “News Feed Preferences” and select “Prioritize who to see first.”
Choose who you want to see first in your News Feed by selecting their profile.
You can also unfollow someone to stop seeing their posts in your News Feed without unfriending them. To do this, go to their profile and click “Following” to unfollow them.
Using Facebook Mindfully
While Facebook can be a great way to connect with friends and family, it’s important to be mindful of how much time you spend on the platform and the content you’re consuming.
Here are some tips for using Facebook mindfully:
Set limits on the amount of time you spend on Facebook each day.
Follow uplifting and positive pages and groups.
Don’t air your dirty laundry or post things you may regret later.
Remember that not everything you see on Facebook is true or accurate.
If you found this bite-size article helpful, and you’d like to take your Facebook privacy and security to the next level, I invite you to book a one-hour training session with me. During our session, we’ll dive deeper into the settings and strategies discussed here, and I’ll answer any questions you may have.
My hourly rate for this training is $40, and I offer discounted rates for multiple sessions. To learn more, please contact me at info@askangie.ca.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your online privacy and security. Let’s work together to keep your Facebook experience safe and enjoyable!