Internet safety for older adults

Older adults’ social media usage has been steadily rising for a number of years, proving that individuals 65 and over are not techaverse. Research shows that 46 percent of individuals 65 and over use Facebook. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be a great way to stay connected with family and friends and stay up-to-date on community events. But social media usage is not without risks, especially in regard to users’ safety. People without much social media experience can heed these safety tips as they navigate popular platforms and discover all they have to offer.

• Examineyouraccountsettings.Socialmediauserscancontrol their privacy settings so they can decide who can and can’t view their online activity. Each platform is different, but profiles set to public generally allow anyone to view someone’s activity, so people should set their profiles to private to limit access to personal information.

• Bemindful ofyour social media social circle.It’seasy tomake virtual friends via social media, but people should be mindful of who they accept as online friends. Carefully consider each friend request and decide just how big or small you want your social media community to be. Many people prefer to limit their online social circles to those they know well and want to stay in touch with, and that can serve as a good measuring stick when deciding whether or not to accept a friend request.

• Avoidsharingpersonalinformation.Seniorsarenodoubtaware that they should never share especially personal information, such as their Social Security number, or even vacation plans. People who post about upcoming trips could return home to find they’ve been victimized by criminals who scoured their social media accounts and learned when they were going to be away. A good rule of thumb is to keep personal information private and limit posts to information that is not overly specific or sensitive.

• Recognize the threat posed by scammers. Social media platforms have had varying degrees of success in regard to keeping their sites scam-free. But scammers find a way, and users must take steps to avoid being victimized. Never click on a link within a post from someone outside of a personal social circle and avoid anyone soliciting donations through social media platforms.

—MetroCreative Connection