Social media apps have millions of users, and the numbers keep on increasing as days go by. However, while there are several popular social media platforms, you must consider some aspects associated with their use. This is because social media accounts are always the target of someone trying to read text messages without your child knowing.
So, this guide takes a look at five ways to ensure your child’s safety on social media. These social media safety features are prerequisites to keeping your child protected.
Also Read: So, Your Elderly Relatives Got Social Media. Here’s How to Help Them
How to Secure a Social Media Account
Article Breakdown
1. Enable Two Factor Authentication
The two-factor authentication approach is one of the most common safety features on almost all major social media apps like Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and more. Any guide on how to secure your social media account should include this as a reliable method. It involves securing a social media profile account with two layers of security. The first layer is the password, and the second layer is a form of code verification.
The code is sent to the address or emails the account owner provided during the sign-up process. Two-factor authentication ensures you receive notifications each time a new device or I.P location wants to access your device.
For the sake of an example, let’s consider Instagram. The steps involved in enabling two-factor authentication include –
- Click on the profile picture button on the bottom right section of your profile.
- Then, tap on the hamburger icon in the right top section, and then click on settings.
- Next, click on security, and then click on Two Factor Authentication.
- Click on ‘Get Started,’ which is at the bottom section.
2. Keep Their Account Private or Secure
By default, anyone can access the posts and profile data on your child’s social media account. However, you can change the settings to private, such that only approved profiles that follow your child can access such information. These include information such as video, photos, locations, and various others.
Remember that the public can still access any posts you share on social networks. And, this depends mainly on the chosen privacy settings for your networks. For example, one way of doing this on Facebook is by locking your profile. On the other hand, Instagram allows you to make your account private.
You can also check the amount of personal information is being collected by the website they visit with Register Check.
The best way to use this on Instagram, for example, include –
- Click on the profile picture on the bottom right section to access your child’s profile.
- Then, click on the hamburger icon on the top right section, and then click on settings.
- Next, click on the ‘Privacy” section.
- Click on “Private Account,” which converts the account to private instantly.
3. Check their Login Activity from Time to Time
You have to be proactive when it comes to tracking your child’s use of social media platforms. After all, not all software products or settings can guarantee 100% safety of children online.
Checking your child’s login activity to check if there have been any suspicious logins are weird times. This can point to the fact that someone apart from your child is trying to access their account and potentially steal their information.
Even if you have done well to secure your child’s account, you also have to occasionally keep track of their login activity. Doing this ensures you are aware of any instances when a malicious party tries to breach your child’s personal information. The steps to expect in checking log inactivity include –
- Visit your child’s Instagram profile.
- Click on the hamburger icon on the top section of the screen.
- Hit the settings button on the bottom section.
- Locate the security section, and click on ‘Login Activity.’
- Doing this should give you access to login data such as locations.
4. Block or Restrict Accounts They’re Uncomfortable With
Blocking an account that makes your child uncomfortable is also an excellent technique. It will help stop people from accessing their posts, stories, and profile information. When blocking someone, they won’t receive notifications about your action.
Additionally, your child’s profile will also stop receiving notifications from the given profile. It’s not possible to follow an account once it’s blocked. Remember that if your little one’s profile is set to ‘public,’ then a malicious individual can still find them through another account. To block or restrict an account, the steps include:
- Visit the profile you want to block.
- Click on the Options button on the top right section, then click on ‘Block’ and ‘Confirm.’
5. Use A Strong Password
A password is the first layer of social media security you have to consider. As such, you have to learn about a few guidelines in choosing a good password for social media accounts.
A strong password is vital for almost any security system today, and the same extends to all your social media apps. Furthermore, a strong password must tick the following pointers –
- It contains a mixture of alphabets, numbers, and upper and lower case letters.
- It is changed occasionally to help boost security safety.
- It does not contain standard terms, phrases, and names.
- Contains characters from the ‘securely generated’ function on web browsers.
In Conclusion
Before letting your child use social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat, always be cautious. There are various guides and websites that can list all the best ways to keep your social media accounts safe, so always refer to them to ensure they never face any hiccups online.