Being online can have its benefits. But unfortunately, if not used correctly, it can be a dangerous place for anyone.
Dangers of Being Online
Stranger Danger
It is a widely known fact that it is a risk to talk to strangers on the internet. There are cases where someone meets their life-long best friend, but the risk may not be worth it
according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC states that in 2022 around 70,000 people reported that they fell victim to an online romance scam. In that same year, older adults reported to have lost about $240 million to romance scams.
The people behind these scams are very manipulative.
Internet Safety 101 claims that people of all ages are vulnerable to these tactics. It is human nature to want to make friends and connections. Being online makes it simple.
But it also makes it simple for people to hide behind a mask. They can change the way they look and talk to gain trust. This leads to another danger: hackers. When talking to others, keep these things in mind:
Don't share personal information (passwords, address, bank/credit card information or location). People may not be who they say they are. Before taking action, if something seems suspicious, talk to a trusted adult.
Everything is Permanent
In years from now, where do you think you will be? All of your plans could change in just a few clicks. The term “
digital footprint” refers to the data you leave while being on the internet. This could be, for example, things you post online, what websites you visit, emails you send, etc.
Students have lost scholarships and graduates have had job opportunities revoked over past online behavior. Evaluate before doing anything you may later regret. Anything you do will never completely disappear.
More than half of the population of 13–17-year-olds are on social media,
according to the University of Michigan. This being said, most of them are not worried about what the future will hold.
Career Builder says that 38% of job applicants posted information about them drinking or using drugs. By the time they become an adult, they will have been building this online persona of themselves that they wouldn't want their boss to see.
Benefits of the Internet
Although the internet can be a dangerous place, there are many excellent opportunities as well.
People have many opportunities through the internet. They have gained fame and education, started relationships, and even experienced business success. The internet has created a large amount of entertainment all around the world, as well.
How to Avoid the Dangers
Although all of these things may sound like it is best to completely stay away from the internet, there are ways to maintain safety. Creating a strong password, avoiding sharing information, and having private accounts can almost ensure it.
One of the most obvious ways to stay safe is to create a strong password.
Microsoft Support recommends that to have a secure password you should have at least 12 characters, a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You should try to avoid adding in the name of a person or pet, a character, a product, or an organization.
For extra measure make the password different from your previous passwords. Remember, sharing your passwords, even with someone you trust, immediately makes them high-risk.
Looking back at one of the main problems, hackers, leads me to the second half of staying safe. This includes avoiding sharing information and staying private. Keeping your
social media accounts set to private will prevent strangers from seeing your activity.
It is okay to have followers, as that is a main part of social media, but what is the benefit of having unknown people on your accounts? Before you click add or accept, do research about who you are adding into your circle.
Communication
It is believed by many people that the best thing to come from the internet is the communication aspect.
The University of Miami interviewed their community on the losses and gains that have come from the creation of the internet. Roughly 60% of them said that they think we have gained more ways to communicate.
People can work together from just a few miles to countries apart. Social media allows people to stay connected in each other's lives. In fact, 83% of teens say that it makes them feel more connected to their friends' lives
according to Pew Research in 2015. This information makes it clear why so many people love using the internet in their day to day lives.
Stay Safe in the Digital World
In all, the best way to stay safe in a digital world is to stay private. The internet can be a great place, as long as you take it on cautiously. This includes keeping your accounts private, creating strong passwords, and not sharing personal information.
