Social Media Safety Tips for Seniors

Seniors should be aware of phishing scams, where scammers try to obtain sensitive information by posing as a trustworthy source. They should also be cautious of messages that ask for money or personal information, as well as fake profiles or accounts that try to befriend them.

Seniors can protect their personal information by setting their social media profiles to private, being selective about who they add as friends or followers, and avoiding sharing sensitive information such as their full name, address, or phone number.

Seniors should immediately report any suspicious activity to the social media platform and their bank or credit card company if money was involved. They should also change their passwords and be cautious of future messages or friend requests from unknown sources.

While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, some social media platforms do have specific features or policies that may make them more suitable for seniors. For example, Facebook has a “Legacy Contact” feature that allows users to designate someone to manage their account after they pass away, which may be of interest to seniors who are planning for the future.

Seniors can stay safe on social media by regularly updating their privacy settings, avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloads, and being cautious of messages from unknown sources. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on bank and credit card statements for any unfamiliar transactions.