Social Media Safety Tips for Seniors: Protecting Yourself Online

Seniors are often targeted by scammers who pose as family members or friends in need of financial assistance, or who offer fake prizes or job opportunities. Other scams include phishing emails or messages that ask for personal information, or fake charity requests.

Seniors should avoid sharing personal information, such as their full name, address, phone number, or financial information, on social media. They should also use strong, unique passwords for their accounts, and enable two-factor authentication if available.

Seniors should report any suspicious activity or messages to the social media platform, as well as to local law enforcement. They should also change their passwords and monitor their accounts for any unauthorized activity.

Seniors should be cautious when accepting friend requests or messages from people they don’t know, and should avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments. They should also regularly review their privacy settings and limit the amount of personal information they share online.

There are numerous online resources available to help seniors learn about social media safety, including the Federal Trade Commission’s “Pass it On” campaign, the National Cyber Security Alliance’s “Stay Safe Online” program, and AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.