In today’s digital age where social media is the way to stay connected, get breaking news, and share content, we often forget that there are more eyes seeing what we share than we realize.  Based on a recent study by eMarketer, Instagram alone has over 788 million users. That’s just one social media platform.  So, think about that one pic you’re sharing with your followers. It has the potential of being seen by millions of people…millions of strangers. And with new platforms like TikTok being constantly created and utilized the amount of people seeing your content continues to increase.

Sadly, among all those users are people that are looking to take advantage of you and in some cases, harm you.

On top of our personal information that could be compromised, and our online security that is at risk, we also have to worry about social media. It amazes me to see the amount of information we are so willing to give out on these social media platforms.

In this digital age where we feel the need to document every aspect of our lives on social media we need to be even more cautious. This type of social media networking leaves a trail of personal details that can make it easier for cyber-criminals, exes, and potential stalkers to find out what they need to know about you.

Before you post your next image, video, or tweet consider these 10 things:

1. Is the photo/video you are about to publish giving away too much information? For instance, your home address, your home cross streets, work location, or family addresses?

2. Just because a social media bio asks for the information doesn't mean you need to provide it or that it needs to be the right information. Instead of using your real name, why not use nom du plume to publish under? Same for your email address; save your personal email address for family & friends and create a separate one to use on your social media channels.

3. Do brands or new friends on social media want to send you something? Using your home address could compromise you and your family’s privacy. Instead, set up a separate "business" mailing address. While it might be a pain to go to your local FedEx or Mailbox store to pick up your packages, this gives you the ease of knowing that you are not giving out your home address to complete strangers.

4. Be strategic when sharing boarding passes, items with QR codes, license plates, and anything else that could be tied to your personal information. Use a photo editing app to blur out the private information if you must share it.

5. Going out of town or on an extended vacation? Don't give away the exact dates of any travel on social media. I've seen countless comments on social media where someone will post content stating they are going to New York (for example) next month. Then, multiple people will comment and say, 'Me too, I'm going to be there from [date] to [date] and staying at [hotel]." Unless your account is private, anyone can see this information and you've just told a bunch of strangers that you won't be home during that time.

6. Remove all your mailing labels before showing off your new purchases in your next video. Please, please, please rip the mailing label off before you advertise to the world where you live.

7. You can GeoTag your location and establishment later. I love to share the restaurants I’m eating at or new shops around town, but you can add those locations and tags later…after you’ve left, which leads me to my next tip.

8. Not everything needs to be put on social media — and if you feel it does, it doesn't need to be done in that exact moment. Wait until you have already left that location and then post your photo and tag all the places you were at. It's not difficult for someone to determine where you are based on decor or background objects of photos, especially if they are familiar with that location.

9. I love a good home tour as much as the next person but doing video home tours basically gives a potential intruder the layout of your house. And if you've got a lot expensive stuff (i.e. bags, shoes, guns) you are just giving them some more incentive.

10. Utilize and get to know the apps privacy and security settings.  Many of these social media networks have controls in place to help you manage how you share your content.

It may seem a bit extreme to have to think about these things before posting to social media but it’s really nothing more than common sense tips for the digital age we live in. At the end of the day, be cautious of what you are posting out into the abyss of social media as that content lives forever. Continue to make personal safety and internet privacy part of living a self-reliant lifestyle.  You can still share your life with the world but understanding and accepting the reality will help you from sharing something you wish you hadn’t.