
Social Media | April 21, 2024
Pause Before Posting: Guidelines for Staying Safe on Social Media While on Vacation
We all know the feeling. You’re on vacation in a gorgeous, enviable locale, far away from the chilly temps, the gray skies, wet streets, and generally inhospitable weather. You escaped this with great relief, and now from where you stand, the sun is shining bright, and the landscape is more than fine. Certainly everyone in your social network wants to see what you're doing.
But wait! It’s critically important to post mindfully as the days of amateur cyber criminals and cyber sleuths are over. Social media has been a part of our lives for long enough now that finding information online on individuals is now second nature to many.
To protect your valuables and yourself while on vacation, there are some guidelines and warnings to consider before you share your vacation stories to your Stories, feeds, or any other social media platform. Here are some good dos and don’ts.
DON'T post while at the airport
Posting airport photos or check-ins online will alert others to the fact that you’re not at home, in real-time. This isn’t a big deal if there are others manning the fort or if you have a house-sitter, but posting your location, boarding pass or gate is something to avoid.
Never share photos of your boarding pass, as they feature a barcode that can reveal more details about your travel plans and private data. Criminals can use this to discover your flight, seat number, and contact details. They can then steal your phone number, driver’s license information, and passport specifics, leading to identity theft.
DO put up Stories instead of posts to the feed
Stories disappear within 24 hours, and if you limit your audience, you can share the most important and interesting real-time updates without leaving a hard digital trail like a permanent content post for public consumption. This way, those who already follow your social media journey will be able to continue doing so in tantalizing bite-sized glimpses.
DO save the photo dumps for your return
It's advisable to wait until you're safely back home to share your holiday memories. This protects your privacy and safety, ensuring your holiday remains a positive experience. If you follow these tips and hold off on posting your vacation pics until you’re safely back home, you won’t need to fear data or identify theft, burglary, or the loss of your belongings.
DON’T be scared to post while away
You can still share your experience, which I encourage! Representation is important, and showing others that they, too, can vacation like you is such a huge part of tourism ambassadorship and supporting vacation dreams for others. Just be sure to do it mindfully to protect some of the more confidential aspects of your experience and identity so that you can fully relax as you live your best life in a destination you literally can’t wait to tell people about!
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