Are You Really Safe Online?

That's a very important question. Because we are in our homes behind locked doors, it can make us feel a bit invincible. We subconsciously think,

no one could know who I really am or where I live, so I can post this comment and there will be no repercussions. It's time to think about internet safety. People can find out more about you than you realize. If you've ever Facebook stalked a friend or family member, it doesn't take long before they casually mention where they work, where they went to dinner, what they did for entertainment, who they hung out with and where they went on vacation. You can find out more about them than they probably meant to share. If you've ever sold anything on a social media marketplace, then you may have noticed that the site automatically tells people what city you live in, unless you change your settings to private. Posts on Instagram can also share locations. We so freely give up information about ourselves, without thinking that people we don't know can find this information as well. Imagine the internet as a fishbowl, everyone can see directly inside, all that has been done or said or viewed, so never make the mistake of thinking that your activity can be easily erased. Even deleted posts can be retrieved by law enforcement - so think before you post. There's another hidden danger that people don't think about - what the internet itself does to our brains. It has the same effect as a drug on the brain. It is rewiring your brain as you watch, as you scroll, as you post. How do you protect yourself against addiction? There are a couple of ways to lessen the internet's effect on you. Rather than waiting for motivation, or someone else to act and get you to stop, take responsibility for your own time and your own usage. Set time limits. Don't observe life through your screen - actually live it.