Every day, we make decisions online without giving them much thought. We decide who can see our information, which links we open, which apps we give access to our photos and contacts, and who we allow to contact us.
These small decisions are part of our digital safety.
Technology companies have a responsibility to build products with privacy and safety in mind and provide people with tools that give them greater control. But staying safe online also depends on understanding those tools and developing a few simple habits of our own. Digital safety requires all of us.
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Here are a few things everyone can do to take greater control of their digital experience, according to Meta.
Take control of who can contact you
You don’t have to give everyone access to your digital space. On Facebook and Instagram, Privacy Checkup can help you review important privacy and security settings and understand who can see what you share.
On WhatsApp, privacy settings allow you to control who can see information such as your profile photo, About, Last Seen and Status, as well as who can add you to groups.
Add an extra layer of protection to your account
Passwords are important, but adding another layer of security can provide additional protection.
Meta platforms offer Two-Factor Authentication, which requires an additional verification step when someone attempts to access your account from an unrecognised device.
On WhatsApp, Two-Step Verification adds an additional layer of protection to your account through a six-digit PIN.
If you haven’t enabled these features yet, take a moment to do so.
Be thoughtful about who you interact with
Not every interaction needs a response.
Meta provides tools that can help you manage interactions across its platforms. On Instagram, for example, Limits can temporarily limit interactions from accounts that may be unwanted, while Restrict gives you greater control over how you interact with specific accounts.
On WhatsApp, Block & Report allows you to stop receiving messages or calls from a contact and report the account where appropriate.
Give yourself a moment before responding
Sometimes the safest thing you can do online is simply slow down.
If you receive an unexpected message or request, particularly one that asks you to take immediate action, pause before responding.
Consider whether the request makes sense and, where appropriate, verify the information through another trusted channel.
WhatsApp also has a feature that allows users to Silence Unknown Callers, which helps users avoid interruptions from calls from numbers they don’t recognise while still allowing those calls to appear in their call history.
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Know when to block, report or step away
Being in control of your digital experience also means knowing what to do when something doesn’t feel right. Across Meta platforms, users can report content or accounts that may violate platform policies.
Depending on the platform and feature, users can also block, mute, restrict or limit interactions.
On WhatsApp, Block & Report gives users a straightforward way to manage unwanted interactions.
On Instagram, features such as Hidden Words can help filter unwanted comments and message requests containing words or phrases you choose.
Make safety part of your digital routine
Digital safety isn’t a once-a-year exercise.
Just as we occasionally check the locks on our doors or review our important documents, it’s useful to periodically review the settings and tools that protect our digital lives.
Set aside a few minutes to:
● Review your privacy settings.
● Check that Two-Factor Authentication or Two-Step Verification is enabled where available.
● Familiarise yourself with blocking and reporting tools.
● Review who can contact you.
● Explore the safety features available on the platforms you use most.
These small actions can make it easier to navigate digital spaces with confidence
Technology can help, we all have a role to play
Meta continues to invest in technology, product features and education designed to give people greater control over their experiences across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other Meta platforms. But those tools work best when people know they exist and feel confident using them.
That’s why digital safety is a shared responsibility. Platforms have a responsibility to build meaningful protections into their products.
Governments, researchers, educators and civil society all have roles to play in building digital literacy and trust. And each of us can take simple steps to understand the tools available and make thoughtful choices online.
Also see: Before you post: How to better protect your child’s digital identity
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