Social Media Safety
Social Media: how to use it safely
Use privacy settings across social media platforms to manage your digital footprint.
This page provides advice from the NCSC which has collected advice provided by the major social media platforms on how to set up privacy controls as well as suggesting some tips on how to use social media safely.
For more information, please visit the NCSCs website:- Social Media: how to use it safely - NCSC.GOV.UK
Advice from social media platforms
The following guidance is provided by each of the major social media platforms. Click to read detailed information on how manage your Privacy Settings, with your Social Media Accounts.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your accounts
Two-factor authentication (often shortened to 2FA) provides a way of 'double checking' that you really are the person you are claiming to be when you're using online services, such as social media, banking or email. Even if a criminal (or someone simply looking to cause mischief) knows your password, they won't be able to access any of your accounts that are protected using 2FA.
- The Cyber Aware website contains links on how to set up 2FA across popular online services such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook.
- For more information on why you should use 2FA wherever you can, read the NCSC's official guidance on two-factor authentication.
Social media and children
Most social media accounts require users to be at least 13 years old. However, it is easy to sign-up with a false date of birth. For expert advice about how to keep children safe online, please refer to:
Recovering a hacked account
A step by step guide to recovering an online account.
Please follow the NCSCs guidance on recovering a hacked account: Recovering a hacked account - NCSC.GOV.UK
Once you know your account has been hacked, this is what you should do:
1. Update your devices
2. Contact your provider
3. If your email account was hacked- visit the support page of your email product
4. Change passwords
5. Set up 2-factor authentication
6. Notify your contacts
7. If you can't recover your account- create a new one, linking relevant accounts
8. Contact Action Fraud
For more detailed information around Recovering a Hacked Account, please visit: Recovering a hacked account - NCSC.GOV.UK