Navigating the "Tricky Stranger": A Social Media Safety Guide for Military Families
By Ally Armeson | Executive Director of Programs, Cybercrime Support Network
It's hard to remember a time when social media didn’t exist. For military families, social media helps us stay connected with loved ones across the globe and it allows us to quickly learn about new communities we’ve recently moved to. It’s where we shop, consume news and share milestones. But as incredible as the internet and social media are, they can also be dangerous.
The “Tricky Stranger”
It's hard to tell who you're interacting with online if you don’t take the time to do your research and ask questions. That's why many organizations and cyber professionals refer to the internet as a “tricky stranger”—it can be simultaneously beneficial and deceptive. Consider the following:
● Connection vs. Oversharing: Social media helps you stay connected, but posting too much can expose you to cyber threats. For example, sharing your exact location or a photo with identifiable landmarks could inadvertently reveal where you are. Are you comfortable with the entire world knowing your exact location?
● Inspiration vs. Manipulation: While uplifting posts build community, publicizing life events—whether joyful or tragic—can open doors for psychological manipulation. Scammers often prey on vulnerable moments, such as the loss of a loved one.
● Education vs. Exploitation: The internet helps you learn and grow, but not everything on the internet is real. Proper research needs to be done to confirm what you read, hear or see on the internet.
Also remember, cybercriminals are constantly gathering information in order to exploit you. This can happen through data breaches, data brokers and the content you freely share on social media. Military families are particularly appealing targets because of their connection to national defense and frequent relocations. Sharing photos of service members in uniform, checking in at military bases, or posting about deployments can unintentionally increase your visibility to cybercriminals.
It can feel overwhelming to think about improving your online security, but social media safety can be done in small steps when you have the time. You don’t have to dedicate an entire day to fixing everything all at once. As a first step, take a few minutes to read this guide to explore practical tips for making social media work for you and your family without compromising your safety or privacy.
Practical Steps for Social Media Safety
The list below offers quick and easy ways to improve your social media safety. Most of these tasks take just a few minutes to complete, so why not give it a look?
1. Update Your Privacy Settings
Take control of your accounts by customizing privacy settings. Limit who can view your posts, pictures and personal information. Most platforms allow you to make your profile visible only to friends or connections, helping protect not just your information but also that of your networks. Remember, cybercriminals can use your profile to gather details about your connections too!
2. Share Selectively
We all know that we should think before we post, but sometimes the urge to share exciting news is just too tempting! Social media can make us feel validated and recognized, but it can also lead us to focus too much on likes and followers. This can lead to us posting more often, seeking to feel seen and understood by others on social media. While it might seem harmless, even small details can help cybercriminals build a larger profile to exploit us. Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with social media and ask yourself, are you really “thinking before you post”?
3. Double Check Those Photos
Photos are one of the most enjoyable aspects of social media, but they also carry hidden risks. Cybercriminals can extract details from your images, such as geotags or background landmarks, to determine your location. In fact, analyzing the vegetation, architecture, or signage in a photo can sometimes pinpoint your exact whereabouts. To minimize this risk, turn off geotagging and always check the background of your photos to see if there are any identifiable objects before sharing.
4. Be Selective with Connections
Not all friend requests are genuine. Again, sometimes our social media connection count can make us feel special, but scammers often create fake profiles to infiltrate your network and gather information. Only accept requests from people you know personally or can verify. If you aren’t sure who they are, delete them from your connections list.
5. Regular Account Checkups
Periodically review your social media accounts for unfamiliar activity or unauthorized access. Look for unrecognized logins, strange messages, or changes to your profile. If you notice anything fishy, log out devices you don’t recognize, change your password and set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your account if you haven’t already. Also, consider asking family and friends if they’ve received any strange messages from you, perhaps asking them for money to help you out of an emergency.
6. Strengthen Passwords
We all know we need to use strong, unique passwords for all accounts, but with hundreds of accounts to manage, it’s easy to overlook best practices. Take a moment to look at your social media passwords and check to make sure they are at least 12 characters long and include lowercase and uppercase letters, a few numbers and a few special characters. Also make sure each account has a unique password and you aren’t repeating any passwords. Consider using a password manager and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an added layer of security.
7. Create a Dedicated Email
Consider using an email address exclusively for social media accounts. This limits exposure and makes it easier to monitor suspicious activity. These days, it is extremely easy and quick to set up an email account, and having a dedicated social media email address can save you time and effort should your social media account get compromised.
8. Build a Trusted Network
Consider using your family as a support system when navigating social media. Discuss any red flags or concerns together; this will help to foster a safe space for critical thinking about online interactions. Remember that social media safety isn’t just about individual action; it’s a family effort. Regularly discussing these topics helps everyone stay informed and vigilant.
Consider framing the internet as a “tricky stranger” in family discussions, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and caution.
Here are some tips for productive conversations:
● Start Small: Introduce one safety topic at a time. For example, focus on passwords one week and privacy settings the next.
● Encourage Questions: Make it easy for family members to ask for help or clarification.
● Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge small wins, like updating a setting or spotting a phishing attempt, to keep the momentum going.
9. Stay Vigilant with Online Shopping
We’ve all seen an advertisement for something we love on social media. Unfortunately, not every ad we see on social media is legitimate. According to the FTC, American consumers reported losing over $1.4 billion to fraud originating on social media in 2023, and “online shopping issues” were a commonly reported category. The easiest way to avoid a fake ad on social media is to only shop on reputable sites and avoid clicking on suspicious ads or links.
The Balancing Act
Despite its risks, the internet is a remarkable tool for military families. It bridges distances, builds community and offers resources to navigate life’s challenges. By staying informed and proactive, you can enjoy these benefits while minimizing potential harm.
Remember, social media safety doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Small, consistent efforts can make a big difference. Update one privacy setting today, have a family discussion tomorrow and continue building your digital resilience over time. Soon, your family can turn the internet from a tricky stranger into a trusted ally. One step at a time—you’ve got this!