Online safety tips
Parents and policy makers can help young adults pay attention to their online reputation and take steps to ensure a positive persona – personally and professionally.
The Digital Civility Challenge
Microsoft encourages everyone to take the challenge to help make the internet a safer place. Our fifth Digital Civility Index showed digital interactions and responses to online risks are improving around the world.
Adolescent mental health in the age of AI
The new age of AI brings new opportunities—and new safety considerations, including how technology may impact adolescent mental health. As a part of our deliberative and responsible approach to safety and AI, we partnered with the CERES (Connecting the Ed Tech Ecoystem) research network to help build a shared understanding of the current research landscape and focus of future efforts.
Privacy
Suppose you got a new car. Would you post a photo of yourself standing in front of your new car with the license plate showing in the background? Be mindful, you could be helping someone hack your privacy and identity.
Before you hit “post,”…
Before you hit “post,” ask yourself if you’d share that information with a stranger—this rule of thumb will help you filter out private details like your last name, contact information, school, age, or date of birth.
Personal details in photos
Treat any pictures like an investigator or crime-scene specialist, paying close attention to the background. What personal details can you piece together about you and your friends in the image?
Extensive profiles
Some sites require you to fill out an extensive profile. It may seem harmless, but all that personal data can fall into the wrong hands or even get sold to scammers.
Sharing private information with sites and apps
Be thoughtful when sites and apps you want to use ask for your full name, birthdate, address, phone number, or other private information. Consider whether you really want them to have that information and find out what they are going to do with it (and who else they are going to share it with) before you hand those details over.
Use privacy settings
Many sites allow you to limit who can see your profile, either by changing settings or requiring a password to access your content—a vital step you should take with every account. Keep in mind, too, that social media groups you join (e.g., one for your high school) may be public.
Posting on the internet
When in doubt, ask yourself if you’d feel comfortable posting your information in a public forum—because that’s essentially what the internet is.
Social media cliche
Answer multiple choice questions about your social media habits to learn which cliché you are.
Take the quizPin Head
Using location services? Limit who knows your whereabouts, pay attention to where/when you check in, and link to social media with care.
Momarazzi
Be mindful about what you post online about your kids – of any age. You might be putting them at risk by revealing their current location, age, school, etc.
Team Emo
Don't post anything you'd only say to a close friend. Whether you're happy, sad, angry, or have money worries, confiding broadly could increase your online risks of being bullied, targeted for scams, or worse.
Hashtag Hyper
Be selective about where and when you use hashtags to avoid oversharing your location. Keep sensitive details to yourself that could be used to defraud; impersonate; or find your home address, phone and account numbers, birthdate, or photos without your knowing it.
Selfie Centered
Before you post any pictures, videos, or comments online, ask yourself: Could this tarnish my reputation? Think before you post; it will be there a long, long time.