Setting your social media privacy in ten minutes

When you create an account, the default settings are rarely the most protective. They favour visibility, not your peace of mind. The good news: everything can be changed in a few minutes in the settings.

Who can see what

Start with a private account if the platform offers it: you choose who can follow you. Then check who can see your posts, your stories, your friend list and your profile info. Trim it down to the essentials.

Turn off location on your photos and stories. Sharing where you are in real time is valuable info for the wrong people. You can always tag a place later, once you've left it.

Do a regular clean-up

Get into the habit of reviewing your settings now and then: platforms change their options often. Also review the apps connected to your account and remove the ones you no longer use.