Private Accounts on Social Media: Why Bother?
In a world where nothing is truly private, why do some people insist on using private accounts on social media platforms? After all, if you’re not comfortable with something being public, why would you post it online in the first place?
The answer, for many people, is that private accounts provide a sense of security and safety that public accounts simply cannot.
When you use a private account, you can control who sees your posts and photos.
This means that you don’t have to worry about random strangers viewing your personal information or leaving comments on your posts.
Private accounts also give you the ability to limit how much information you share about yourself.
For example, you may only want your friends and family to see certain photos or know certain details about your life.
By keeping your account private, you can ensure that only the people who you want to see your content are the ones who actually do see it.
(Unless they use tools or other methods to find you online.)
So What’s The Downside of Private Accounts on Social Media?
Of course, there are some downsides to using a private account on social media. The most obvious one is that it limits your reach.
If you’re only sharing your content with a small group of people, then only those people will ever see it.
This can be frustrating if you’re trying to build a following or promote something that you’re passionate about.
Another downside of using a private account is that it makes it difficult for people to find you. If someone wants to add you as a friend or follow you on social media, they may have a hard time doing so if your account is set to private.
This can be especially problematic if you’re trying to connect with someone for business reasons.
The Upsides of Having A Private Account
- To control who sees their posts and photos.
- Keeping certain aspects of their life separate from the public eye.
- Because it’s a preference.
- To avoid data collection and targeted ads.
- A way to protect their safety and security.
- To prevent identity theft and fraud.
- Avoiding spam and nuisance messages/comments.
- Because they don’t want their boss or future employer to see their posts!
- And lastly, because some social media platforms make it difficult or impossible to opt-out of data collection without making your account private . . .
Other Reasons For Privacy
Another common reason why people choose to keep their social media accounts private is to avoid mixing up their personal and professional lives.
If you’re someone who likes to keep your work life and your home life separate, then it makes sense to have separate social media accounts for each — one that’s private and one that’s public.
That way, you can control who has access to which parts of your life.
Of course, another big reason is drama. Let’s face it: social media can be a breeding ground for drama.
If you’re not careful, you can quickly find yourself in the middle of an online argument with someone you barely know.
By keeping your account private, you can avoid these types of situations altogether since only people who you approve will be able to see your posts.
Does It Really Work?
As we become increasingly reliant on social media, it’s important to remember that nothing we do online is NOT always truly private.
For example,
A 15-year study of 18 million Facebook posts linked to U.S. schools and school districts shows that millions of students have been unintentionally put at risk by identifiable images, names, and locations available to the public.
This all being said, there are still many good reasons to use a private account on social media, including greater control over who sees your posts, fewer targeted ads, and avoidance of drama.
Conclusion:
So if you’re looking for a little more privacy in your online life, consider switching to a private account today. However, with that said beware that sometimes things happen and data may still get exposed.
Think before you post privately or publicly on social media, would you want your mother or grandmothers to see that?
( A part of this content was made from Jasper AI.)
