Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter (X), YouTube, and Telegram have become an essential part of daily life. However, using them without proper knowledge and caution can expose you to serious cyber threats. Akhil Bhartiya Cyber Suraksha Sangathan presents the following essential Social Media Safety Tips that every user must follow to stay safe online.

• ✅Always set your social media accounts to Private — do not keep them public unless absolutely necessary.
• ✅Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all your social media accounts for an extra layer of security.
• 🚫Never share your login credentials (username and password) with anyone, including close friends or family members.
• ✅Regularly review and update your privacy settings — platforms often change their default privacy options.

• 🚫Never post your home address, phone number, Aadhaar number, PAN card, or bank details on any social media platform.
• 🚫Avoid sharing your daily routine, travel plans, or live location — this information can be misused by criminals.
• ⚠️Think carefully before posting photos that reveal your location, workplace, school, or home surroundings.
• 🚫Do not share financial information or transactions publicly — this can make you a target for fraud.

• ⚠️Cybercriminals often create fake profiles pretending to be someone you know, a celebrity, or a government official to deceive you.
• 🚫Do not accept friend requests from unknown people — always verify the person's identity before connecting.
• ⚠️If you receive a message from a known person asking for money or sensitive information, always verify by calling them directly — their account may have been hacked.
• ✅Report and block any suspicious or fake account immediately using the platform's reporting feature.

• 🚫Never click on unknown or suspicious links shared through social media messages, DMs, or posts — they may be phishing traps.
• ⚠️Messages offering free gifts, lottery wins, job offers, or government schemes are mostly scams — do not fall for them.
• 🚫Do not scan QR codes sent by unknown contacts on social media — they can be used to steal money or data.
• ✅Always verify any offer or scheme by visiting the official website of the concerned organisation before taking any action.

• 🚫Never share personal, intimate, or sensitive photos and videos with anyone online — once shared, you lose control over them.
• ⚠️If someone shares your photo or video without your consent, it is a cyber crime under the IT Act — report it immediately.
• 🚫Avoid posting photos that show your children's face, school uniform, or routine — this can put their safety at risk.
• ✅Regularly check who has tagged you in photos or posts and remove tags from content you are not comfortable with.

• ⚠️Cyberbullying — including trolling, abusive comments, threats, and spreading rumours online — is a punishable cyber crime in India.
• ✅If you are being harassed online, block the person, take screenshots as evidence, and report it to the platform and police.
• 🚫Do not retaliate or argue with bullies online — this can worsen the situation. Stay calm and seek help.
• ✅A formal complaint about cyberbullying or online harassment can be filed at cybercrime.gov.in or by calling 1930.

• ✅Use a strong, unique password for each social media account — combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
• ✅Change your passwords every 3–6 months and immediately if you suspect any unauthorised access.
• 🚫Avoid using easily guessable passwords such as your name, date of birth, or "123456".
• ✅Always log out from social media accounts when using a shared or public device.

• ⚠️Always verify news and information before sharing it on social media — spreading false information (fake news) is a punishable offence under Indian law.
• 🚫Do not share content that is communally sensitive, defamatory, or incites hatred — it can lead to serious legal consequences.
• ✅Use trusted fact-checking websites such as PIB Fact Check, AltNews, or Boom before forwarding viral messages.
• 🚫Never post obscene, offensive, or morphed images of anyone — it is a cyber crime under the IT Act 2000.

• ✅Regularly review which third-party apps and websites have access to your social media accounts and revoke unnecessary permissions.
• 🚫Do not participate in online quizzes or games that ask for access to your social media profile — they may harvest your personal data.
• ⚠️Be cautious of apps that ask for access to your contacts, camera, microphone, or location without a valid reason.
• ✅Only connect trusted and verified applications to your social media accounts.

• ✅If your account is hacked, immediately change your password and enable Two-Factor Authentication to regain control.
• ✅Inform your friends and family that your account has been compromised so they are not deceived by messages sent from your hacked account.
• ✅Report the hacked account to the platform's support team and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.
• ⚠️Check your account's login activity regularly to detect any unauthorised logins from unknown devices or locations.