6 Things We Learnt About Our Online Privacy from the Famous Documentary ‘The Social Dilemma’

Internet privacy or digital privacy refers to how much information you keep private when using the internet, such as financial data, browsing history, and personal information.

In September 2020, Netflix premiered a documentary titled “The Social Dilemma”, which spoke to some important issues related to online privacy, security, habits, and the dangers posed by social media. It also taught us some important facts about our online privacy.

Recommendations are a Trap.

It is best to avoid picking a ‘recommended for you’ option on YouTube or anywhere else. You should always select for yourself. This is another method you can use against algorithms that are trained to work against you. Many browser extensions make it possible to eradicate recommendations.

Many of us turn from video to video, lurching from one to the next, in part due to the platform’s algorithm – which is still embroiled in long-running controversy. As a result of this recommendation feature, viewers are continually pushed to content rife with speculation and light on facts, which have come under fire recently.

Know When to Uninstall Apps.

It is essential to uninstall apps that waste your time and negatively affect your mental health. Social media apps, news apps, or any other app shouldn’t occupy your mind space.

The Play Store on the Android platform is still the best place to download and install apps since it is not as closely monitored as Apple’s App Store. *br>*br>Installation files (APKs) sourced from third-party sites should be considered with caution since they could contain malware or spyware.

Social Media is Not for Kids.

No technological expert in Silicon Valley or anywhere else gives any of these devices to their children because they know the flip side of social media. Three rules for families struggling with limiting screen time that is mentioned in the movie are a must. They are : (a) Students cannot use social media until they reach high school; (b) Assign a time limit to your children for the usage of the internet, and (c) Every night, all devices need to be put away in the bedroom.

Scammers and identity thieves see children as precious resources. This can be attributed to children not taking out loans, having credit cards, or paying their bills. This makes their credit score clean, and they are easy targets for thieves. Children specifically targeted by these scammers are those who use social media sites, and things can spiral out of control quickly because scammers see them as the easiest victims.

Also Read: What Are the Most Important Social Media Metrics?

Social Media Uses Our Psychology Against Us.

It is possible to study human psychology and the way minds work for business through a method called ‘growth hacking.’ By incorporating psychology and technology, the internet functions. It feels like something is waiting for us every time we look at the screen. That’s why we need to pay attention. Reinforcement plays the most important role in changing our behaviors. For Instance, when we are shown the three dots to signify that the person on the other end is typing, is to keep the users engaged and so that the app does not lose the users.

Your Private Data Can Be Leaked Anytime.

There are several instances in which social media apps have leaked identifying information about their users to advertisers and internet tracking firms. The users are not even aware that this is happening.

It is possible to leak data when you allow certain terms during the installation process, and the application receives an “access token” after you accept these terms. These tokens can give advertisers access to data such as chat logs and photos in personal profiles. Some social media apps leak them to advertisers. It does not display a disclaimer informing you that your personal information will be handed over to third parties. Consequently, your online security and privacy are compromised.

You are Being Tracked.

Sharing content with our friends is easy with Facebook, Twitter, and other social media buttons. Yet these social media buttons are also valuable tools for tracking social media sites. A cookie is a small text file that a social site stores when you create an account or log in, and together they allow the social website to recognize the user across sites that use these widgets. Cookies allow a social site to keep track of its users across social networks. So, it is possible to track your preferences and online shopping behavior easily, and your internet privacy can be invaded. Even if cookies are not harmful per se, imagine them like a silent stalker following you everywhere you go. Thus, you can always fall prey to social media breaches. Your web browser allows you to delete cookies and limit the types of cookies that are placed on your computer.

Getting an Antivirus

With the advancement of technology, there has been a rapid increase in the number and type of cybercrimes. Thus, it would be best to secure your devices with antivirus. They help you with scheduled checks for any virus in your device and also detect any malware in your system. There are several kinds of antivirus, and it would be best to go through their pros and cons before you install the best antivirus for your device. Overall, there is no escape from installing an antivirus nowadays. Though you may think of this as an expensive affair, remember, avoiding using an antivirus can cause greater loss.

Conclusion

It gets worse from there. A number of social media websites allow companies to place cookies and beacons within their ads – small pieces of software that can track you and collect information about what you do when you visit a page. Remember, that these tracking tools are widely used online, but on most children’s and teen-oriented websites, which raises a major concern about the privacy of children online.