Staying Safe on Social Media
Use Facebook, Instagram, and other social media safely — control who sees your information.
Start the guide
Start with the first step, try it on your own device, and use the next-step section at the end if you want a clear follow-on guide.
Guide details and who this is for
Guide details
- Published
- January 15, 2025
- Country scope
- Global
Who this is for
Best for anyone checking whether a message, website, payment, or request is safe.
Be careful
Pause if anything asks for passwords, OTP codes, money transfers, or urgent action. Real organisations do not need you to panic to prove they are genuine.
Before you begin
What this guide helps you do
This guide shows the main warning signs to check before you click, reply, log in, share details, or pay.
Best time to use it
Use it when something feels urgent, unusual, or asks for personal information, codes, or money.
Common mistake to avoid
Do not act while pressured. Slow down first, then verify the sender, website, or request.
Helpful tech words
Open a plain-English term first if you need it
Phishing
A trick where someone pretends to be a trusted company or person — like your bank, CPF Board, or the police — to steal your passwords or personal details. It usually comes as a fake SMS, email, or phone call.
OTP (One-Time Password)
A temporary code sent to your phone or email that can only be used once for a single login or transaction.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
A security step that asks you to prove who you are in two ways — usually your password plus a code sent to your phone. It makes your accounts much harder to break into.
Using Social Media Safely
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media are great for keeping up with friends and family. But they also carry risks if not used carefully.
Set your profile to Friends Only
Facebook:
- Tap the three-line menu icon → Settings & privacy → Settings.
- Tap Privacy → Who can see your future posts → choose Friends.
- Also set: Who can see your friends list, and who can find you by phone number — both to Friends or Only me.
Instagram:
- Tap your profile picture → the three-line menu → Settings → Privacy.
- Toggle Private Account on. Only approved followers can see your posts.
What not to post publicly
Even with a private account, be thoughtful about what you share:
- ❌ Your full home address
- ❌ Photos showing your house number, street, or car number plate clearly
- ❌ When you will be away on holiday (this tells people your home is empty)
- ❌ Your national ID or personal documents
- ❌ Financial information
Friend requests from strangers
- Do not accept friend requests from people you have never met.
- Scammers create fake profiles with photos of attractive people to build trust before asking for money or personal details — this is called “romance scam”.
- If a “friend” you have not spoken to in years suddenly contacts you and quickly asks for money or a favour, be very suspicious.
Common social media scams to watch for
1. Impersonation scam A scammer hacks a friend’s account and messages you: “I’m in trouble, can you send me $200 via instant bank transfer?” Always call your friend directly to verify.
2. Lucky draw / giveaway scam A post says: “You have won! Click here to claim your prize.” These are fake — real companies do not give away prizes through random comments.
3. Part-time job scam “Earn $500 a day working from home — just like and share posts.” These always end with you being asked to pay a deposit first, which you lose.
4. Investment scam Someone messages you about an “exclusive investment opportunity” with guaranteed high returns. No investment guarantees returns — this is always a scam.
Report suspicious content
- Facebook: Tap the three dots (…) on a post or message → Report.
- Instagram: Tap the three dots on a post → Report.
- You can also report scams through your official scam-reporting portal.
Try it yourself — follow along now Click to expand
Follow along and tick each step as you go. You can use a real device right now!
✨ Tip: Ticking these boxes only works on your screen — nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Facebook Privacy Settings
Who can see your posts?
Now: Public 🌍
Who can find you by phone?
Now: Everyone
Who can send friend requests?
Now: Everyone
Profile photo visibility
Now: Friends
You finished this guide
What do you want to do next?
Move to the next recommended guide if you want a clear progression, or ask a real person if you would rather check before trying something new.