Answer:
1. Limit personal information sharing: Youth should avoid sharing sensitive information such as their full name, address, phone number, or any financial information on social media. Instead, they should limit their sharing to non-personal information like their hobbies or interests, which will reduce the risk of being targeted by cybercriminals. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because it prevents identity theft, phishing or other forms of cyberattacks that could potentially compromise their online presence or financial transactions.
2. Choose strong passwords: Youth should use strong and unique passwords for each social media account they register. They should avoid using the same password across multiple accounts and create complex passwords that contain a combination of alpha-numeric characters, symbols and upper and lowercase letters. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because strong passwords make it more difficult for cybercriminals to breach the security of their social media accounts.
3. Keep software and apps updated: Youth should ensure that their social media apps or software are up-to-date to prevent cyber attacks. Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software or apps to gain unauthorized access to an individual’s social media account. Up-to-date software or apps usually patch these vulnerabilities, which makes it harder for cybercriminals to launch an attack. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because it ensures their social media platforms are protected from cybercriminal activity.
4. Talk to parents or guardians: Youth should talk to their parents or guardians about their social media usage and establish open communication with them regarding cyber issues. Parents or guardians can provide guidance and support on how to stay safe while connecting with people online. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because it empowers youth to adopt good online behavior and become more cautious and vigilant when navigating social media platforms.
5. Use privacy settings: Youth should familiarize themselves with the privacy settings available on social media platforms they use. They should also adjust the settings accordingly to protect their online privacy according to their preferences. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because it reduces the risk of exposing sensitive information to malicious users, enhances privacy protection and prevents cybercriminal use of their data.
6. Use Two-factor authentication: Youth should enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security when logging into their social media accounts. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because two-factor authentication helps to enhance the security of their accounts by requiring an additional verification step when logging in, which makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain control of their accounts.
7. Be skeptical of unsolicited messages: Youth should be cautious of unsolicited messages, links or attachments that they receive via their social media accounts, emails, SMS or messaging apps. They should avoid clicking on unknown links and report any suspicious behavior to the social media platform authorities or their parents/guardians. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because it prevents them from falling victim to phishing, malware or other cyber attacks.
8. Think before posting: Youth should always think before posting anything on their social media accounts, as they could accidentally share sensitive information or make controversial or embarrassing comments that could potentially put themselves or their families at risk. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because it promotes responsible online behavior and helps to avoid the unintentional sharing of sensitive information.
9. Stay informed about cyber trends: Youth should stay informed about the latest cybercriminal tactics and trends to identify and avoid major risks associated with social media use. They can access information from trustworthy sources like cybersecurity websites or reputable online safety organizations. This strategy could lead to greater cyber safety because it helps to enhance their awareness and knowledge of cybersecurity issues, which can be utilized to identify and address potential threats that may arise during social media usage.