This article is part of Her Guide to Life, a Bom Bom Girl series on what it takes to thrive as a girl or young woman today.
Your online life is real life. What you post, share and click can follow you for years, and the people you meet online aren’t always who they say they are. You don’t need to be afraid of the internet. You just need to be smart about it and stay in charge.
Protect Your Personal Information
- Don’t post your address, school schedule, daily routine or real-time location. Share trips after you leave a place, not while you’re there.
- Check what’s visible in the background of photos: street signs, house numbers, uniforms, mail.
- Use strong, different passwords for each account and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Review your privacy settings every few months. Apps change them often.
Recognize Manipulation
Some people online are skilled at building fake trust. Warning signs include: someone who showers you with attention very quickly, asks you to keep your conversations secret, pushes you to move to a private app, asks for photos, or asks for money or gift cards. Anyone who pressures you, threatens you or makes you feel trapped is not your friend.
If something online ever makes you feel unsafe, stop responding, save screenshots, block and report the account, and tell a trusted adult. You will not be in trouble for asking for help. If you’re ever in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.
Think Before You Share
Before you post, ask: Would I be okay with a future employer, college or my grandmother seeing this? Screenshots last forever, even on “disappearing” apps. That goes for other people’s photos and secrets too. Respecting their privacy builds trust.
Set Digital Boundaries
Social media is designed to keep you scrolling. Take back control:
- Turn off non-essential notifications.
- Set app time limits and stick to them.
- Keep your phone out of your bedroom at night if you can.
- Curate your feed so it inspires you rather than drains you.
You don’t owe anyone an instant reply. “Seen” is not a contract.
Three Things to Try This Week
- Do a privacy check on your two most-used apps and lock down anything that’s public by default.
- Turn on two-factor authentication for your email and main social account.
- Set a daily time limit for the app you use most.
Keep going: Read Turn Your Voice Into Action, or explore the full Her Guide to Life series.