That it is your responsibility, not just the government or the social media companies, to protect yourself and everyone connected to you in those online spaces....
DIGISMART
Did you know it is actually your responsibility as a citizen to know how to be safe online as you go around using different social media applications or other applications on multiple devices? That it is your responsibility, not just the government or the social media companies, to protect yourself and everyone connected to you in those online spaces. One of the workshops that the WOW festival 2021 held in collaboration with DRF’s Nighat Dad elaborated on what it means to be digital in this increasingly connected age.
Don’t be ignorant
One of the most important things is to recognise the different features of these applications for what they are whether it’s security feature, privacy feature, etc. So educate yourself. Whenever you happen to use Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, TikTok and so on, check out their security settings first. Secondly, with respect to Facebook especially, keep an eye on the list of people added to your profile and ask yourself if they’re they really your friends or just random people or friends you once knew but no longer connect with.
Choose strong passwords
Passwords are crucial for your digital security. From your mobile and laptops to your emails and social media ids, a password ensures that no one else has access to your stuff unless you allow them. Now the deal is to have a strong password, something which cannot be by hunched or cracked easily. For instance, this could be a phrase in your native language with numbers and/or symbols.
But that’s not the end. In order to keep hackers and scammers at bay, keep changing your passwords every few weeks. Also, never keep the same password for all your accounts; choose unique passwords for each of your profile, emails, and devices.
Save yourself from social hacking
Heard about WhatsApp accounts getting hacked? Those individuals received a code on their WhatsApp and were shortly afterwards asked to share it by one of their friends. The catch was that the friend or family member asking for the respective code already had their accounts compromised. So remember, you should not share any code with anyone under any circumstances.
Similarly, never click on any links shared through these mediums without verifying it with a call to the other person first.
Check two-factor authentication
This refers to a security process whereby you can protect your credentials in a better way. A strong password coupled with two-factor authentication gives you more control over who gets to access your accounts. If you haven’t already, go to your application’s security feature where you’ll find this option; enable it.
Taking care of your digital wellbeing
The work from home culture was a very new concept introduced to most of us during the lockdown due to Covid-19. When offices started to close worldwide, a lot of countries reported a greater use of digital technology not only by adults who were working virtually, but students too who had to study online. One of the major problems that popped up was time management. Attending one Zoom meeting after another seemed easy initially until the working hours started to prolong and our days got stretched simply because there was no proper schedule. Naturally, it affected our mental health and, consequently, our productivity.
The point is you have to take care of tour digital hygiene during this pandemic so you can keep performing. You have to identify what’s the problem and address it to avoid burnout. Following are some tips you can consider as a responsible digital citizen:
It won’t be the end of the world if you mute the notifications of the various apps, particularly social media, which you’re using during the lockdown. This way, you’ll be able to focus on completing one task at a time without the pressure of checking your social media every few seconds.
There’s no balance between your personal and professional lives since you’re literally spending the whole day on your devices to fulfil professional obligations. You used to wrap up your work at office only and came home on time to spend the remaining day with your family, right? So make a conscious effort to divide your time accordingly. Like not use your devices when you’re eating or relaxing with your family. Especially when you want your kids to emulate the behaviour, you have to be a role model for them.
Just like you have to maintain your hygiene for your health, your devices need your attention as well for optimal performance. Delete stuff that no longer serves any purpose. As a social media consumer, mute, block, delete/unfollow all those people and pages that share toxic content because they’d also be affecting your mental wellbeing directly or indirectly. Limit your digital interaction basically.
Make it a habit to not use your mobile phone or laptop during the night especially when you are lying down for sleep. Keep them away from your bed so you won’t be tempted even if you wake up during the night. A proper sleep is essential for your productivity next day.
Note: If you have any issues regarding your digital safety and wellbeing, don’t hesitate to reach out at the cyber harassment helpline (0800-39393) that is available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
