Think Before You Click Awareness In Social Media

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 19, 2025, 12:10 AM

think before you click awareness in social media

© 2025 Prezi Inc. Terms & Privacy Policy © 2025 Prezi Inc. Terms & Privacy Policy With an incoming crush of cutting-edge AI tools and more than 10,0000 websites created every hour, information is more accessible than ever. Anyone with an internet connection can find online “sources” on nearly any subject and share them on social media platforms.

Bogus stories and fake videos are only a click away, which is why media literacy has become an indispensable skill. “Media can amplify harmful messages and bad behaviors, mislead and confuse people, recruit and unite extremist elements, and be used in unintended ways,” said Grant Kien, Cal State East Bay professor of communication. “It can be hard even for experts to keep up with rapid changes in technology and trends, so media literacy gives us a basic toolkit that we can use to judge any media content... According to Kien, who studies media and its impact, people need to maintain a healthy skepticism and think about the message’s creator, format, audience, content and purpose before deciding whether to believe and/or proliferate... When it comes to social media, studies have shown that 59 percent of all links shared on social networks aren't actually clicked on at all. Kien says there are five tips he has for anyone on social media.

Kien says it isn’t just personal policing, we also need to watch our children as they navigate a world where algorithms are leveraged to captivate them with inexhaustible streams of content. If we are not media literate, how can we expect our children to be able to discern the truth and balance the need for technology with health and safety? He advises parents to monitor and limit their children's media use. If they resist you regulating it, he says that's understandable since apps are designed to keep us scrolling and engaged. Millions upon millions of people worldwide flock to social networking sites to read and to speak their minds. It is the power of these astounding numbers that makes, without doubt, the internet as the most powerful and influencing media today.

But as internet users, do we know how much we must take responsibility for what we write or say or put in the web? Yes, it is known that we have freedom in the internet. But then again, have we asked ourselves to be more mindful of what we post or to think before we hit the enter key? “THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK” is the strong message of an internet safety campaign designed to protect teenagers from overexposing themselves on social networking sites. The International Computer Science Institute (ICSI) scientist Gerald Friedland, studies cyber casing, the use of online information to mount attacks in the real world, and, and recommends users consider the following before posting anything... Here are the questions that you can ask yourself to consider before posting online on social media:

Nowadays, teens approach privacy in a substantially different manner than adults. In most cases, adults will think first and then asked, post and share later. However, teens will take significant risks first, suffer the consequences and then seek assistance from adults and professionals. Evidently, teens are at greater risks because they use social media as a tool to convey acceptance and express themselves, which could include sharing their personal information, such as phone numbers, addresses and photographs. Once they have determined the ramifications of their actions, teens will seek help from others online, eliminate this information or go offline entirely. Here are the most basic risks posed by social media and social networking:

The internet and social media has indeed become such a powerful tool. But don’t forget that we are the ones who operate it. We might have freedom to do whatever we wish on the internet, but we must limit our actions because if we won’t be mindful enough, we can destroy lives. We have the power to make the decision. Before clicking that enter key, THINK and RETHINK. Help build a healthier, more loving and constructive online world.

Social media is everywhere, from Facebook and TikTok to YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter/X. It connects us to people, information, and ideas faster than ever before. But with this power comes responsibility. In this WebQuest, you’ll dive into the world of social media to understand its influence, impact, and ethical use. You’ll explore how it affects our thinking, relationships, and even our mental health, and create a campaign to promote safe and responsible use of social media among students. You will work in groups to create an informative campaign (in the form of a video, digital poster, or presentation) that highlights both the benefits and risks of social media.

Your goal is to raise awareness and encourage responsible use of these platforms in your school or community. A campaign material (e.g., a short video, infographic, or poster) Group yourselves (3–5 members per team). Social media’s influence on identity and self-image Cyberbullying - harassment, threats, or humiliation through digital platforms Online Predators - strangers who manipulate or exploit teens through social media or chat rooms

Privacy Risks - oversharing personal information, leading to identity theft or stalking Inappropriate Content - exposure to harmful, violent, or explicit material Scams and phishing - fraudulent messages or links tricking teens into giving personal details I've been using social media platforms for over 15 years, and with my background in cybersecurity and anthropology, I want to share essential tips on how to stay safe while enjoying these platforms. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or any other social space, understanding basic cybersecurity practices is crucial. Social media is deeply embedded in our lives, connecting us socially, economically, politically, and even spiritually.

But with great connectivity comes great risk. A growing trend in social media is users who don’t post, don’t have profile pictures, and even lock their accounts, yet they are the most active online. Some believe this keeps them safe. The truth? It doesn’t. Privacy settings alone don’t guarantee security, understanding how to manage your digital footprint does.

I’ll discuss this in detail in my next article. Humans change. Our ideologies evolve over time. That’s why it’s important to review your social media posts regularly. Read through your old posts, if something no longer represents who you are, delete it. Years ago, I reviewed my Facebook history and was shocked at my younger self’s posts, relationship drama, deep personal thoughts, and unstable ideologies.

Many of those posts no longer aligned with who I had become, so I removed them. Your old posts could harm your reputation, career, or business. Some posts have short lifespans and should be deleted quickly. Others might last for years, while some can remain forever. Reviewing your social media ensures that nothing from your past is used against you in the future. Better to delete it now than regret it later.

Beyond posts, evaluate the groups you’ve joined, pages you follow, and comments you leave. Do they align with your values? I often see respected professionals and role models following questionable groups and channels. Your online activity speaks volumes about your character. For instance, if you’re a pastor yet you follow a group called "Big Sugar Mamas," something is off. If you’re a mother of six but are in a group called "Men with Big Tails," what message are you sending?

Your digital actions matter. Take control of your narrative by unfollowing, unsubscribing, and leaving groups that don’t reflect who you are. A few years ago, someone was set to receive a leadership position managing Nairobi City, in Kenya. But during a background check, an old post surfaced where they suggested destroying Nairobi’s national park to make space for buildings. This directly clashed with the government's conservation agenda, and they lost the job. This is a classic case of how old posts can come back to haunt you.

Your social media history is part of your online reputation, think before you post, and regularly audit your digital footprint. Not everything needs to be shared. A common mistake is oversharing personal details, which can affect future relationships and careers. Imagine a young man who constantly posts about his wild nightlife, excessive drinking, and reckless behaviour. Years later, when he’s ready to settle down, his potential partner’s family comes across these posts. It raises doubts about his character.

Similarly, a young woman posts pictures in questionable settings with captions hinting at relationships. Years later, when she’s looking for a serious relationship, those posts could turn potential partners away. Some things should remain private, social media is not a personal diary. Cybersecurity incidents rarely begin with highly sophisticated attacks. More often, they originate from something far more routine: a simple click. In fact, 90% of all cyberattacks start with a phishing email.

This carelessness may result in disclosing internal networks, stealing essential data, and damaging the finances of the companies and their reputation, which could be just caused by one click through a bad link or... So what can organizations do to address this deceptively small but profoundly risky behavior? Building a strong digital mindfulness practice among people is the answer. Think before you click, which should become a habit across different teams, processes, and policies. In modern times, things like misspelled words and questionable links are not always signs of phishing and social engineering. Now, cybercriminals can create messages that are meant for one target, which makes them easy to miss by typical security filters.

Think Before You Click Awareness In Social Media

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