Stress Awareness Month: how to fight stress on social media

Woburn, MA – April 11, 2024 – Today Kaspersky is sharing a set of digital wellbeing tips in recognition of Stress Awareness Month. Observed every April since 1992, Stress Awareness Month serves as a critical reminder of the importance of managing stress for maintaining users’ mental and physical health. Social media has emerged as a significant source of stress, contributing to the proliferation of anxiety and stress-related issues among users.  

In addition to flooding us with too much information and making us feel like we’re missing out, social media also exposes us to scammers who can use personal information for profit. Understanding how social media affects users’ well-being is crucial for managing stress. It’s important to learn how to have a healthier relationship with these digital spaces.

In order to minimize the negative impact of social networks on digital wellbeing, Kaspersky experts suggest several simple tips:

Privacy can be enhanced in account settings

Appropriately configuring the privacy settings of online accounts is a crucial step towards safeguarding personal information and maintaining digital security. By customizing who can view a profile and posts, users can significantly reduce the risk of unwanted interactions with strangers who may have bad intentions. This proactive measure mitigates potential threats such as stalking, identity theft, doxing, and phishing scams. Following instructions of the online service Privacy Checker will help users to manage their privacy settings on the most popular social networks.

Selective connections and strategic sharing

By limiting connections to people users know personally, they reduce the chances of encountering scammers and receiving harmful or malicious content. Encountering inappropriate content, such as scenes of violence or cruelty, can lead to discomfort. By controlling their digital environment through thoughtful acceptance of friend requests, customers contribute to a more positive and secure online experience.

In addition, using social networking tools to group friends allows for more personalized sharing. By categorizing friends, users can share more personal content with a close group, thereby gaining the benefits of social sharing with less risk.

Treat any link as a potential red flag

Every link encountered on the internet should be approached with caution, even if it arrives via a personal message from a friend, since there’s always a possibility that their account has been compromised. Behind seemingly harmless links on social media, phishing schemes often lurk, disguised to mimic legitimate websites. These deceptive sites are designed to trick users into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords, financial details, and other personal data.

The similarity of these phishing sites to their genuine counterparts can easily lead to confusion, significantly increasing the risk of personal data loss. This digital menace underscores the importance of vigilance and the adoption of secure online practices, such as verifying the authenticity of websites before inputting any information and using a comprehensive security solution.

A weak password is a godsend for a scammer

A weak password significantly simplifies the task for individuals with malicious intentions, making it easier for them to gain unauthorized access to social media accounts. Once compromised, these accounts can be exploited in numerous harmful ways, such as deceiving people in your contact list or engaging in blackmail and extortion. A strong, complex password acts as a critical first line of defense against such threats, helping to safeguard personal information and digital identity, preventing the stress and complications associated with dealing with hacked accounts.

Furthermore, employing a reliable password manager not only enhances your online security but also relieves the stress of remembering multiple complex passwords, pushing your protection against cyber threats to its maximum.

Reporting suspicious activity and cyberbullying

Online platforms can be our allies in the quest for digital safety and tranquility, with a vested interest in the security and satisfaction of their users. When you report destructive content or cyberbullying, you’re not only protecting yourself, but also contributing to the wider community’s wellbeing. Such reports enable social media companies to take appropriate actions, such as removing harmful content, banning malicious accounts, or implementing new safety features, thereby fostering a safer online space for everyone.

“In the social media space, combining technology with making informed choices is the best way to safeguard our mental well-being,” Anna Larkina, web content analysis expert at Kaspersky. “Kaspersky solutions that enhance users’ privacy and security, along with a conscious approach to digital engagement, can transform our online experience from a source of stress to one of positive interaction.”

About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection, specialized security products and services, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help over 220,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.