“If you don’t pay for the product, you are the product” is an old saying that’s more relevant than ever with the rise of social media. But what exactly are the implications of people becoming the product? The consequences might just be more than you bargained for. This article will look at three ways people pay for using social media, and provide solutions for how to get your privacy and security back.
1. You pay with your data
The social media behemoth is built off the backs of our data. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube make money through advertising. This means that any scrap of your personal data is used to make money off you.
It goes further than that though. Public information on social media can be used against you by anyone. A CareerBuilder survey found that 74% of employers check applicants’ social media accounts before hiring, and 54% have rejected applicants based on their findings. You can also lose your livelihood once you’ve landed the job. Getting fired over social media posts has become commonplace in the 2020s.
2. You pay with your mental health
Theodore Roosevelt said “Comparison is the thief of joy.” His words have aged remarkably well in the digital age. Social media is a nonstop carousel of lavish weddings, trips to Tokyo, and financial milestones, all curated to make the posters seem like they’re living the high life. This can tempt users to make comparisons between what others post and their own life. This comparison game has been linked to mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, feelings of inadequacy, and low self-esteem.
Social media use can also have devastating impacts on mental health due to cyberbullying. In 2024, country star Jelly Roll quit social media after being bullied about his weight. He’s far from the only one, as stars like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish have also discussed their battles with online trolls. Of course, it happens to regular people as well, with 44% of American internet users reporting they have been harassed online.
The numbers are clear, as the American Psychological Association found that 41% of teens who have the highest use of social media rate their mental health as poor or very poor, compared to just 23% of teens in the group with the lowest use.
3. You pay with your identity
It’s not unusual to see people list sensitive information on social media, such as mobile numbers, email addresses, personal documents, and even financial information. For example in certain Facebook groups it’s commonplace for people to post their passports, visas, identity documents, and degree certificates while celebrating personal milestones.
Giving away this kind of information can make people targets for cyber criminals. The American Association of Retired Persons reported that American adults lost $43 billion to identity fraud in 2023. The report stated that social media is one of the key hunting grounds for cyber criminals, who can take over accounts or find sensitive information on the platforms.
Your personal information can also be at risk due to corporate data breaches. Data breaches affected one billion people in 2024, and the numbers continue to rise. Social media giants have been hit by large-scale data breaches numerous times in recent years. Google, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn have all been targeted in attacks that exposed the data of hundreds of millions of users in each case.
How to reclaim your privacy and security
Despite the dangers of social media, it’s undeniably a useful tool. Many users figure that the convenience of being able to instantly connect with anyone around the world is worth the trade off. However, if you’d like to reclaim your privacy and security when using social media, there are solutions.
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself:
- Minimize your exposure. Keep your personal social media profiles private, for example by setting your posts, personal information and photos to “Friends only” on Facebook.
- Use a VPN. VPNs encrypt your online information, which masks your IP address and hides your activity from anyone trying to monitor it, such as hackers or your internet service provider. VPNs are particularly useful when using public Wi-Fi or other networks outside your home, which are more vulnerable to attack. If you need a VPN for multiple devices. In that case, many providers offer plans to secure all your devices under one account, ensuring consistent protection across your phone, laptop, tablet, and more.
- Think before posting. Criminals can use what you post to target you for burglary or identity theft. Before posting, consider if the information should remain private or be posted at a later date. Examples of sensitive information include your address, current location, contact details, and private documents like passports, IDs, and certificates.
- Reduce your screen time. You can cut down your exposure to social media by only checking your accounts at certain times of the day, setting time limits, turning off notifications, and shutting down non-essential accounts. Removing the apps from your phone and only checking social media in the browser can also help remove the temptation to scroll.
