9 vital things you might want to delete from your Facebook page

With billions of users, Facebook is one of the most powerful influencers in the world.

But with anything that powerful, you have to be careful how you deal with it. There are certain pieces of information you might want to consider not having on there, like your home address, or where you went to school.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal caused many people to question the role Facebook plays in their lives. Concerned about their privacy, some have deleted their accounts.

1. Birthday

Your birthday is one part of an important puzzle which also includes your name and address, with which people can more easily access your bank account and personal details.

2. Phone number

The best case scenario here is acquiring a polite admirer. Worst case scenario? A stalker who calls you incessantly.

3. Photographs of your child/ young family member 

Victoria Nash, acting director of the Oxford Internet Institute, posed a really good question on this subject, and it’s to do with consent:

What type of information would children want to see about themselves online at a later date?

Previous generations never needed to consider this, but the advent of the internet and social media has given this question more importance.

4. Where your child/ young family member goes to school

According to the NSPCC the number of recorded sexual offences has increased over the last year.

The report says:
Police recorded 36,429 sexual offences against children in the UK in 2013/2014… in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland police recorded the highest number of sexual offences against children in the past decade.

The last thing you want is to give an opportunity for a sex offender to find out where your child attends school.

5. Your location services 

Location services is only available on Android or iPhones.

In 2015 TechCrunch reported that over 500 million users accessed Facebook solely from their mobile, which means that the same number has the potential to broadcast their location online, and anyone who may or may not wish you harm now knows where are you.

6. Stop tagging your location 

People forget the fact that tagging your location at home actually gives away your address.

7. When and where you are going for holiday 

According to financial website This is Money, travelers who are burgled while they are on holiday may not get their insurance claim accepted if they posted their holiday plans on their social media accounts.

8. Credit card details in messenger 

Never. This is never a good idea.

9. Boarding pass pictures 

Taking a photo of your boarding pass is often a way to brag about your holiday, but don’t be silly! The barcode on your boarding pass is unique to you, and can be used to find the information you gave to the flight company.