Digital Shadows: Keeping Your Family Safe from Social Stalkers
The Reality of Social Media Today
Social media has become a nearly indispensable part of our daily lives. We turn to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) for breaking news, TikTok for funny videos, and Facebook for nostalgic memories. For many of us, sharing aspects of our lives online feels almost expected.
If you're among those brave souls who have avoided social media altogether, stay strong—you're doing great! But for the rest of us, including our kids, social media is deeply integrated into our routines.
The Hidden Dangers of Social Media Stalking
Unfortunately, the line between digital interactions and our real-world lives can become blurred, leading to uncomfortable or even dangerous situations:
Influencers have been forced to move or hide their addresses after followers show up unexpectedly at their homes.
Family vloggers have faced harassment both publicly and privately.
Politicians and public figures have had personal information leaked online (known as "doxxing"), exposing them to serious risk.
These unsettling scenarios aren't reserved only for celebrities. Ordinary people like you and me also need to be aware of the risks associated with our online presence.
Watch Keeping Your Family Safe from Social Stalkers
Real-Life Example: Justin "Danger" Nunley
One of my favorite influencers and one who openly addressed social media stalking is Justin "Danger" Nunley. With over 12 million followers combined across TikTok and Instagram, Justin is known for humorous interruptions with random facts. Despite his popularity and friendly nature, he has had to politely ask his audience not to show up at his home.
Justin emphasizes that he's happy to meet fans publicly, but his home is off-limits. His experience illustrates how easily boundaries can be crossed, even unintentionally, when you have a significant online presence. No one thinks this will happen to them until it does.
How Stalkers Find Your Information
Whenever we post online, we're inadvertently sharing data that can reveal more than we realize:
Geolocation from photos or videos.
Patterns in posting that identify your favorite spots, daily routines, or when your home might be empty.
Personal details found on platforms like LinkedIn.
Public check-ins or tags that pinpoint your exact location.
Worst of all, if stalkers figure out your real name and location, they can easily purchase detailed personal information from data broker sites like Been Verified or White Pages. This data includes your address, phone number, email, family members, and even property value.
That's why I personally use DeleteMe to proactively remove my information from these platforms, helping maintain my privacy. DeleteMe is a service that removes my personal data from hundreds of data broker sites. If you'd like to know more, you can read my full review of their service.
Simple Steps to Protect Yourself on Social Media
Here are everyday precautions you can take immediately:
Turn Off Location Data
Disable location tracking in your phone settings.
Ensure images you share do not include embedded location data.
Turn off location services in your social media apps, and avoid live location tagging.
Practice "Lagposting"
Share posts from events or vacations after you've left. Posting in real-time reveals your current location, which can signal your absence from home, making your house vulnerable to burglary.
View Your Posts Through a Stalker's Eyes
Evaluate your posts critically—pay attention to backgrounds, recognizable landmarks, or sensitive details.
Be particularly cautious when sharing images of your children. Avoid showing identifiable school or location details that stalkers could exploit.
Anonymize Your Accounts
Use profile pictures and usernames that don't identify you personally.
Set accounts to private to further limit access.
Women and Social Media
It's an unfortunate reality that women, especially young women, face heightened risks of stalking and unwanted attention online. Awareness and extra caution are crucial. Your safety and privacy are far more valuable than social media fame or validation.
Taking Control of Your Privacy
Remember, you don’t need millions of followers to attract unwanted attention. Protect yourself by:
Adjusting your phone and social media privacy settings.
Practicing "lagposting."
Keeping your online profiles anonymous and private.
Regularly reviewing your posts with an adversarial mindset.
Your privacy is yours alone—you decide what you share and with whom. Staying proactive about your online presence is the best defense against social media stalking.
