**Protect Your Online Identity: A Simple Guide to Social Media Privacy Settings** As Nigerians, we spend a significant amount of time online, sharing our lives on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. But have you ever stopped to think about what information you're sharing with the world? From your full name to your location, friends, and even your daily activities, your social media profiles can reveal more about you than you might think. In reality, most people's social media profiles are more visible than they should be. This is because social media platforms are designed to be open and social by default, with default settings that prioritize public visibility. But, as cybersecurity researchers at Incogni found out in 2025, these platforms can be quite aggressive in collecting user data, with some apps collecting up to 37 out of 38 possible types of device data. The good news is that making a few simple changes to your settings can significantly reduce your online exposure. In this guide, we'll walk you through the most important privacy settings on the social media platforms you use most, without requiring any technical knowledge. **Why You Should Take Control of Your Online Privacy** Before we dive into the platform-by-platform breakdown, it's essential to understand how social media platforms work. By default, these platforms are set to maximize your public visibility, which means more engagement, more data collected, and more advertising revenue. However, this also means that your information is publicly available until you take the time to review and adjust your settings. To stay safe online, it's crucial to review your social media privacy settings at least once every six months. Platforms regularly update their policies and introduce new features, which can affect your online visibility. By building this habit, you can take control of your online identity and protect yourself from potential risks. **Platform-by-Platform Guide to Social Media Privacy Settings** In the next section, we'll provide a step-by-step guide to adjusting your social media privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. Stay tuned!