Social Media Puts North East People At Risk

27 December 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

There's a warning posting pictures of your new gadgets or info about when you're going to be away is putting you at risk of burglary.

Burglaries across the region spike over the festive season, with more being reported between November and January.

New research from Legal & General Insurance reveals that young social media users are still putting themselves at risk of burglary by oversharing details on social media sites, which means they may be a target for Digital Criminals.

Over half (56%) of the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram users asked say that they plan to post information letting their friends know when they are away from home this Christmas, such as when they are at parties and dinners.

Two out of five are planning to share photos and post updates about Christmas presents while nearly one in three (31%) say that they will be posting about new purchases during the festive period.

Those on Twitter and Instagram are at particular risk as Twitter users admit that on average they don't know two thirds of their followers, while Instagram users say that they know less than half (47%) of their followers. 

Ben Cohen's a social media expert. He's told Capital people are putting themselves at risk and not realising it:
"A third of people in the region don't have any control over privacy on their Facebook profiles.

That means anyone can see what they're posting, whether they're friends with them or not.

People should really consider updating their privacy settings."