With rising concerns about data security and online safety, more people are asking questions like:
- “How do I make Facebook private?”
- “What are Instagram’s privacy settings?”
- “How can I protect my personal information on social media?”
At Dogwood, your digital presence should be powerful and protected. Whether you’re managing your profile or your business brand, staying informed about social media privacy settings is essential. Here’s what you need to know—and how to take control.
How Do I Make My Facebook Account Private?
Facebook offers several tools to help limit who sees your content, but it takes a few steps to lock things down.
Step-by-Step: Make Facebook More Private
- Change who can see your future posts
Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy
Under “Your Activity,” set “Who can see your future posts?” to Friends or Only Me - Review your past posts.
Use the Limit Past Posts feature to bulk-restrict old content from public view. - Control friend requests and profile visibility
Under “How people find and contact you,” limit who can send friend requests and who can look you up by email or phone number - Turn off search engine linking.
Disable “Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?”
Pro Tip: Use Facebook’s Privacy Checkup tool for a guided review of your settings.
What Privacy Settings Should I Use on Instagram?
Instagram gives you the ability to control both your content and your interactions. Here’s how to strengthen your privacy:
Make Your Instagram Account Private
- Go to your profile
- Tap the three lines in the top-right corner > Settings and privacy
- Under “Account Privacy,” toggle Private account on
Additional Instagram Privacy Settings to Consider
- Hide your activity status:
Settings > Messages and story replies > Show activity status > Toggle off - Limit story visibility:
Choose who can see your stories by going to Settings > Story > Hide Story From - Restrict comments and tags:
Block or filter unwanted words in comments.
Control who can tag or mention you - Remove or block suspicious followers:
Tap their profile > Tap the three dots > Select Remove follower or Block
Why Is Social Media Privacy Important?
Every like, comment, and photo tells a story about you. But not every story is meant for everyone.
- Protect your identity: Reduce the risk of impersonation or data misuse
- Avoid oversharing: Keep your location, habits, and family details out of the wrong hands
- Control your brand: Whether you’re a business or individual, privacy is part of your professional image
At Dogwood, we advise clients, especially those managing business accounts, to balance visibility with caution. Just because your content is public doesn’t mean every detail should be.
What’s the Difference Between Privacy and Security?
While closely related, these two concepts have distinct roles:
Privacy: Who can see your content
Example: Limiting your Instagram to approved followers
Security: Protecting your account from breaches
Example: Enabling two-factor authentication
Both are necessary. If privacy settings are the front door lock, then security settings are the alarm system.
5 Quick Tips to Stay Safe on Social Media
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all platforms
- Use strong, unique passwords—and change them regularly
- Don’t share personal info like home addresses, phone numbers, or your full birthdate
- Be cautious with third-party apps that request access to your accounts
- Review permissions regularly—especially for business or team-managed accounts
Final Thoughts from Dogwood
The more we rely on social media for connection, the more critical it is to protect our digital spaces. Whether you’re a solo user or managing multiple brand pages, a few smart privacy moves can make a big difference.
If you’re unsure where to start or want help auditing your brand’s social presence, reach out. Dogwood can guide you through best practices for keeping your accounts secure without compromising your visibility or impact.
Have questions about your privacy settings? Contact us or explore our social media management services to get expert help securing your digital presence.
