We know—it is not our job to clip cupid’s wings or douse the Valentine vibe—but it is our job to help keep things safe for you and your family online. That said, McAfee recently released the study, Love, Relationships, and Technology:When Private Data Gets Stuck in the Middle of a Breakup. The study examines the downside of sharing personal data in relationships and discloses how breakups can lead to exposure of private data.
Today is a great day to have that “refresher” conversation with your kids (and yourself) about smart digital “love” moves. Despite the headlines and risks, the study shows that 36% of Americans still plan to send sexy or romantic photos to their partners via email, text and social media on Valentine’s Day.
- 28% of people have regretted (once they broke up) sending intimate content
- 32% have asked their ex-partner to delete the personal content.
- 28% of people—once broken up—regret their online actions with a partner.
Be smart when it comes to love:
- Do not share passwords with your significant other (unless you are married and it is a mutual thing).
- Password protect your phone in case vengeance becomes part of a break up.
- Delete personal or intimate texts, posts, or direct messages if you don’t want to see them show up other places.
Remind yourself and those under your digital care that while a past love may be long gone from your memory but the Internet never forgets. Losing control of personal photos and intimate conversations might very well be the most painful thing you can loose if a relationship goes south.