Social media and Us

During this period of confinement, Internet users have used social networks more, through various digital media. We, therefore, asked ourselves what their habits were on the networks and whether they were aware of the dangers that this could represent.

For this, we created a survey that we shared with our community in order to get maximum feedback and constructive opinions.

Since 2018, our personal data has been protected by European law. This is the GDPR law.

What is the GDPR law?

Entered into force on May 25, 2018, the acronym GDPR means «General Data Protection Regulation».

The GDPR applies to anybody, regardless of its size, processing personal data on its own behalf or not, as long as it is established on the territory of the European Union or its activity targets directly European residents.

We conducted a questionnaire where 200 people responded. Internet users surveyed were students between the ages of 15 and 25. They represent the majority of users of social networks.

In addition, 50% of them use their phone between 3h and 5h a day. Then 44% spend more than 5h on the internet.

Thanks to our survey, we asked users to choose the social network they use most often. We found that the 3 most used social networks are 47% Snapchat, 22% Instagram and 21% Twitter.

In addition, we noticed that Internet

users use social networks, mostly (72%), to entertain themselves. The rest use them to create links and inform themselves.

In 2017, Instagram uncovered a hack that not only affected celebrities but also particular users. The contact data, personal as the e-mail address or the telephone number ended on the Darkweb.

And savvy users now know that Instagram belongs to Facebook… Snapchat would also store the data. Even if the photos and messages are likely to remain secret, your data is not. But, the social network, as it says, needs to keep: your phone directory, access your gallery and login information. Even the language of your messages and usage trends! Like what, Snapchat knows almost everything.

Our survey revealed that 57% of people felt observed on social networks. Meanwhile, 73% store their data via social networks, which may seem paradoxical. 43% of people think their data is not well protected against only 16% who think they are. Finally, 40% do not know if their data is protected.

Faced with this massive collection of data, the user probably has no recourse… But let’s be smart, the tricks exist! Even though traditional social networks represent the little jewels that we don’t want to touch…

we can sort it out! If some decide to delete some social networks, others remain on their guard.

First of all, a particularly relevant but annoying way, read the privacy conditions. Then you will know exactly what you are giving to the social network and you will be more aware of your posts. But what a long technique...

Finally, be vigilant!