Quick Overview
- Using real names online is more normal now but it is also harder to stay private.
- Meeting internet friends in real life is common these days but people still stay careful.
- People still overshare, just in new ways like tagging places or showing their room.
- Strong passwords are more common, and writing them down is not seen as a big deal anymore.
- Less fact-checking happens now even though false stuff spreads faster.
- Trolls get more attention these days, especially when people react to them.
- Old internet safety tips for kids do not work as well now with phones and social media.
- More people post videos now, but sometimes forget what is showing in the background.
- Privacy settings matter more today but a lot of people still ignore them.
- Online habits keep changing, but old advice still helps in a lot of situations.
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Some online safety tips that used to sound super important are not really followed anymore. Others just changed to fit how people use the internet now. A lot of this came from a Reddit thread where people shared how things have shifted over time.
Real Names Are Normal Now
You remember when people used screen names all the time? Most would not even say their real name unless they had to. But now, most apps or websites ask for your real name straight away—social media, delivery apps, even some games.
Today, it feels normal but once your name is out there, it is hard to stay private. People can search it, connect it to other stuff, or find your photos.
Meeting Internet Friends in Person
Back then, meeting someone from the internet felt risky. Everyone was told not to trust people online. Now it is more normal. A lot of people meet online friends in real life or even date someone they met through an app or a game.
People still try to be careful, like meeting in public, telling a friend where they are going, or bringing someone along. The risk is still there but people think about it differently now.
People Still Overshare, Just in New Ways
Oversharing has always been around. It just looks a bit different now. Some people blur faces but the photo still shows street signs, school names, or car plates without them realizing. Even stuff like fridge magnets or posters in your room can give away more than you think.
And then there is tagging your location or checking in somewhere. That makes it easier for someone to figure out your routine.
Password Habits Have Changed
Most people use stronger passwords now, and websites force you to use longer, harder ones. But remembering them? Still annoying. Writing them down used to be seen as bad, but now lots of people do it. Some leave it near their desk. Some keep a list in a notebook.
Password managers are safer but not everyone uses them. Some do not trust them. Others just forget they exist.
People Scroll More, Question Less
Back then, people used to double-check stuff they saw online. Now, most just scroll through, react, and move on. Fake news, AI images, edited videos—they all spread faster these days. Not everyone stops to check if something is real before they share it.
Trolls Today Get More Reactions
Old advice said to just ignore trolls and they would go away. That still works sometimes, but nowadays trolls get attention fast. People argue with them, reply with jokes, or share their posts without thinking. The more people react, the more the platform shows it to others.
Some trolls even post stuff just to make people mad. And sadly, it works.
Old Safety Tips for Kids Do Not Work the Same
Stuff like “keep the computer in the living room” or “check their browser history” does not really help now. Kids have smartphones. A lot of apps use encrypted chats or disappearing messages.
It is harder for parents to keep track. And in many cases, the kids are better with tech than the adults trying to watch over them.
People Share Videos, but Forget the Background
Photos used to be the main thing people worried about. These days, it is all videos: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts. People film in their rooms, in their cars, at work… and sometimes forget what is showing behind them.
Even a short video can show your street, your schedule, or small stuff that strangers could use.
Privacy Settings Are There, but People Skip Them
Most apps let you choose what others can see. But a lot of people never touch those settings. Some leave everything public without meaning to. Others think they are private but the app’s default settings actually show more than they expect.
It helps to check your settings once in a while especially after an update.
Online Safety Keeps Shifting, but Basics Still Help
Even with all the changes, a lot of the old advice still makes sense. Things like not clicking on weird links, being careful who you talk to, and thinking before you post—those still matter. The tools are different now, but the risks are still there.
Source: Reddit