Personal information your personal and health data online
How to navigate social media as a medical scheme member
We are doing everything possible to ensure the protection of your, or your dependant’s personal and health information. Before we share your information with a third party we will ask for your consent. We will also ask you for permission if your dependant requests access on your member login on the Scheme website and limit the amount of information that can be seen by the different parties.
While you click your way through the web and social media, are you always aware of the details you share with the world? Here are a few scenarios and explanations of why they could be damaging to your, or others’ cyber health.
Posting a photo of an accident scene
Please don’t. Not only can this be humiliating and cause reputational damage for the victims, but often the families of the victims have not been informed about the accident before the photos are made public.
Posting a photo of a newborn
Have you seen those cute hospital photos of a baby that include ‘personal and private data’ like weight, height and colour of their eyes? Would you want to share online, where child trafficking organisations are watching, the picture of a baby with the date of birth, ID number, name of the mother and the hospital where the baby will be for the next 48 hours?
Photos with GEO location
Remember, photos you post from your smartphone often have GEO tags. That means that one could extract the exact address of where the photo was taken. Whether that’s your living room or your psychologist’s practice.
Posting photos of someone in hospital
We see more and more photos of patients in hospital, wishing them a speedy recovery or sharing with ‘friends or family’ how they are, including information on the condition. Please only do so if you have the patient’s consent and, if you are the patient, ensure that the hospital staff and your family know whether you would prefer not to have your photo taken and published while you are unconscious or simply not looking your best.
Asking for health advice or complaining about health services on online platforms
Have you considered all the people who might find this information about you later in life? A new friend, a potential employer or future in-laws? Please be aware that you could share your ‘patient’ file with the whole world, including your condition, who your doctor is and maybe even which treatment or medical aid you can or cannot afford.
The risks of social media don’t only apply to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. They also include SMS, WhatsApp, email and any other digital communication tool. A message or photo that was only meant for one specific person can still be shared by that one person and snowball from there. Once you click ‘send’ or ‘post’ it is out of your control who will see it. Experts say: “Only distribute electronically what you are happy to see on a highway billboard together with your name and picture.”
Teach children cyber savvy manners
Even though most parents or grandparents don't understand why social media and being connected via cyberspace is so important to the youth, it is imperative that we support them by teaching them to read the Terms and Conditions of the applications they use, how their digital footprints could influence their employability and that they need to ask for help if they are in trouble.
UNISA published research (2014) done to determine the online safety of high school learners in Gauteng and at that time, 97.7% of the 1 467 learners they spoke to had access to the internet. 87% accessed the internet via their cellphones and more than 30% via home and personal computers at home. They are being prepared for jobs which might not even exist yet, and as parents we should support them on this journey of discovery, while giving them the needed tools to be safe.
SaveTNet Cyber Safety (www.savetnet.com) is an organisation that aims to save lives by creating awareness for responsible digital engagement. Rianette Leibowitz, CEO at SaveTNet says: “By being more aware of what we post and the difference between personal and private information, we could keep our own data safer while enjoying the benefits of social media. Your digital footprint is your responsibility and with every click, share and like you are leaving footprints in digital space wherever you go.”
Start the conversation and speak to your family and friends about how to behave online. It doesn’t help if you do everything right but others tag you in a photo or talk about you online.
About SaveTNet Cyber Safety:
SaveTNet Cyber Safety NPC is a for-purpose company, which aims to save lives by creating awareness for responsible digital engagement. We do this, by offering a NETwork of support through partners and SaveTNet is the first point of reference for people who need cyber safety information or help. In this way, SaveTNet also helps to fight the dark side of the web, by adding support to the group who is fighting digital pornography, human trafficking, sexual grooming and other related issues. More information on: http://www.savetnet.com/, https://www.facebook.com/SaveTNetSA/, @SaveTNet, info@SaveTNet.com