Online security is essential for any user of social media.

However, as we discovered this weekend, it can be particularly important for parents who share images of their children online.

There are ways to make sure your profiles are secure and only the right people can see the content that you upload.

Here’s our five tips for safe social media use.

1. Make your pictures private

Using Facebook on a desktop, go to the top right and select the padlock. Make sure only your friends can see what you post. There are customisation options if you want to fine tune your settings. This means that nobody can easily access the images you post.

2. Be wary of phishing

If you get an email asking you for your password, don’t provide it. You’ll never be asked for your password. The email will be dressed up to look either official or friendly but it is malicious.

3. If there’s somebody you don’t want to see something, think twice about posting

People are regularly getting into trouble for what they say on social media. Many have been reprimanded at work or even lost their jobs. It’s wise to not use social media as place to vent your anger in a way you might regret. A post about certain current affairs is usually fine, but a derogatory post about your boss is ill-advised.

4. Don’t use the same password for all your accounts

This can be a pain but it’s a big part of security. If somebody gets access to one of your accounts, then you don’t want them to have access to them all. Have several passwords that are easy to remember and only you would think to use.

5. Don’t leave yourself signed in anywhere and put a password on your devices

There are times when we like to leave ourselves signed into social media. It simply makes life easier. In these instances, put a password on your device. Many already do this with their phones but you can also do it with your laptop. This ensures people can’t access your accounts if they physically steal your device. You also shouldn’t leave yourself signed in on accounts using a device that doesn’t belong to you. Remember to sign out manually and ensure that your password isn’t remembered.