Social Media Safety / Glossary
Social Media Safety glossary
Plain-language definitions of Social Media Safety terms, each linked to a short visual lesson.
- Algorithm (social media)
- A social media algorithm is the set of rules an app uses to decide which posts and videos to show you, and in what order.
- Catfishing
- Catfishing is when someone creates a fake online identity, with a made-up name, photos or age, to trick others into a friendship or relationship.
- Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online or by phone: hurtful messages, posts, comments, photos or leaving someone out, usually again and again.
- Dark patterns
- Dark patterns are design tricks in apps and websites that push you into doing things you didn't plan to, like spending more, sharing more or staying longer.
- Deepfake
- A deepfake is a picture, video or voice recording made or changed with AI so that it looks or sounds like a real person doing or saying something they never did.
- Digital footprint
- Your digital footprint is the trail of information you leave online: posts, photos, comments, likes, and what others share about you.
- Doxxing
- Doxxing is when someone finds and publishes another person's private information online, such as their full name, address, school or phone number, without permission.
- Filter bubble
- A filter bubble is when an app keeps showing you content that matches what you already watch or believe, so you see less of other views and topics.
- Influencer marketing
- Influencer marketing is when brands pay creators, or give them free products, to promote something to their followers.
- Loot box
- A loot box is a mystery item in a video game that you buy or earn without knowing what's inside until you open it.
- Misinformation
- Misinformation is false or misleading information that spreads, often shared by people who believe it is true. When it is spread on purpose to trick people, it is called disinformation.
- Money mule
- A money mule is someone who lets criminals move money through their bank account, often after being offered easy cash for "just receiving and sending a payment".
- Online grooming
- Online grooming is when someone builds a friendly, trusting relationship with a child or teen online so they can manipulate, exploit or abuse them.
- Sextortion
- Sextortion is blackmail: someone threatens to share a nude or sexual image of a person unless they send money, more images or do what they say.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a login that needs two things: your password plus a second proof, like a code from an app or text message, or a security key.