What are three recommendations for reducing risk and improving the privacy of your personal information while using social media?

1. Treat the "about me" fields as optional.

2. Become a master of privacy settings.

3. Know the people you friend.

Explanation:

1. Treat the "about me" fields as optional.

Because these fields are offered, however, doesn't mean you must fill them out. Consider offering a general version of the information requested or simply leaving the field blank. For instance, listing only your state of residence, instead of both city and state, can make it harder for others to figure out exactly where you live.

2. Become a master of privacy settings.

All social media sites give you the option to limit post viewing to specific audiences. Take the time to explore these settings, try different options, and become a master of their use.

3. Know the people you friend.

Once upon a time, social media users competed with one another to have the largest number of connections. Today, however, smart social media users know that the more people you're connected to, the harder it is to control what happens to the information you post. Make sure you know the people you add on social media, in real life if possible. Don't hesitate to use the "block" feature when the situation seems to call for it.