- 3 updates
Holidaymakers warned about what they share on social media
Brits off on their holidays are being warned not to post photos of their trip on social media, as it could make them vulnerable to burglary, according to a major insurer.
Research by The Co-operative Insurance found those aged 18-24 are the most likely to post about holidays online (68 per cent) but this falls to just 32 per cent for the over 55s.
Live updates
Social media users need to 'be aware of who is listening'
Social media users must "always be aware of who is listening in" if they want to share personal information with those close to them, and avoid potentially dangerous situations, according to an expert.
Rob Macpherson, from the think tank Demos, told Good Morning Britain the "onus" was on the social media user and urged them to keep any personal data vague so thieves could not use it to their advantage.
Tourists 'afraid social media will be read by thieves'
Some 45% of holidaymakers worry updates they post on social media will signpost their vacant home to thieves, fresh data has shown.
According to research by The Co-Operative Insurance:
- Three quarters of adults (75.5%) worry about home security when they go on holiday
- Holidaymakers in the West Midlands are the least security conscious with nearly two thirds (60%) admitting they check in on social media to boast about a trip away.
- Those in East Anglia are least likely to brag about their holiday online with just 37% admitting to doing so.
- Almost half (49%) said that they do not regularly check their privacy settings on their social media accounts.
- A further 10% saying they did not know how to change their settings making their lives open to snooping.
- When asked about their Facebook circle, 33% of adults said that they do not personally know everyone and many of their contacts are friends of friends.
Advertisement
Holidaymakers warned about sharing on social media
Holidaymakers are being warned against boasting about their trip on social media as it could be used by criminals planning a burglary, according to a think tank.
This information can be seized by thieves - according to research from Demos, some 78% of ex-burglars said they strongly believed social media platforms are being used to target property.
Research by The Co-Operative Insurance found over half (51%) of holidaymakers admitted to using social media to post reports of what they were up to abroad.
Some 68% of 18-24-year-olds posted about their holidays online while they were away, the data showed.
However, only 32% of the over 55s were as carefree with their holiday snaps on social media.