Look After You! Protecting Yourself Online as an Entrepreneur
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m telling you about protecting yourself online. It’s super important, but people hardly ever talk about it!
Four things today: your footprints, comparing, mean comments, and how apps pick what you see.
Your digital footprints
Everything you post online can leave a footprint. And it might stay there forever! You can delete some posts. But the app might already have saved them. Or somebody took a screenshot!
The internet never really forgets!
Private isn’t sneaky
Staying private doesn’t mean hiding so nobody can find you. If somebody does something against the law online, even without their name, the authorities can find out who it was.
Staying private is about not being sorry later. When you’re a beginner, you might post things before you really know what you want to stand for.
So whatever you share, with or without your face, be kind to others. Share things you’ll be proud of in a few years.
And it doesn’t have to be perfect! What matters is that it’s real. You can show your face if that feels right, but you don’t have to.
The comparing trap
Our brains compare what we see online with our own lives. Without even noticing! Especially on social media, where we see SO much, all the time.
So remind yourself, or ask somebody close to remind you: social media shows the shiny, bright version of people’s lives. Normal days hardly ever get posted!
Have a trusted helper
Comparing is really hard to stop. In real life, you never see that many people at once. Online, you suddenly see little bits of maybe millions of people and businesses!
And most of it is the happy side. That can make anybody feel confused or not good enough. Even super confident grown-ups!
So stay grounded. Have somebody kind next to you, like a friend, family member or a professional.
Getting good with computer tools
Grown-ups call it digital literacy. For a beginner, it means getting comfy with the tools, so you can use them safely and well. Once the basics feel easy, new things get easier too.
Mistakes will happen! Then ask for help, with the techy stuff and with your feelings.
Mean comments
This might be the biggest danger online. You can’t always avoid people judging you. No matter what you do, and no matter how kind you are, some people will criticize. Some will even complain that you DON’T show your face!
They’re allowed to have opinions. But some people think they should say mean things, and don’t care if it hurts.
Lynnaider says this very clearly: some people know mean comments hurt them. Others think they don’t care, and then find out it hurts more than they thought. So please don’t skip this part!
Get ready ahead of time. Keep the number of someone you can call on your phone. A friend, a family member, or a professional. If a comment makes you feel worried, you’ll have help ready.
What’s next?
The next article is about the other side of safety: protecting others, with honest ads and checking facts. The whole book is on our products page. Want a kind grown-up next to you as you start? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
What’s a digital footprint?
The marks you leave online. Even deleted posts might be saved somewhere.
If I don’t show my face, can I post anything?
No! Private is about not being sorry later, not about hiding bad stuff.
Why do I feel worse after scrolling?
Because your brain compares, and social media shows mostly the shiny parts.
How do I get ready for mean comments?
Expect some. And keep the number of someone you can call.
What’s digital literacy?
Getting comfy with computer tools. Mistakes are normal, and asking for help is too.
Are there step-by-step lessons for starting each of the ten ways cheaply?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
Is there a cheap way to start?
Yes! Lynnaider shows you how to start each of the ten ways for free, or for very, very little money. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step!
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
