Whether you’re catching up with friends, staying in touch with family or just watching the latest cat video, social media offers endless ways to interact or distract. It’s also become the go-to way to conduct research and share recommendations for services.

Social media also comes with added risk. Think twice before you post a negative comment about a business online – even if you’ve had a lousy experience. If a business suffers damage to their reputation from an online review with false information – and experiences a demonstrated decrease in sales – they may have grounds for a libel lawsuit.

Social media best practices:

• If you wouldn’t say it offline, don’t say it online
• Be selective when it comes to what photos you choose post; if other people are included in the photo, get their permission before posting
• Talk to your kids about the risks of posting on social media, emphasizing the permanence of what’s posted
• Use discretion when posting about vacation plans; someone may see your posts and target your home while you’re away

Avoid the risk of anyone gaining access to your accounts by:

• Using strong passwords
• Using privacy settings on social media networks, and regularly checking your child’s settings
• Making sure firewall and security software is up to date
• Never sharing personal or confidential information with others online

Coverage for libel or slander is not included in a standard homeowners insurance policy. A separate personal umbrella policy or an excess liability policy is required to have this coverage. While extra insurance coverage can be helpful, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to establish what should and should not be shared, and to follow social media etiquette.

For more information, call your AAA insurance agent or visit: AAA.com/Insurance