‘Good morning’, ‘good night’, recipe videos or home tips, innocent jokes, cards with motivational phrases, impressive news. Who among us hasn’t forwarded something like this on WhatsApp?

The intention may even be good in sharing information we think is interesting, but the truth is that sending this material via the app, randomly, is annoying, clutters the phone's memory, and poses risks to users' security!

The ideal is to resist the impulse to resend messages and ask yourself if that material really makes sense for the person who will receive it or if it is only relevant to you. This is an important step to avoid the viral spread of Fake News, messages of prejudice, and even attempts at scams.

3 Tips for data protection on WhatsApp

On holidays like Christmas, when the circulation of messages on WhatsApp increases significantly, taking care of the type of information we disseminate is essential to avoid embarrassment and cancellations.

Here are some tips:

1. Do not forward links to offers from any establishment. There are scammers who take advantage of the credibility of large companies and create false promotions. By clicking on the advertised links, the user is directed to a site that is actually a trap. The user's phone may be hacked and personal information stolen;

2. Check whether such promotions and discount vouchers actually exist by visiting the company’s official website and, if necessary, make purchases there, as this digital environment has more effective security measures. DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS via WhatsApp, NOR PROVIDE PASSWORDS;

3. The same advice applies to clickable Christmas cards. The reasoning is the same: they redirect you to a seemingly harmless site so that you also create a card and during the registration, your data is stolen.

3 Tips for ensuring privacy on WhatsApp

1. Do not create groups without first asking for permission to include contacts;

2. Sending unsolicited messages is an invasion of privacy, may be considered SPAM, and is subject to reporting and even blocking by the tool. Always promote the option to leave the group or not receive such content anymore.

3. Do not share the contact of third parties without their express permission. This is especially true for companies, which may face sanctions for violating the General Data Protection Law (LGPD);

4 Tips for promoting non-violent communication on WhatsApp

1. Always think about the impact that the information you wish to share will have on the message recipient. Can the content cause discomfort? Does it cause embarrassment? Does it use inappropriate language or images? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, do not forward;

2. In groups, especially those for study and work, avoid sending random content unrelated to what is being discussed there. After all, nobody wants to be silenced in the group, right?

3. Avoid creating controversy. Resist sending messages that may provoke polarization among group members;

4. Check the veracity of news and be wary of unknown websites.

In the eagerness to connect with people, we run the risk of starting interactions in an inappropriate way and creating distance, instead of closeness. Healthy communication is made of empathy, care, and protection, and we can all make WhatsApp a tool that multiplies GOOD content, spreading love, understanding, and unity among users.

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