Vertical Drama Star? Make sure you stay safe online
Congratulations – You’re in a Hit Vertical Drama!
People are discovering you online, recognizing your talent, and following your journey. It’s an amazing feeling! Your hard work is paying off, and you’re stepping into the spotlight. The internet is mostly a wonderful place – 85% of it is filled with opportunities to connect, create, and share your story with good people all around the world.
But that other 15%? It can be hostile, invasive, and even dangerous.
Fame brings attention, and not all of it is positive. Some people might try to dig into your life, find out where you live, or even impersonate you online. Staying safe is not about being paranoid; it’s about being smart and prepared.
With your new visibility comes a need to be cautious. Don’t underestimate what people on the internet are capable of. These things will happen:
People will take screenshots of all your stories, zoom in and examine them
People will record when you go live
People will comb the internet to find everything they can about you
People will not respect your boundaries
People will feel you owe them something
People can turn nasty very quickly
I’ve been a victim of online stalking and harassment, and I’ve seen the worst of it. That’s why I want you to know the dangers and take the steps you need to stay protected.
I see myself as your online mum – I’ve been through it, and I want you to be safe. I don’t want what I experienced to happen to you. So yes, I’m going to scare you a little bit, but I promise it’s for a good reason. My goal is to help you understand the risks and give you clear steps to protect yourself. That way, you can get back to what really matters: enjoying your success and connecting with your fans safely and confidently.
Your Mental Health Comes First
Fame can be exhilarating but also exhausting. It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed sometimes. Make it a priority to take care of your mental health:
Find Your Tools: Therapy, meditation, journaling, or simply unplugging regularly can make a big difference. If you're worried about missing out on roles or losing followers because you take time away, remember that your well-being always comes first. A healthy mind helps you perform better, act confidently, and handle the pressures of fame with more ease.
Get Out into the Real World: Take breaks from the screen and immerse yourself in offline experiences. It won’t harm your career if you step away for a bit. In fact, crashing mental health will have a much bigger impact than stepping back occasionally. If you need to disconnect from social media for a while, do it unapologetically. True fans will always support your well-being over constant updates.
You don’t owe anyone your life or your time. Being a public figure doesn’t mean you have to give away your privacy or respond to every DM. You are allowed to keep parts of your life private and set boundaries.
Set Boundaries Early
Decide what you’re comfortable sharing and practice deflecting uncomfortable questions. Remember, you can always block and report if things cross the line.
If someone pushes for more access than you are comfortable with, you have every right to say no. Your mental health and safety always come first.
YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BLOCK PEOPLE
Curate your social media and online space so it is a source of happiness and safety for you. If someone disrupts that, if they make you feel uneasy, drained, or uncomfortable, you have every right to protect your peace.
✨ Hit that block button without hesitation.
✨ Curate your space intentionally.
✨ Choose your energy wisely.
You owe no explanation for protecting your well-being.
Protecting Your Privacy
Here’s what you need to do to keep yourself safe:
Turn Off Location Services – Apps like Instagram and Snapchat love to show where you are. Turn it off. You don’t need random people knowing your movements.
Avoid Posting in Real-Time – Share your amazing moments, but do it after you’ve left the location. Real-time updates make it easier for people to find you.
Keep Landmarks and Clues Out of Photos – House numbers, street names, and even the view from your window can give away your location. Be mindful of what’s in the background.
Shield Your Loved Ones – Don’t tag friends or family without their permission, and definitely don’t share where they live or work.
Limit Your Circle – You are within your rights to be picky about who you accept as friends or followers, especially on private accounts. Audit your follower list regularly.
Get Verified – If the thought of losing your account makes you break out in a cold sweat - GET VERIFIED. It’s not just a badge; it’s protection against fake accounts. It will also protect genuine fans as it will prevent scammers from impersonating you.
Understand Digital Permanence – Anything you post can be screenshotted, saved, and resurface—even if you delete it. Before you post, ask yourself: Would I be okay with this being quoted in an article? Would I say this in an interview?
“When our self-worth is heavily tied to the validation we received online, setting boundaries in those spaces can be difficult. Remember, it is not your fault that online spaces are both addictive and tricky to navigate – they are deliberately set up to be that way!
If ever someone is unpleasant, unhelpful or downright hostile online, remember that is their way of taking out their daily stresses and frustrations in a way that feels safe to them.
Is it acceptable? No.
We all need to remember that actors and creatives are human beings, even though they have a presence on our screens.
But even though it’s unacceptable behaviour, it is also not personal. The way these trolls and inappropriate ‘fans’ show up online is all about them and their fears / struggles / challenges and nothing to do with you, your value in the world or anything you have done or not done.”
Watch Out for Red Flags
Some people will go to great lengths to get close to you or find out more about you. Here are some common tactics:
Phishing and Hacking Attempts – Never click on suspicious links or give out your login details. Use two-factor authentication on everything. Enable an authenticator app if you can—it’s more secure than text codes. Be suspicious of emails asking for personal information or password resets you didn’t request.
Doxxing – This is when someone leaks your personal info online. It can include your address, phone number, or even your family members’ details. To protect against this, avoid posting your real birthdate and consider using a business address or P.O. Box for fan mail. Set up Google Alerts for your name so you can monitor if your information appears where it shouldn’t.
Stalking and Real-Life Following – People can track your movements if you’re constantly posting where you are. They might watch your live videos, geotagged posts, or even piece together your routines. Mix up your schedule if you sense someone is watching. Avoid live streaming from your home or frequent locations.
Scraping Social Media Profiles – Fans might analyze your photos for clues about your location. Some will even zoom in to see background details like house numbers or landmarks. Before posting, check the background for identifying details and consider blurring or cropping out anything sensitive.
Fake Accounts for Access – Some people create fake profiles to get into your private circles or gather information. Be selective with your followers. If you notice strange accounts interacting with you or your friends, be vigilant and don’t hesitate to block and report.
Public Records Access – Some people dig into public records like property deeds, voter registrations, or business registrations to find your address or personal details. Consider using a business name or a trust when registering properties. You can also opt out of online directories that publish your information without consent.
Digital Footprint Audit – Review your old social media posts. Remove personal information, old jokes, or anything that could be used against you. Use tools like TweetDelete or Facebook’s privacy settings to bulk-delete old content.
Remember: You control what you share. It’s okay to keep parts of your life completely offline. The internet doesn’t need to know everything.
Online Security
Top tips to keep control of your accounts and prevent them from being hacked. Yes, this is boring, but when you lose that account, you will wish you had done it.
Password Security – Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each account. Avoid reusing passwords.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Yes, it’s a bit of a pain, but it adds a critical layer of security. Use an authenticator app instead of SMS for better protection.
Look Out For Phishing Attempts - Be wary of suspicious emails, direct messages, or texts asking for login details, help accessing an account or money.
Update Your Software Regularly - Keep your devices, apps, and operating systems updated. Security patches are often included in updates.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Actions - Public Wi-Fi is vulnerable to hacking. Avoid logging into social media or conducting sensitive actions on public networks unless you are using a VPN.
Limit Third-Party Access Regularly review and remove any third-party apps or services that are connected to your social media accounts but are no longer in use. Only grant access to trusted apps with a good reputation.
Stay Safe, Stay Smart
Being part of a hit vertical drama is a huge achievement—you’ve earned this! With a few smart steps, you can protect your privacy, look after your mental health, and still have a blast connecting with your fans.
Check out these tips, stay sharp, and get back to what you love—sharing behind-the-scenes moments, chatting with your audience, and celebrating your journey without worrying about privacy.
Huge thanks to my best friend, and Life Coach Helen Calvert for her input on this article. If you would like to spend an hour online untangling your feelings about the online space, and how you can set healthy boundaries to maintain your wellbeing, please book in here for a 1 hour Headspace coaching session.
