Almost anything you want to research, plan, organize, or play has an app these days. Apps are mostly created for convenience and to make your life "simpler." That being said, we utilize these things so often that they have become the norm. Whatever happened to the importance of security and protecting yourself against strangers lurking on your profile? Things have changed a lot from the basic, "AOL chat rooms" your parents warned you about as a child. Although we are much older now, are we really that much wiser?

Nobody willingly gives out their personal information to a complete stranger. But, unless your social media accounts are protected, you might as well be. A public account can reveal as much information as your current location, your birthday, the names of your family members, best friends, and pets. It can tell where you attend school, where you have worked, what your interests are, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't believe me?

Check out the video, below. A man named Jack Vale did a social media experiment to see how easy it would really be to get a complete stranger's personal information. The results may just shock you.

Jack Vale's Social media experiment:

It would be ridiculous NOT to protect your personal accounts. Think of it this way: this can be very beneficial when potential employers or bosses, snooping parents, and creepin' exes decide to lurk on your profile. Save yourself the benefit of the doubt and know that only your approved "friends and followers" have permission to do so.

In order to ensure your safety on social media, I've provided a few links to help you get started! The most common social networking apps I utilize are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Here's how to ensure your social media is private:

Instagram: http://help.instagram.com/116024195217477/

Twitter:https://support.twitter.com/articles/20169886-prot...

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/help/325807937506242/ORhttp://www.pcworld.com/article/249019/facebook_tim...

Cover photo provided by http://iphone5.on-apps.com/