How to Choose and Remember a Password for Social Media: A Guide for 55+ – and how to stay safe online
Second article in the YEI series – Wise and Wired: Staying Safe on Social Media
As we stay connected with friends, family, and hobbies online, having strong passwords is more important than ever — especially on social media. Here’s how you can choose a secure password and actually remember it without stress.
When you use Facebook or any other online account, you need a password to keep your account safe. Think of your password like the key to your front door — it must be private and strong so that no one else can get in.
Many people worry that passwords are difficult to create or hard to remember. But it doesn’t have to be. You can make a strong password that’s easy for you to remember by following a few simple steps.
Why is a password important?
Your password keeps your personal information safe. If your password is easy to guess, someone could pretend to be you, send messages from your account, or try to steal your information. That’s why it’s important to choose a good password and keep it in a safe place.
Step-by-step: How to choose a strong password
You don’t need anything fancy or complicated. Just use something that’s easy for you, but difficult for someone else to guess.
Step 1: Choose three words that mean something to you
Think of something you’ll always remember. For example:
dog, roses, Durban
Step 2: Add a number and a special character
Now add a number (like a birth year) and a symbol (like a full stop or exclamation mark). For example:
dogRosesDurban1962!
This is now a strong password.
Step 3: Use different passwords for different accounts
Try not to use the same password for everything. If someone guesses one, they could get into all your accounts.
Make small changes for each account. For example:
dogRosesDurban1962!FB (for Facebook)
dogRosesDurban1962!GM (for Gmail)
How to remember your passwords
There are safe ways to remember your passwords, even if you’re not comfortable with technology.
Option 1: Write them down in a notebook
This is a very good method for seniors. Choose one notebook just for your passwords and keep it in a safe place at home, like in a drawer or with your important papers.
Write the name of the account (like Facebook), your username (usually your email), and the password next to it.
Option 2: Ask someone you trust
If you have a son, daughter, or friend who helps you with technology, you can ask them to help you keep a list. Make sure it’s someone you trust completely.
Option 3: Use a password book
You can buy a small book made specially for writing down passwords. These are often sold at stationery shops or online. It’s a neat way to keep everything in one place.
Extra Tips
- Never share your password with strangers.
- If someone messages you asking for your password, don’t give it to them — even if they say they are from Facebook.
- Try not to use your name or your exact birthday in your password — that makes it easier to guess.
A Final Word
You don’t have to be a computer expert to stay safe online. Choosing and remembering a password can be simple, especially if you take your time and keep a written copy somewhere safe.
It’s never too late to learn something new — and protecting yourself online is one of the best things you can do.
If you ever feel unsure, ask someone you trust for help. You’ve Earned It is here to guide you every step of the way.
Article by The YEI Team
