I Shall Not Be Left Behind… Even Cyber Ninjas Feel the Pressure

Today is Safer Internet Day — a reminder that the internet shapes how we live, work, connect… and sometimes how quickly we jump onto the next big thing.

And the last few days? Ayayaya...

They’ve seen everyone jumping onto the trend.

Ninja avatars. Cartoon versions. Stylized caricatures.

Your timeline, my timeline — full.

And honestly? I get it. Nobody wants to be the last one still using their regular profile photo 😅

Yes — many of us have jumped onto the trend.

But here’s a question worth sitting with:

With everything these tools now know about us — our faces, our prompts, our style, our tone — could they rebuild a version of you? Otyo!?

Now, let’s be honest (and a little playful).

For some people, it took a lot of prompting just to get the face right.

“Make the nose smaller.”

“Fix the eyes.”

“That’s not my body.”

“Why do I suddenly look like I go to the gym every day?” 😄

And for others… well… we might as well say ChatGPT failed and started hallucinating.

The caricature came out looking like a distant cousin you’ve never met — same vibe, completely different human.

Funny, yes.

But also telling.

These tools are constantly learning from what we give them — correcting, refining, adjusting based on our inputs.

And that’s where the quiet part comes in…

When you upload a photo, you’re not just sharing a picture.

You’re sharing your face — and a face online is data.

Biometric data.

Most of these platforms aren’t villains plotting in dark rooms.

But once your image is uploaded, you no longer fully control:

• how long it’s stored

• how it’s reused

• who it’s shared with

• or how it might be used in the future

And when faces meet context — your job, your community, your brand, your children, your marital status — that’s where impersonation and targeted scams quietly find their way in.

This isn’t a don’t do it post.

It’s a do it wisely reminder.

Choose platforms carefully.

Avoid uploading too many clear photos.

Keep children’s faces out of these tools.

And beyond photos, it’s worth thinking twice about the other details we casually upload. Things like children’s faces or names, consistent use of full names across platforms, job titles and workplaces, marital status and family structure, voice notes or videos that capture how we speak, location clues in the background of photos, ID-style images, screenshots with hidden information, or even habits around how we log in and secure our accounts. On their own, many of these feel harmless. But when combined, they can quietly help rebuild a surprisingly accurate profile of who you are, how you live, and how you move through the digital world.

Because cybersecurity isn’t just for offices and servers.

It lives in our homes, our markets, our phones, and our everyday lives.

Yes, even cyber ninjas read the terms & conditions. 🥷🏽📜

And since today is Safer Internet Day — and many of us have already taken part in the trend — maybe the next question to ask ourselves is:

What can I still clean up? What can I delete? What permissions can I roll back? And what will I think twice about uploading next time?

Stay curious. Stay cautious. Stay safe.

If you’ve made it this far, I’m going to assume we’re friends now, right? And what do friends do? They like, they comment, and they definitely stay in touch!

So, why not take this friendship to the next level? Sign up for my weekly newsletter—it’s packed with good reads, tips, and zero spam (I promise, your inbox won’t hate me). Just a little nugget of knowledge and fun, delivered to you with love.

I swear I won’t overload your inbox with endless emails or spammy sales pitches. Just good content, great stories, and a few cyber-safety tips sprinkled in for good measure. Plus, I’m always down for a conversation in the comments, so don’t be shy—leave a thought, a question, or just a friendly hello!

Your inbox deserves something fresh, right? 😉

Until next time, I remain yours stealthily, TheCyberMamushka 🥷

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