Be mindful of what apps you are using that have credit card information on file. Be aware of digital fraud with online requests, emails, phone calls or texts, asking for money, money transfers or gift cards. You should not share your banking or credit card information with anyone. When using Zelle, Venmo, or other payment platforms, ensure that the account you’re sending money to is legitimate, verify the recipient’s identity, and be cautious about what information you share if your payment activity is set to public.

Please report suspicious requests for money or gift cards to Public Safety & Service.

It is important to treat others with respect online; you should not post something that you would not be willing to say to someone in person. Messages via text or social media can be misinterpreted, as tone may be harder to understand in writing versus when spoken aloud. Think about how your message may be received by others. Some conversations, particularly those centering conflict or a difference of perspective, are best had in person.

Your Resident Advisor, Residential Fellow, and Area Coordinator are all resources that can help you have a facilitated/mediated conversation.

There will be times when you may need to be fully present and turn off your devices, whether it’s during class, studying for exams, or just taking a break. When you decide to take a digital break, let your support network know how long you’ll be offline and how they can reach you if needed. It’s also important to disconnect regularly and engage with the Mount Holyoke community. Spend time in your residence hall's common rooms, share a meal with someone new in the Dining Commons, attend an event, or simply challenge yourself to stay off your phone while walking around campus.

For more activities and events, check out Word Out and Dean’s Corner.

Please examine the source of online information to determine credibility of the source. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Malicious websites and email addresses often look identical to a legitimate site with just a slight variation in spelling or domain.

If you ever have a concern about an email, or link’s legitimacy contact the LITS Technology Help Desk.

Use privacy settings on your electronics, apps, and accounts, and only share your information with people you know personally. Regularly review your settings to see if any changes need to be made to protect your safety.

You have a responsibility to be aware of your digital actions and how they may impact your or another person’s safety. Be open to hearing and recognizing multiple viewpoints, and engaging with others online with respect and empathy.

Report any behavior that is not aligned with our Student Handbook using the Incident Reporting Form.

Review the privacy settings on your social media accounts to ensure you’re sharing information with trusted connections only. Always verify the identity of the person you're interacting with—catfishing is a real threat. Be on the lookout for red flags, like someone who is reluctant to share basic details about themselves or whose stories don’t add up. A limited social media presence or a profile that looks too perfect can also be warning signs. If they’re hesitant to meet in person or avoid video calls, it’s important to question their intentions.

When you do decide to meet, choose a public place and make sure someone knows where you’re going and who you’re meeting. And always be cautious of oversharing or engaging in risky behavior online, such as sharing intimate photos, as this could lead to sextortion. Protect yourself by staying informed and trusting your instincts. This information is based on guidelines from the University of Pittsburgh.

It is important to remember to log out of public devices. Use strong passwords that follow MHC’s password complexity requirements and do not share passwords with others.

For more tips and resources, LITS has more tips and resources on its security and privacy webpage.

Remember that what you post today might resurface in the future, often when you least expect it. Future employers and graduate schools may review your social media presence, and a post that seems like a joke might not be perceived the same way by someone else or years later. Always consider the potential long-term impact of your online content.

If an individual or organization has doxed you and included false or misleading statements about you on their website, social media accounts, or elsewhere, and these statements are causing you harm, consider sending a written request to the individual or organization to remove or correct the statements.

In such a communication it is important that you: (1) identify yourself, (2) identify the statements that are false or misleading, (3) explain why the statements are false or misleading, and (4) describe how the statements are harming you. You should consider in each situation when it would be helpful or harmful to interact with that person or account directly or when reporting to the platform makes most sense.

If a user account has targeted/doxed you on social media, you may submit a takedown request to the platform, in accordance with the platform’s rules and requirements.

Consider taking steps to preserve evidence in a way that does not force you to reexamine upsetting content. Save all emails, voicemails, or text messages that you receive.Take screenshots or photos of comments on social media; such comments can be deleted, so screenshots are often useful to help document them.

Take screenshots and immediately report the doxing to Public Safety & Service to report doxing incidents whether they originate from inside or outside of the campus community. Once a report is received, it will be managed by the appropriate College personnel (such as Community Standards, Human Resources, Communications Office, IT, or Public Safety & Service personnel), who will reach out to you to coordinate next steps. Doxing involving sexual misconduct and/or discriminatory harassment will be referred to the Assistant Vice President of Compliance. You may also use the incident reporting form.

Please be aware that when doxing is done by individuals or organizations outside the College community, the College’s options to address the conduct are limited—but we are committed to supporting the College community individually and collectively as best we can within those limited options.

• Consider taking steps to preserve evidence in a way that does not force you to reexamine upsetting content. Save all emails, voicemails, or text messages that you receive.Take screenshots or photos of comments on social media; such comments can be deleted, so screenshots are often useful to help document them.
• Search for yourself online to see what personal information is in search results and on websites. When possible, request corrections or deletions.
• Close unused accounts and ask for your information to be deleted.
• Avoid using your full name, address, place of work/school, contact information, and specific locations in your profile and posts.
• Make your posts visible only to people you know.
• Avoid sharing sensitive personal information online.
• Block or mute accounts as needed.
• Consider temporarily deactivating your social media profiles or keep your profiles, usernames, and handles private.
  • If your social media account must be public (such as a student organization), consider temporarily limiting or turning off comments.

If you or those close to you are in imminent physical danger or there has been a direct threat of physical violence, you should immediately call the Mount Holyoke College Public Safety at 413-538-2304.

If you are unsure who to call or where to start, the Mount Holyoke College Public Safety at 413-538-2304 can assist or direct you to the appropriate on-campus resource.

If you are experiencing emotional distress contact

• Students: 24/7 Care Line at 413-538-2037 or Professional Staff on Call via Mount Holyoke College Public Safety at 413-538-2304
• Employees: EAP