But when it comes to solo travel, the impact of social media on our sense of safety and confidence is more complex than it may seem. Is it a lifeline? A source of low-level panic? Does it calm our nerves, or feed them with increased levels of anxiety and trepidation about the unknown? Like so many things in travel, the answer depends on how you use it.

Social media can be incredibly empowering for solo travellers. Facebook groups, online forums, and travel pages have created spaces where we can ask questions in real time, learn from others’ experiences, find support, reassurance, and solidarity, and share safety tips and practical advice from the ground. For many, these spaces are a digital ‘safety net’. They offer a kind of crowd-sourced wisdom that can make a us feel less alone and more prepared, especially when facing the unknown. There’s something undeniably comforting in knowing that you can post a question and receive answers from people who’ve just been through a similar situation. In the right group, you’ll find encouragement, humour, and practical hacks that make a big difference to our confidence.

But there’s another layer to this story. Alongside the support and shared wisdom, there can be anxiety, misinformation, and sensationalism. I have occasionally felt more nervous after scrolling through certain groups – bombarded by negative stories, worst-case scenarios, or emotionally charged debates. It’s easy to fall into what we might call the ‘fear spiral’ – one bad post leads to another, and suddenly, a destination you were excited about feels risky. A decision you felt good about now seems questionable. You begin to question your confidence levels, and our ‘fight or flight’ response mechanisms begin to prepare for a situation we may never have to confront. Add to this the sheer volume of voices – some informed and some very much not – and it becomes difficult to separate fact from fear. Not all Facebook groups are moderated well, and not every story you read is relevant to your journey.

Like any tool, the value of social media to us as solo travellers depends on how we use it. Used mindfully, it can boost confidence and keep us informed. Used passively, compulsively or obsessively, it can quietly chip away at our sense of freedom and trust in ourselves, our communities, and our destinations. Ultimately, social media should support your solo journey – it’s there to inform, not overwhelm, and to connect, not compare. Real confidence doesn’t come from the comments section. It comes from ours lived experiences – from taking that first step and proving to ourselves that we can do it.

In a world of digital noise, it’s easy to forget the most valuable source of safety insight is often right in front of you – the people who live where you’re standing. Locals know the rhythms, the risks, the safe shortcuts, and the places to avoid after dark, not just in theory or in the digital realm, but in their lived reality. Instead of relying only on threads written weeks or even months ago by strangers halfway around the world, try asking someone nearby. A hotel receptionist, café owner, market vendor, or fellow passenger on a bus can offer grounded, real-time advice that can be not only far more useful than a Facebook comment, but also far more accurate. Asking questions of locals places you firmly in your surroundings and reminds you that travel isn’t just about consuming information from commentators often thousands of miles away, it’s about real-time connection – where you are and who you’re with. In those small and often generous and meaningful exchanges, you’re not just gathering facts, you’re creating a sense of place, and often, a sense of reassurance.

Sure, check the groups, read the posts, but don’t forget to ask the locals how safe a particular area is – especially at night. You might be surprised at how much more settled you feel hearing the answer face-to-face. If you find yourself scrolling through another intense Facebook thread, pause and ask yourself “Is this helping me feel prepared, or just more nervous?” Choose wisely. Our confidence is one of our most valuable travel tools – and we need to nurture and guard it well.