A direct message (DM) is a private message sent from one user to another user, or to a small chosen group, inside a social media platform or app. Unlike a public post or comment, only the participants can see it.
Why it matters
DMs are used for personal chat, customer support, creator outreach and business deals. They are also a common channel for scams, because a message from a stranger or a hijacked friend's account feels personal. Privacy depends on the platform: some DMs are end-to-end encrypted, while many are readable by the service and may be accessed for safety or legal reasons, so a private message is not the same as a secret one.
Example
A customer sends a shop's account a DM asking about an order. The shop replies from the same thread. Later, a message arrives that says "I found your photo in a video, click here", which is a typical phishing DM and should be reported, not opened.
Common mistakes
- Clicking links in unexpected DMs, even from friends, without confirming that the account was not compromised.
- Sharing passwords, one-time codes or payment details in a DM.
- Assuming every DM is end-to-end encrypted.
Related
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