Is Facebook safe? In today’s world of social media, safety of the user depends as much on the user as on the site.
Facebook use is based on real names and identities and very much related to real life. Therefore, children need their parents’ help here just as they need their help in the real world. Parents should help their kids to understand that:
Facebook use is based on real names and identities and very much related to real life. Therefore, children need their parents’ help here just as they need their help in the real world. Parents should help their kids to understand that:
- They need to be careful of what they say, share, and upload.
- They should present themselves in a positive light online.
- They should stay on good terms with others in their online as well as offline communities.
- Posting information that could help strangers determine their location; or could be used to manipulate or could jeopardize reputations and future prospects.
- Harassment or online bullying.
- Losing a sense of balance by spending too much time online,
- Probable exposure to inappropriate content.
- Probability of inappropriate contact with adults.
- Probable damage to reputation because of own behavior or that of others (angry posts, compromising photos or videos, etc).
Some of the risks associated with social networking include:
Protection tips
1. One of the simplest ways to monitor your kid’s Facebook activities is to “friend” them and get them to friend you. If you and your kids do become Facebook friends, don’t make public comments on their pages. You can always send each other messages, which are private.
2. You should make your kids understand that whatever they post can affect their relationships with people.
3. Even if your kid’s settings are set to ‘Friends Only’, a friend may try to play a prank by forwarding information meant only for friends. So, users must be careful about what they post online.
4. Aggressive online behavior increases the aggressor’s risk. For instance, bullying behavior can provoke retaliation. Therefore, being kind online can be a protective measure.
5. Always think about the impact and audience when you post on someone’s wall, “Like” or comment on someone’s update or support a cause. How will it reflect on you? Send a private message or use Facebook chat when communicating with a single friend.
6. Limit who sees your kid’s profile by using the Privacy Settings page. It is recommended that it be made available to Friends Only.
7. Remember that if your kid turns on maximum privacy settings, it could also block you from accessing information. Therefore, try to have regular discussions with your kid about what they are posting.
8. For maximum privacy, safety and security, it is recommended that teens start by setting their privacy to Friends Only.
9. It is not recommended that anyone enter their home address. Teens should not enter their phone numbers, even though – by default – the information is available to Friends Only.
10. Do not enter your home address. Teens should not enter phone numbers, even though, by default, it is available to Friends Only. n
Excerpted from: A Parent’s Guide to Facebook By Anne Collier and Larry Magid, Co-Directors, ConnectSafely.org
1. One of the simplest ways to monitor your kid’s Facebook activities is to “friend” them and get them to friend you. If you and your kids do become Facebook friends, don’t make public comments on their pages. You can always send each other messages, which are private.
2. You should make your kids understand that whatever they post can affect their relationships with people.
3. Even if your kid’s settings are set to ‘Friends Only’, a friend may try to play a prank by forwarding information meant only for friends. So, users must be careful about what they post online.
4. Aggressive online behavior increases the aggressor’s risk. For instance, bullying behavior can provoke retaliation. Therefore, being kind online can be a protective measure.
5. Always think about the impact and audience when you post on someone’s wall, “Like” or comment on someone’s update or support a cause. How will it reflect on you? Send a private message or use Facebook chat when communicating with a single friend.
6. Limit who sees your kid’s profile by using the Privacy Settings page. It is recommended that it be made available to Friends Only.
7. Remember that if your kid turns on maximum privacy settings, it could also block you from accessing information. Therefore, try to have regular discussions with your kid about what they are posting.
8. For maximum privacy, safety and security, it is recommended that teens start by setting their privacy to Friends Only.
9. It is not recommended that anyone enter their home address. Teens should not enter their phone numbers, even though – by default – the information is available to Friends Only.
10. Do not enter your home address. Teens should not enter phone numbers, even though, by default, it is available to Friends Only. n
Excerpted from: A Parent’s Guide to Facebook By Anne Collier and Larry Magid, Co-Directors, ConnectSafely.org