Facebook Safety

To protect children on Facebook, parents should review and adjust their child's privacy settings, limit social media time, and have open conversations about online safety and appropriate behavior. 

Here's a more detailed guide:

1. Review and Adjust Privacy Settings:

• Access Privacy Settings: Log into your child's Facebook account and navigate to "Settings & Privacy" then "Settings". 

• Privacy Checkup: Use the "Privacy Checkup" tool to review and adjust various settings, including who can see their posts, who can find them, and data settings. 

• Limit Who Can See Posts: Ensure that posts are visible only to friends, or a more restricted audience, rather than public. 

• Control Who Can Find Them: Review settings that control how people can find your child on Facebook, such as through search or email/phone number. 

• Review Data Settings: Understand and adjust settings related to data usage, advertising preferences, and other data-related options. 

• Turn off Location Settings: Consider turning off location settings to prevent unwanted tracking. 

• Set Screen Time: Use screen time settings to help teens set limits and learn self-control. 

2. Limit Social Media Time:

• Establish Boundaries:
  Set clear rules and expectations regarding social media usage, including time limits and appropriate content.

• Use Screen Time Features:
  Utilize screen time features on devices or platforms to help teens manage their time on social media.

• Encourage Other Activities:
  Encourage children to engage in a variety of activities, both online and offline, to maintain a healthy balance. 

3. Have Open Conversations:

• Discuss Online Safety: Talk with your children about online safety, including cyberbullying, online predators, and sharing personal information. 

• Encourage Critical Thinking: Help them develop critical thinking skills to evaluate online content and interactions. 

• Be a Role Model: Model responsible social media usage yourself. 

• Stay Informed: Stay updated on the latest online threats and apps that help or harm. 

• Monitor Online Activity: Regularly review your child's Facebook activity and the apps connected to their account. 

• Encourage them to report suspicious activity: Remind them to report any suspicious activity or content they encounter. 

• Consider using parental control apps: Some apps can help you monitor and manage your child's online activity. 

4. Practical Tips:

• Log out of Facebook accounts on shared devices: to prevent unauthorized access. 

• Encourage your child to use a strong, unique password: and avoid reusing passwords across platforms. 

• Review the list of apps connected to your child's Facebook account: and remove any that seem suspicious or unnecessary. 

• Don't post your child's full name on your own Facebook page . 

• If you believe a child under the age of 13 is using Facebook, you can report the underage profile . 

• Report incidents to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or www.cybertipline.com