Facebook Privacy

A lot of people use Facebook. Having a facebook account can result in people finding out more about you than you want them to know.  I figured that many people would benefit from a thorough overview on how to protect your privacy on Facebook. The following link is a step by step process for protecting your privacy on Facebook.

 10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know

Keeping children safe on the Internet is everyone's job.

• Parents need to stay in close touch with their kids as they explore the Internet.
• Teachers need to help students use the Internet appropriately and safely.
• Community groups, including libraries, after-school programs, and others should help educate the public about safe surfing.
• Kids and teens need to learn to take responsibility for their own behavior -- with guidance from their families and communities.
• It's not at all uncommon for kids to know more about the Internet and computers than their parents or teachers. If that's the case in your home or classroom, don't despair. You can use this as an opportunity to turn the tables by having your child teach you a thing or two about the Internet. Ask her where she likes to go on the Internet and what she thinks you might enjoy on the Net. Get your child to talk with you about what's good and not so good about his Internet experience. Also, no matter how Web-literate your kid is, you should still provide guidance. You can't automate good parenting.

Here is a great site that discusses the many aspects of keeping kids safe when using the internet

Kids Rules for Online Safety

1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ permission.*
 
2.   I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
 
3.   I will never agree to get together with someone I “meet” online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along.
 
4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.*
 
5.   I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the service provider.
 
6.   I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.
 
7.   I will not give out my Internet password to anyone (even my best friends) other than my parents.
 
8.   I will check with my parents before downloading or installing software or doing anything that could possibly hurt our computer or jeopardize my family’s privacy*
 
9.   I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.
 
10. I will help my parents understand how to have fun and learn things online and teach them things about the Internet, computers and other technology.

Parenting wired kids can be difficult, especially if you didn't grow up with the same technologies. This website can help:

http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents

How to Handle Facebook Privacy Settings for Your Kids

Here is another great article that discusses some ways to help protect students if they are using Facebook

How to Handle Facebook Privacy Settings for Your Kids