Tips for kids
How can I be safer on Facebook?
First, don't give out your password to anyone, not even your significant other or best friend. Be sure to customize your privacy settings on the Privacy page if you are uncomfortable being found in searches or having your profile viewed by people from your school, workplace or regional network. Remember, unless you're prepared to attach something in your profile to a resume or scholarship application, don't post it.
I'm receiving unwanted messages. What should I do?
There are a few things you can do:
- You can anonymously report messages by clicking on the "Report Message" link under the the name and picture of the sender when viewing a message. Facebook will review your complaint and will act to ensure all users comply with the Terms of Use so that Facebook remains a trusted environment where people can interact safely.
- You can easily block any user on Facebook from seeing or contacting you by entering their name in the Block People section on the Privacy page.
- You can limit the people who can find you in searches, which in turn limits who can message you. You can also prevent people from messaging you from your search listing. Both options are available on the Search Privacy page.
What do I do if someone has posted a photo of me that I don't like?
Facebook will only remove photos that violate their Terms of Use (e.g., pornography or copyrighted images). However, there are some things you can do if you don't like a photo of you on the site:
To remove your name from a particular photo, simply view the photo and click the "Remove Tag" link next to your name. It will no longer be linked to your profile.
Remember that you can only be tagged in photos by your friends. If you are having problems with someone constantly tagging you in embarrassing photos, just remove them as a friend from the Friends page.
If you don't want the photo to be shown at all, please talk to the person who posted it. They should be respectful enough to remove unwanted photos. Unfortunately, Facebook cannot make users remove photos that do not violate our Terms of Use.
Tips for parents
How can I gain access to my child's account?
Facebook is generally forbidden by federal and many state laws to give unauthorized access to someone who is not an account holder. If you are a parent or school official, they encourage you to use software tools on your own computers to assist in overseeing your child's Internet access. Please do a search for computer-based Internet control technology on your preferred search engine to discover options that you may wish to pursue.
If your child is under 13 and you believe they have created a Facebook account, however, the Childrens' Online Privacy Protection Act gives you the right to access personal information they have provided before Facebook follows its policy of promptly deleting such data. You may access and direct the deletion of such data by having them sign into the account and then deactivating the account, or by making a request by email to Facebook. Please send requests to privacy@facebook.com with the subject line "COPPA Data Request".
What kind of privacy controls do you have?
Facebook is based on networks that correspond to high schools, colleges, workplaces and geographic regions. Each user's profile can be seen only by those in the same network or by people in other networks who have been mutually confirmed as friends. Every Facebook user has the ability to customize his or her privacy settings. This allows users to limit who can view their profile (e.g., everyone in their networks, some people in their networks, or only their friends) and to choose who can see specific parts of their profile (e.g., their contact information, their personal favorites, their work history, etc.).
How should I help my child use this site wisely?
The best thing to do is to talk to your children and teach them internet safety. Remind them to:
- Never share their password with anyone
- Understand their privacy settings
- Report people that violate Facebook Terms of Use
- Block anyone that might be sending unwanted content