Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. Launched in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and others at Harvard University, it is now owned by Meta Platforms, Inc.. Through various digital interactions, Facebook allows users to connect with friends, family, colleagues, and organizations. And while it’s considered “old school,” Facebook will enable users to create accounts starting from age 13, attracting younger audiences online.
So what are the risks of allowing children on Facebook, and how do we set up their privacy and security settings to keep them safe? Here’s a guide on how to do just that! Of course, these are valuable tips for adults, too.
Why do people use Facebook?
When Facebook was created, it was a way to connect with friends, family, and old acquaintances online. In other words, It was for people who already knew each other in real life. However, the platform has evolved, adding new ways to bring people together and make new connections based on shared interests.
Facebook is known for its content-sharing features, where people share updates on their private lives, including milestones, photos, and videos. The platform is also strong when it comes to sharing opinions and participating in discussions. Users can join groups to learn, participate in hobbies, participate in political causes, attend events, or engage in entertainment. Facebook also offers a marketplace for selling and buying and tools for fundraising and donations. No wonder its audience is wide and varied.
Who is on Facebook?
According to Social Shepherd, at the end of 2023, Facebook had 3.065 billion monthly active users, making it the most prominent app worldwide.
Half of the United States (193.5 million people) is estimated to have a Facebook account. However, India has the most users, with 378.05 million.
The Facebook population primarily comprises men aged 25 to 34 and men aged 18 to 24. A good chunk of users fall into the over-65 age group.
What are Facebook's policies for user safety?
Facebook has two central policies for user online safety:
- Minimum Age Requirement: Facebook’s minimum user age is 13. This policy complies with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States and similar laws worldwide. It simply means that users younger than 13 cannot create accounts. If underage accounts are detected, Facebook may delete them. Even so, a 2017 article by ABC News says that, at the time, there were 7.5 million users under 13.
- Real Name Policy: Facebook instructs users to register using real names. Creating fake profiles or accounts is against Facebook’s terms of service, even if, most recently, Facebook has allowed the creation of aliases under certain conditions. Violations of this policy might trigger account suspension, requests for identity verification (e.g., government-issued ID), or permanent account removal.
A controversial identity policy
Facebook’s Real Name policy has no clear-cut rules. When you click the downward arrow on the profile picture, you will see a list of profiles and pages associated with your main profile. These are identities you can create from your main profiles). Why is that?
Facebook’s initial policy, created in 2014, required users to use their real names on their profiles. This policy was criticized for affecting marginalized communities, such as drag queens and individuals with non-traditional names. In response to these concerns, Facebook eventually changed its policy. In 2015, Facebook introduced a new tool allowing users to report exceptional circumstances, such as abuse, stalking, or bullying, that may require them to use an alias. This change aimed to provide more flexibility and protection for users who need anonymity.
Under the current policy, Facebook still encourages users to use their real names. However, it allows for the use of stage names or pseudonyms in certain circumstances, such as:
- For public figures or celebrities who want to maintain a professional or artistic persona.
- For individuals who need to protect their identity due to safety concerns, such as stalking or harassment.
- For those who want to separate their personal and professional online presence.
As a result, creating a fake name or profile is technically against Facebook’s policy, and using a pseudonym may still result in profile suspension or deletion if detected. In reality, as the burden of reporting abuse is on the user, Facebook proliferated with aliases and fake profiles.
What safety measures does Facebook offer for kids?
Facebook doesn’t have integrated parental controls. Safety measures must be achieved with the two tools offered by the platform:
- Privacy Controls: these tools restrict who can see posts, send friend requests, and view profile information.
- Content Filtering: These options allow to block or report inappropriate content, users, or comments.
These features can be accessed from your profile picture at the top right of the Facebook screen under Settings & Privacy. On November 14, 2024, Facebook introduced a new Privacy Policy and a dedicated Privacy Center.
The Privacy Center is easier to navigate and includes a tab for Teen Privacy settings. This tab redirects to an article with an overview of the Privacy updates for teens. The main takeaway from this page is that all users under 18 will have additional privacy settings enabled by default on Facebook and Instagram.
Since August 9, 2024, Facebook has also restricted unwanted communications from users over 18, meaning starting private chats with teens they are not connected to.
What are we protecting our kids from on Facebook?
The dangers kids face on Facebook are common to many other social media (for a complete overview, see also: Opportunities and risks of social media). However, on Facebook specifically, one of the most widespread problems is “sextortion” (the spread of teens’ intimate images online for exploitation purposes). The issue has been ongoing for several years on Facebook, so much so that most police agencies have warnings and dedicated units to help Facebook users investigate (for example, the Canadian RCMP). However, you should also watch out for the following connected issues:
- Cyberbullying
- Online predators (see also: How to teach children and teenagers to recognize online predators)
- Exposure to inappropriate content
- Privacy and oversharing
- Scams and phishing (see also: What is social engineering and why we fall for it)
- Addiction and mental health issues
- Misinformation and radicalization
Online gaming and the Metaverse
In the video below, you will better understand how these (and other) issues are related to online platforms like Facebook, where kids engage in seemingly harmless online gaming. Please note that this video is not suitable for younger audiences.
Other privacy issues
As a final note, remember that the moment you sign up with a Facebook account, all you do with the account is collected by Meta. Carefully review their privacy policy: they clearly state what information they collect and share with partners.
Identity, scams, and issues to be aware of on Facebook
Facebook’s security controls are generally loose, and it’s up to the user to report suspicious activities. This leaves not only children but other vulnerable adults as the primary target of scams and illicit schemes. The video below provides some useful insights on this.
A step-by-step guide on how to protect a Facebook account
If you need help figuring out where to start, here’s a step-by-step guide on setting up the best possible security for your kids (and yourself) on Facebook.
STEP 1. ACCOUNT SETUP AND SECURITY SETTINGS
The account settings can be found in the Accounts Center.
- When you sign up, use a dedicated email address or an alias: email reuse is the primary cause of hacking. If the email you use for registering to a social media account is used for only that account or doesn’t exist, that’s the best protection for your account. Many email providers offer email aliases or catchall addresses.
- Use a strong password: ensure the account password is long, unique, and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters (i.e., @ # & $). Avoid using easily guessed passwords like names (of friends, family, pets, or anything that can be deducted by looking at the profile), birthdays, or common words. For more tips on how to set up a secure password, see also: Password security explained by a hacker).
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Go to Accounts Center > Passwords and Security > Logins & Recovery > Two-factor authentication. Choose an authentication method such as SMS, a mobile authenticator app, or a physical security key.
- Monitor login locations: regularly check Accounts Center > Passwords and Security > Security Checks > Where you’re logged in to spot unknown devices or locations. If you find any devices or locations you don’t recognize, log them out immediately.
STEP 2. PRIVACY SETTINGS
The privacy settings can be found in the Privacy Center.
- Define who can see their profiles and posts:
- Go to Privacy Center > Privacy Checkup > Who can see what you share to set the default audience for posts to Friends or Only Me for sensitive content.
- Go to Privacy Center >Common Privacy Settings > Review tags before they appear on your profile and enable them for Facebook and Instagram.
- Go to Privacy Center >Common Privacy Settings > Make your account private for Instagram.
- Define who can find them:
- Go to Privacy Center > Privacy Checkup > How people can find you on Facebook and choose None, Friends, or Friends of Friends in Select Audience, Friend Requests, Phone Numbers and Emails instead of Everyone.
- Disable the option to be found via search engines.
STEP 3. CONTENT AND ACTIVITY CONTROL
- Regularly review your kids’ activity log and post visibility settings.
- Disable location sharing on their devices for posts and check-ins.
STEP 4. USE SAFETY FEATURES WHEN NEEDED
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking to block suspicious or inappropriate users.
- Enable alerts for unrecognized logins.
STEP 5. EDUCATE ON SAFE PRACTICES
- Avoid oversharing on Facebook. Discuss the risks of sharing personal details like home addresses, school names, or live locations with your kids.
- Teach your kids to recognize phishing and scam messages, fake friend requests, and suspicious links.
- Show them how to report content or users that violate Facebook’s Community standards.
- Encourage them to talk about their online experiences and any concerns.
Additional tools you can use
Whether your kids should be on Facebook or not is entirely your decision. Every online community brings opportunities and risks. Educating yourself on the risks and best practices to stay safe online is the best way to make this choice.
