FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK

MINIMUM AGE: 13+
 
WHAT IS IT?
Facebook is a social media platform that allows people to connect, share, and communicate with friends, family, and communities and organisations. Users create profiles to post updates, photos, videos, and stories about their lives, follow pages, join groups, and chat via messaging. It also features a news feed that shows updates from friends and pages users follow. 

WHAT WE SAY:
Treat with caution.

Access to Inappropriate content -
Facebook is known for its vast array of user-generated content, which can include hate speech, graphic violence, sexual content, and misinformation. While Facebook has community standards aimed at regulating content, these can be challenging to enforce effectively due to the platform's size.

Direct Messaging - Facebook Messenger allows users to send private messages. However, this feature poses risks, such as cyberbullying, harassment, and grooming by predators. Although Facebook provides privacy settings, many users do not adjust them, potentially exposing their messages to unwanted access.

Public Sharing Risks - Facebook encourages users to share personal experiences, thoughts, and images. This can lead to oversharing, where individuals disclose more than they intend, which can have real-life consequences, such as identity theft or targeted harassment.

Influencer Culture - The rise of influencers on Facebook can promote unrealistic beauty standards and lifestyles, often leading to a culture of comparison among users. Exposure to influencers can contribute to body image issues, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, particularly in adolescents who may struggle with their self-image.

Age Ratings and User Safety - Facebook's age requirement of 13 is aimed at protecting younger users; however, the effectiveness of this policy is limited by users’ ability to create accounts without verification. Facebook does not have robust parental control options like some other platforms, making it difficult for parents to monitor their children’s interactions and content exposure.

SAFETY TIPS TO CONSIDER:

• Always use privacy settings, make sure children and young people understand what constitutes as personal information that they should not share online. 
• Seeing inappropriate or upsetting posts or pages that are shared - ask children and young people to tell you if anything goes wrong. But also encourage open conversations around their internet use generally. This helps adults to stay informed and in control, keeping your child safe. 
• Explain the risks associated with streaming a live video to an unknown audience - personal information could be shared.
• ​Live videos can receive responses which can mean that inappropriate content can be sent - ask children and young people to tell you if anything goes wrong​. Also make sure they use their device in a room whereby adults at home are present.
• Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 

FURTHER SUPPORT:

For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. 

If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. 

If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. 

For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. 

Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips.

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