The document provides guidelines for safe and private use of Facebook. It explains that Facebook's default privacy settings expose personal information to strangers, so users should carefully customize their settings. Key recommendations include only friending people you know in real life, limiting what profile information is visible to searches, avoiding posting photos without permission, and remembering that deleting online doesn't make information disappear completely. Additional resources are provided to help users learn more about social media privacy and safety.

1. Guidelines for Facebook Use
A core function of Facebook is the “My Friends” tool which allows individuals to friend one another,
allowing them to see each other’s individual profile. Facebook also allows groups to form around
common topics. These groups can be public or private (members-only).
The use of Facebook (and other Social Networking tools) is growing among all demographics
throughout the Wisconsin and the US. Privacy settings should be guarded. The default privacy
settings for Facebook leave personal information wide open to be seen by unintended strangers. By
carefully setting privacy settings, one can avoid this pitfall.
Privacy Settings tips for Personal Profile on Facebook
When you create a Facebook profile/account, the default settings are very open. To set
tighter restrictions on who can see what on your profile click on “Privacy” in the upper
right corner. Here are some recommended privacy settings:
1. Set most of the settings to “only my friends” or “only me.” Be careful who you accept
as “friends.” You should already know the person and have met them before
accepting them as friends. Choose your friends wisely.
2. For search, allow it to search for you, but uncheck the option that people who
search can see “my friends” list. Uncheck the option that allows public to search
engines to find you in Facebook.
3. Keep your information to yourself. Don’t post your (or anyone else’s) full name,
address, phone number or any financial information. Even if you only allow your
friends to see your page, some of the main information in your profile will still show
up if a search is conducted on Facebook.
4. Post information you are comfortable with others seeing and knowing about you.
Once you post information online, you can’t take it back. Even if you delete the
information on the site, older versions exist on other computers and on the site
owner’s server. Be mindful that businesses, customers, and others are using
Facebook to find information about you too.
Developed by Heidi Dusek, 4-H Youth & Family Coordinator
Outagamie County UW-Cooperative Extension
Adapted from ©2008 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension

2. 5. Posting and “Tagging” photos opens up some privacy concerns. (Tagging a photo is
when you click on the image and type in the name of the person/ “Friend” in the
photo). When you tag someone in a photo (even in a private group) the photo is
accessible through that person’s profile. Don’t post or tag photos that you don’t
want shared publicly. A good rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t want your parents or
your teachers to see the picture, it does not belong on Facebook!
6. Facebook profiles are “deactivated” when you leave Facebook. What that means is
that the information and files are still stored on Facebook’s server unless you
request in writing to delete your account permanently.
7. Trust your gut. If you feel threatened or uncomfortable because of something
online, tell an adult you trust, report to police and the social networking site. You
could end up preventing someone else from getting hurt!
8. Don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t share in person. Social networking is
just a tool; it should not replace face-to-face conversations.
Additional Resources for Facebook and Social Networking
1. Video Tutorial on how to create a Facebook Fan page (developed by Heidi Dusek, Outagamie
County UW-Cooperative Extension)
http://www.screencast.com/users/hdusek/folders/Default/media/95b305c8-ac30-4626-9954-
40c10d08c579
2. A Beginners Guide to Facebook
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/internet/page7430.cfm
3. Parenting Pages: Teens & Technology (Cornell University Cooperative Extension)
http://parenting.cit.cornell.edu/documents/Teens%20and%20Technology%20Updated.pdf
4. Netsmartz (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) www.netsmartz.org
*tons of free resources, videos, and presentations on a variety of technology related items!
5. PBS Frontline: Growing up Online
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/
Developed by Heidi Dusek, 4-H Youth & Family Coordinator
Outagamie County UW-Cooperative Extension
Adapted from ©2008 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Doing business as the Division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension