10 tips to keep teens Facebook profiles safe

Teenagers are the most vulnerable group on Facebook. Our tips will help keep your teen's profile private and secure.

 "Connect with friends and the world around you on Facebook" says the slogan of the social giant. Millions of Facebook users of different ages, nationalities, and genders share their daily life with family members and friends, and interact with brands. Among them there is a large group of teenagers who can be especially vulnerable target for cyber criminals. In this article I will help you make sure that Facebook is a safe place.

Follow our ten tips to make your Facebook safer!

Facebook allows teenagers from the age of 13 to set up their own accounts. If you are about to join the social network, don’t hesitate to ask an adult person you trust for help, or simply follow the basic safety and privacy rules described below:

1. Create a safe password for your account. It must contain a minimum of 8 characters, including small and large ones and special characters. Never share your password with anyone. Always log out when you aren’t using the service anymore. 

2. Set up your privacy accordingly. Make sure that your profile and posts ARE NOT public. 

3. Don’t share too much private information about yourself, such as your address or phone number

4. Never accept friend requests from people you don't actually know. If you receive a duplicated invitation from a person you are already connected with don’t accept it. It’s a scam.

5. Keep your Antivirus up to date and don’t click on suspicious links shared in the social network. For example, posts with links supposedly leading to the videos with "shocking content." Those links will most likely spread a malware

6. Don’t chat with the strangers and never provide them with your personal information, copy of your ID, address, credit card, or your photos.

7. Remember that people can pretend to be someone else online. If you have any doubts about someone’s identity, don’t chat with this person and report it to your parents, teacher, or any adult person you can trust.

8. Before you publish anything on Facebook think twice. Ask yourself a few basic questions:

• Will this comment offend or hurt someone?  If yes, don’t publish it!
• Would I say it to person’s face? If not, don’t write it!
• What if your parents or teachers will read it? If you would be ashamed of it, don’t do publish it.

9. Never share (even in a private message with your boyfriend or girlfriend) nude or naughty pictures, or vulgar comments.

10. Be respectful, protect yours and others' reputations.

7 Key Facebook Safety Tips

1) Do a Privacy Checkup

Privacy Checkup walks you through three quick steps to help make sure only the people you want can see your stuff. You can review who you’re posting to, which applications you’re using and the privacy of key pieces of information on your profile.

The Privacy Checkup is always available via your privacy shortcuts on desktop (just click on the lock in the upper-right-hand corner of your screen).

2) Do a Security Checkup

Recently, we launched Security Checkup worldwide on desktop (mobile version is coming). Learning from the success of Privacy Checkup, we created a similar tool to help people quickly and easily access some of the security controls available for their accounts. These controls can still be accessed at any time in security settings. Using Security Checkup, you can take actions like:

Log out of unused devices: easily log out log out of devices you haven’t used in a while or forgot about, so you’re only logged into Facebook on the devices and browsers you approve.

Login alerts: If you turn on this feature, Facebook will send you a notification or email alert if someone tries to log into your account from an unfamiliar device or browser.

Using strong and unique passwords: The strength of your password is more important than how often you change it. Don’t use your Facebook password anywhere else online and never share it with anyone.

Sometime over the next few weeks, you’ll see a reminder at the top of your News Feed. Click “Get Started” and follow the prompts through three easy steps.

3) Turn on Login Approval

If people are only going to make one change to maximum security for their account, this is it. Commonly known as two-factor authentication (2FA), login approvals provide an extra security step whenever you login from a new device. Facebook will send a notification or email with a special code to complete the login process.

To turn on login approvals, go to “More” and tap “Settings.” From there, select security settings and check the box next to “Login Approvals.”

4) Set your trusted contacts

Trusted contacts are friends you can reach out to if you ever need help getting into your Facebook account (e.g., you forget your Facebook password and can’t get into your email account to reset it). The next time you can’t get into your account, your trusted contacts will receive special, one-time security codes from Facebook. You can then call your friends to get the security codes and together, those codes will help restore access to your account.

Go to your security settings, click “Trusted Contacts” and select three to five friends whom you know you can turn to in a bind.

5) Control what information you’re sharing with apps via Facebook Login

Ever logged into an app using your Facebook account? Most likely, you have. More than 80 percent of the top 100 grossing apps have Facebook Login, including some of your favorites like Airbnb, Etsy, Nike+ Running and more. When you log in, there’s now a quick and easy way to control what information you’re providing to the app (such as your likes, photos, birthday, hometown, etc.). This is a completely new and redesigned control screen that we first announced last year, and just a few months ago, it finished rolling out in all apps that have Facebook Login.

When you’re logging into an app using Facebook Login, just click, “Edit the Info You Provide.” This will bring you to a list of all of the personal information the app is requesting from you. You can check or uncheck each piece of information, line by line, to control what you share with the app. Plus, you don’t have to be afraid that the app will post on your Timeline without your consent—with Facebook Login, you choose whether to let the app post on your behalf.

6) Double-check the apps connected to your Facebook account

If you use Facebook Login to log into apps with your Facebook account, it’s a good idea to periodically review the apps you have connected to your account. This helps ensure that you’re only connecting your Facebook account to apps that you trust and use regularly.

Simply visit your app settings page on Facebook to review all of the apps that you’ve connected to your account. You might find some that you don’t really use anymore—and you can easily disconnect these apps from accessing your Facebook account using the controls on the app settings page.

7) Get to know your activity log

If you’re constantly paranoid that you posted or liked something accidentally, this will set your mind at ease. Your activity log includes all of your Facebook activities, organized by the date they happened. This could include posts you’ve liked, posts you’ve commented on, friend requests you’ve accepted, check-ins or photos you’ve been tagged in, etc. Only you can see your activity log. For example, you can use activity log to see which friends’ posts you liked over the past month or to go back and change the audience of a post you made in the past. It’s a good idea to check in on your activity log regularly.

Visit your profile and click “View Activity Log” in the bottom-right corner of your cover photo.

Readers: How many of these safety tips have you followed?

6 Expert Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe on Social Media

Today's kids are more social media savvy than ever. A whopping 80% of teens online use some form of social media, and they're sharing more information about themselves on social networks than they have in the past.

While growing up online has its benefits, it poses new risks. Between cyberbullying, oversharing and giving into peer pressure, a child's misuse of a social network can turn into a serious problem.

For many parents, navigating their child's social media presence is not only worrisome, but also challenging. But with the right approach, parents can set positive examples for their kids and teach them how to use social media responsibly and respectfully. 

Here are six tips from parenting experts to help you keep your kids safe on social media.

1. Educate yourself about social media.

Amy Morin, psychotherapist and parenting expert, recommends that parents take time to research and learn about the different social networks their children are using.

Familiarizing yourself with popular social platforms will give you a better understanding of how each service works. You may also want to create your own profile on these sites and apps to experience the networks firsthand.

"It's important for parents to understand the difference between Tumblr and Snapchat, because each social media platform has different risks," Morin tells Mashable.

Here some popular social networks kids are actively using.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Snapchat

Vine

YouTube

Tumblr

Secret

Whisper

2. Establish an age limit.

If you don't currently allow your children to use social media, it's a good idea to them know at what age they can start.

"When kids feel 'it's never going to happen,' they are more likely to set up their own, secret profile," says Mark Loewen, parenting coach and owner of Launch Pad Counseling, a counseling practice that specializes in working with parents and children.

When deciding what age you'll let your kids use social media, keep in mind that most social networks require users to be 13 or older to create an account. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents companies from collecting personal information about children under the age of 13 without their parents' permission.

3. Talk to your kids about the dangers and consequences of social media.

Many kids don't realize the consequences that come with using social media. They tend to underestimate how easily accessible their information is, and can forget that others are watching their online activity.

"Often, parents forget to talk about how pictures, comments and social interactions could impact their [children's] future," Morin says.

She suggests discussing real-life situations in which social media can pose harm, like stories in the news about kids being cyberbullied. She says it's important to make clear that your child can come to you with questions or help.

By talking to your kids about the danger signs of social media, they will more likely think twice before posting a photo or sharing their locations with others online.

4. Keep the computer in a common area of your home.

Rather than keeping a computer in your child's bedroom, keep it in a centralized and open location in your house. This way, you can easily keep an eye on your child's social media usage.

Morin says kids are less likely to engage in inappropriate behavior when they know their parents can look over their shoulder at any time.

5. Set guidelines or rules.

Establishing a set of guidelines or rules is a great way to instill positive social media habits in your child. For example, set a time limit for how long your child spends on social media during the week. You could also set specific times for you and your child to go online together and practice social media safety.

But don't set rules that are too rigid, Loewen advises. "Find a middle point where your child feels empowered to make good decisions without having to hide from you," he says.

6. Check your child's privacy settings regularly.

Make a point to check your child's privacy settings on each social network consistently. Social networks are constantly updating and changing their sites and apps, so you'll want to make sure your child's profile is as secure as it can be.

8 Tips to Make WhatsApp More Secure and Private

WhatsApp is among the fastest growing instant messengers out there, and almost a social network in its own way. But if you are using it, there are some steps you should take to protect your security and privacy.

This is above and beyond WhatsApp’s built-in end-to-end encryption. It’s enabled by default and can’t be turned off. The encryption ensures that your messages can only be read on the recipient’s phone. It’s the same for voice calls and video calls, both of which are encrypted.

1. Check Encryption for Sensitive Conversations

Even though WhatsApp encrypts all chats by default, sometimes you want to double-check. It’s good practice to do that while sharing sensitive information like a credit card number with a trusted contact.

To verify the encryption, start a conversation with that contact. In the chat window, tap the contact’s name, and then tap Encryption. You’ll see something like this:

This 40-digit pattern is your security code. You can verify this code manually by comparing the digits, asking the contact to scan that QR code, or scanning your contact’s code with the “Scan Code” button. As security researcher Martin Shelton notes, it’s best to use a different messenger to verify that these numbers match.

2. Turn On Security Notifications

When a new phone or laptop accesses an existing chat, a new security code is generated for both phones. And WhatsApp can send a notification when the security code changes. This way, you can check the encryption with your friend over a different messenger, ensuring its security.

To turn on security notifications, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Security > Show security notifications and flip the toggle to green, as pictured above.

3. Enable Two-Step Verification

If a service supports it, you should be using two factor authentication (2FA). This adds a periodic passcode to WhatsApp, and also ensures your data isn’t accessed by someone else.

To activate 2FA, go to Menu > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable. Follow the steps to create a six-digit PIN code that you can easily remember. Importantly, add your email address to retrieve that code in case you forget it.

The periodic checks for the passcode are randomized, so it’s not exactly the same as password-locking your chat. But that’s not 2FA’s purpose anyway. The purpose is to stop someone else from accessing your WhatsApp account without your consent. It’s truly one of the best new WhatsApp features.

4. You Can’t Password Protect WhatsApp

Unfortunately, there’s no way to lock WhatsApp with a password. WhatsApp has said so explicitly, and recommends using a third-party locking app for it on Android.

On iPhones, there is simply no way to password-protect WhatsApp. Apple doesn’t allow it, whether with a passcode or Touch ID.

So for now, the periodic 2FA pin is your only hope. Apart from that, the only way to keep WhatsApp private from snooping eyes is to use a password or pattern lock on your phone.

5. Disable Cloud Backups (If You Care About Privacy)

The end-to-end encryption is awesome, but there’s one loophole: WhatsApp backs up chats to Google Drive or iCloud. That way, if you reinstall it later, you can retrieve your old messages. But this backup isn’t encrypted.

So if you really care about your privacy, then that’s something you need to disable. Remember, storing your data with Apple and Google might not protect you against eavesdropping by governments.

To disable automatic cloud backups:

On iPhone: Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Auto Backup > Off
On Android: Go to WhatsApp > Menu > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Backup to Google Drive > Never

6. Beware of Common Scams

Since it’s an instant messenger, you might get some scams on WhatsApp periodically. You need to know some of the popular ones and not fall for them.

The most persistent ones talk about a premium version of WhatsApp, “WhatsApp Gold,” or your account expiring. No matter how it’s worded, the scam is about making you pay for WhatsApp. It shouldn’t need to be said, but don’t ever pay money for WhatsApp. The company has made it clear that WhatsApp will forever be free.

7. Get the Official WhatsApp Desktop Apps

To use WhatsApp on your computer, you need to sync your phone with either WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp desktop apps. To be on the safe side, get the official desktop app.

The main reason for this is that WhatsApp Web can be easily manipulated, the Electronic Frontier Foundation says. It’s one of the biggest security threats WhatsApp users are facing. And when the EFF wrote that report, the recommended solution was to provide desktop clients.

Sure, the WhatsApp desktop client is only second best and there are better options. But don’t trade in security for a few extra features.

8. Protect Your Privacy on WhatsApp

WhatsApp isn’t the most private messenger out there, but it gives users at least some control. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy to see everything at your disposal.

You can control who can see your Last Seen, profile photo, about, status, and live location. You can also turn off Read Receipts here, so the blue check marks are switched off.