These are Facebook privacy setting suggestions for teens using Facebook; however, I would also recommend these settings to parents and adults as well.
Following these steps will lock down your Facebook account, making it hard or impossible for strangers to contact, or add you, on Facebook. This will make your Facebook account as secure and private as it possibly can be without being on Facebook. If you have any suggestions or additions, please comment below.
Privacy
You can access your Facebook Privacy settings by clicking here.
Who can see my stuff?
Who can see your future posts? Friends
Review all your posts and things you’re tagged in Use Activity Log
You can use this tool to see and filter everything ever done on your Facebook profile. Handy if you want to untag yourself quickly.
Limit the audience for posts you’ve shared with friends of friends or Public? Limit Past Posts
You will want to limit past posts. This will change the privacy settings of all your older posts to just “Friends” even if the post was posted publicly before.
Who can contact me?
Who can send you friend requests? Friends of Friends
If there was a way to lock this down more, I would. I don’t think you can. Let me know if you know differently.
Who can look me up?
Who can look you up using the email address you provided? Friends of Friends
Who can look you up using the phone number you provided? Friends
Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile? No
If you’re building your SEO (your ability to be found in a search engine and you’re an adult) then you wouldn’t want to turn off the search engines, otherwise, it’s a smart move for teens.
Timeline and Tagging Settings
Click here to change your Facebook Timeline and Tagging Settings.
Who can add things to my timeline?
Who can post on your timeline? Friends
Review posts friends tag you in before they appear on your timeline? On
Reviewing posts will allow you to decide if you want to be tagged in a picture or post. You can decline if you wish.
Who can see things on my timeline?
Review what other people see on your timeline View As
This tool will let you see what a particular person sees when they view your profile. It’s handy if you’re worried about your settings for a particular group; however, I recommend that if you’re worried about a post or picture online, then you probably shouldn’t post it at all.
Who can see posts you’ve been tagged in on your timeline? Friends
Who can see what others post on your timeline? Friends
How can I manage tags people add and tagging suggestions?
Review tags people add to your own posts before the tags appear on Facebook? On
When you’re tagged in a post, who do you want to add to the audience if they aren’t already in it? Only Me (You can also choose “Friends”—I don’t think there’s a wrong answer.)
Who sees tag suggestions when photos that look like you are uploaded? Friends
Facebook Ads
Click here to change your Facebook Ad Settings.
Ads based on my use of websites and apps
Can you see online interest-based ads from Facebook? No
Ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook Companies
Can your Facebook ad preferences be used to show you ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook Companies? No
Ads with my social actions
Who can see your social actions paired with ads? No one
Ads based on my preferences
Manage the preferences we (Facebook) use to show you ads. Click here to manage your ad preferences. You can remove your ad preference information with this tool.
More Resources
For more information, check out these articles:
- 8 Tips for Kids and Social Media
- The Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy Settings
- How to Lock Down Your Facebook Account For Maximum Privacy and Security
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