Facebook was created as a social networking site intended to allow users to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues, but instead many are using it as a way to mistreat and harass others. The following is a list of the most common and inappropriate things we’re encountering in the Middle School level:
Facebook is being used to send or post threatening messages
Facebook is being use to mistreat or make nasty comments to or about others
Facebook is being used to spread rumors about someone online
Facebook is being used to post embarrassing pictures of others
Facebook is being used to exclude others, usually by one or more people forcing others to remove a targeted student as their Facebook friend or block them
Facebook is being used to share personal information, such as phone numbers and home addresses
Facebook is being used by older men to send inappropriate messages to young girls
Facebook users are adding people they’ve never met
Facebook’s website is blocked on all school networks, which means that most of this is happening on your home computer. Because of this, we’re asking all parents to team up with Frink in an attempt to stop students from using Facebook inappropriately. Facebook requires individuals to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account, which means that many of our students are lying about their age in order to create an account. This is in violation of Facebook’s terms! If you knew this already and still allow your child to have a Facebook account, we offer the following suggestions:
know your child’s password to their Facebook account so you can see their profile walls, their friend’s walls, and their private messages. This will allow you to see everything that they’re saying to others and what others are saying to them. They may be angry with you, but as their parent you have the right to know what they’re saying and doing to others and what others are saying and doing to them;
change their privacy settings so only friends can see what is on their profile page; this will eliminate unwanted viewers and strangers from looking at their profile and their personal information. Go through their friends list and ask them about the friends on their list. Make a rule that they can only add people they actually know and have them delete people they do not know personally. Pay extra attention to any older friends on their list, especially men, and keep close watch over any comments they make to your child;
report abuse to Facebook administrators by clicking on “Report This Person” on that person’s profile screen. The reporting is done anonymously, and no one will ever know you or your child was the one to report the behavior. Print or save messages from the abuser so you can use them to support your claims;
set clear rules and expectations about mistreating others and consequences for inappropriate behavior;
be watchful if your child is spending a lot of time on the computer and being secretive about computer use, such as quickly changing the computer screen when you approach or password-protecting their computers;
monitor online activities by keeping computers in common areas, such as the kitchen or family room;
ask teachers and other parents about sites your child uses and check them often. Make sure they’re age appropriate;
take steps to block or track online activities. Ask your Internet service provider about special software you can use;
set administrator passwords on your computer to restrict access to specific programs or websites. Check the parental controls on your internet browser to find settings you can modify, such as restricting websites that contain specific content (such as alcohol or violence); some browsers even allow you to set the time of the day the internet can be accessed!
teach your child not to share personal information online , such as their full name, school, address, and phone numbers. Online predators can easily piece together information shared in a video, blog, or post in order to be able to locate a student. Something as innocent as posting a picture wearing a Frink shirt lets predators know where they can find your child during school hours. (Our intent is not to scare you, but to inform you so you can better protect your children! Realize that even though you think your child is safe in the adjacent room, they may be putting themselves in a dangerous situation. Visit www.GoMcGruff.com for more information on online predators and tips on how to protect your children.)
MySpace,Twitter, YouTube, and Tumblr accounts, as well as cell phones, are also being used as a tool for harassment and mistreatment. Make sure to check text messages, blogs, and videos posted or received by your child! Tell your child not to reply to any bullying or abusive messages. Save all communications with the person who sent them. If possible, block the person’s accounts, mail address and instant message screen name from your child’s computer. Consider reporting the problem to local law enforcement and your Internet and/or cell phone service provider if your solutions to mistreatment are not effective.