Facebook Inc Assists in Promoting Internet Safety

By DAVID WOODBURN
Published: September 14, 2012 at 8:36 am

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), pretty much from the start, has been a socially conscious social-networking site. Facebook has taken an active role in promoting peace in violent areas, encouraged voter participation in elections, advocated for blood donations in response to natural disasters, provided avenues of communications with the outside world during chaotic times and government crackdowns, and now even encourages organ donors to make their intentions known.

Recently, Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) took a new stance, as a representative of the company joined forces with South Carolina’s attorney general to meet with high-school students to
discuss Internet safety
in general, and how to be a safe Facebook user more specifically.

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) executive Brooke Oberwetter addressed the group of high-school students, telling them some best practices to keep them at a safe distance from online stalkers. She joined in the attorney general’s cautions against accepting friend requests from strangers online, nd she encouraged the students to not only use their real names and photos of themselves, but also to be factual when setting up a profile – mainly due to the types of advertising they see; most of it is geared toward certain demographics and may not be appropriate for high-school-aged users who lie about their ages.

“Be very, very careful that you know the people that you’re friending on Facebook,” Oberwetter said. “Talk to your parents, use good judgment and don’t overshare.”

She added that the use of real names and photos have added a layer of security and safety to the Internet. ”That makes me much more likely as an Internet user to be civil,”  she said.

These small steps to be more engaged in society and to help make an impact among the 900 million worldwide users of Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) can likely help