A 2011 survey showed that 30% of teen’s accounts had been hacked – by a friend!  So help them check their privacy and safety settings on a regular basis.

Security settings are the key.  So stop what you’re doing and print out this article.  Then log into Facebook and update these settings.

From Account settings, click on Security.  I recommend the following settings for the highest level of security.

1. Secure Browsing – enabled.

2. Login Notifications – enabled.

3. Login Approvals – enabled.  This feature requires that you have a cell phone capable of receiving text messages.  When enabled, you will receive a code via text message if your account is utilized from an unknown location.

This is essential for teens.  They may use computers at a friend’s house, the library, or other public places.  As an example, if you are logging in to Facebook from a computer in the library, you’ll be asked to enter in a code.  You’ll get the text message, know that it’s YOU using Facebook, and enter the code.  If you receive the text message and you WERE NOT trying to log into Facebook, you’ll know there is a problem.  And the get attempting to get into your account will not have the code.

4. App Passwords – If you don’t have many apps related with your Facebook account, you can probably leave this off.  If you do enable login mortgage approvals as defined above, and you do use apps such as Skype through Facebook, then you may want to set app passwords.  You can read about this function on Facebook Help and Inside Facebook.

5. Recognized Devices – if there is anything detailed here that doesn’t look familiar, or the date is not latest, remove it.

6.  Active Sessions – remove all except Current period.

As a last step, go to General Account settings and change your Facebook password.  Lastly, log out of Facebook when not in use.

Now with your Facebook account safe and protected, you can get back to important Facebook actions, such as post-election re-friending, without too much of a fear of hackers acquiring your account.