Privacy and Safety on Facebook: A Guide for Survivors of Abuse
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) has paired with the social networking site Facebook to create a guide for survivors of abuse to maintain safety and control over their personal information when utilizing social media. The comprehensive guide was released on Tuesday, July 30, 2013.
NNEDV has created a 6-page publication detailing tips for survivors of abuse on how to use Facebook in a way that allows individuals to stay safe and maintain control over posts and personal information. The guide includes topics on managing friends and connections made on the social media site, how to edit and review privacy settings, utilizing security settings and notifications to their utmost potential, and knowing how to use the tools provided within Facebook when misuse of information or harassment should occur.
In a statement released by the National Network, this guide is in response to the continuing importance survivors voice in remaining connected to their friends and families – both online and offline. “Privacy and safety go hand in hand for survivors. The most dangerous time for a victim of abuse is when they are preparing to leave or have left an abusive partner. It is critical that survivors have the information that they need to navigate their lives safely and, in today’s digital age, a significant part of our lives are online.”
Although NNEDV’s guide does not promise complete protection for survivors on Facebook, it gives individuals the knowledge on “how to use Facebook in a way that ensures that they stay connected with friends and family, but control their safety and privacy to help prevent misuse by abusers, stalkers, and perpetrators.”
Download: Privacy & Safety on Facebook Guide