Facebook has just unveiled its new Safety Center, a place for users of all stripes to learn about and maximize their security while browsing the popular social networking site.
The Safety Center has special areas for law enforcement, teens, parents and educators, representing a fourfold increase over the previous amount of safety-related content. Previously, the Help Center had some general information on privacy and security.
Safety tips for the general populace of Facebook users include such "no duh" tips as not giving out your password, as well as procedures for dealing with others posting objectionable photos of you or a controlling partner monitoring you on the site.
For teens, the amount of advice is copious and centers on reporting bullying, hate speech and abuse and impersonation. It's not all panic-button hysteria, either; kids are told they can't report a photo or person just because something unflattering was said or shown. And there's a word of caution most teens — and adults — would do well to hear a few times in the course of their online experiences, "Remember, unless you're prepared to attach something in your profile to a resume or scholarship application, don't post it."
The information tailored to parents explores the details of reporting someone to Facebook for inappropriate use of the network. It also gets into details about privacy options for minors and age restrictions for using Facebook; if a user is under 13 years of age, the parent can get the child's Facebook page zapped like a bug. But if the kid in question is 13 or older, that parent is out of luck due to privacy laws. Facebook recommends installing monitoring and controlling software, instead.
Tips for educators are largely the same, but also include information on maintaining separate professional and personal spheres on the site and dealing with suicidal warning signs they might see on Facebook.
Law enforcement officials can get information from Facebook when it's needed during a criminal investigation. They can also report sex offenders and suspected terrorist activity to the website.
Facebook got some help from a few organizations when deciding how to revamp its safety information for users. ChildNet International, Common Sense Media, Connect Safely, the Family Online Safety Institute and WiredSafety are members of the social network's Safety Advisory Board.
Facebooker Joe Sullivan wrote this morning on Facebook's official blog that the board "has provided invaluable advice. We'll continue working closely with our partners to update and augment the Safety Center. This launch only begins to accelerate our efforts to make Facebook a better and safer place to engage."