How to make Facebook safe for elderly parents?

According to a 2021 NORC and AARP study, nearly 6 in 10 older adults reported experiencing cyber abuse committed by strangers. Learning how to make Facebook safe for elderly parents is a crucial step for protecting them from online scams, misinformation, and privacy breaches.

Quick Summary

Securing an elderly parent's Facebook account involves adjusting privacy settings, enabling stronger security features like two-factor authentication, and teaching them to recognize online scams and misinformation. Open communication is key to maintaining their digital safety.

Key Points

• Privacy First: Set all sensitive profile information, past posts, and the friends list to be visible only to 'Friends' or 'Only me' to limit public access.

• Secure the Account: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and set up login alerts to protect against unauthorized access, even if the password is compromised.

• Educate on Scams: Teach your parent to recognize common red flags for phishing, romance, and impersonation scams, which often play on emotions and a sense of urgency.

• Verify Connections: Advise against accepting friend requests from strangers and to be suspicious of requests from existing friends, as it could be a fake account.

• Communicate Often: Maintain an open dialogue about their online experiences and encourage a 'when in doubt, ask' policy to build trust and ensure ongoing vigilance.

• Update Habits: Remind parents to avoid oversharing personal details like travel plans and to be cautious when clicking links, especially on public Wi-Fi.

Understanding the Risks: Why Seniors Are Targets

Seniors are increasingly active on social media, using platforms like Facebook to connect with family and friends. However, their online activity can attract scammers who exploit trust and less tech-savvy users for financial gain or personal information. Common threats include phishing attempts, fake friend requests, romance scams, and sharing of personal data with unintended audiences. Caregivers and family members can take proactive steps to secure their loved ones' accounts and educate them on safer online practices.

Step 1: Conduct a Comprehensive Privacy Settings Audit

Sit down with your parent to review their Facebook privacy settings together. This is the most effective way to control their digital footprint. Explain each setting clearly and help them make informed choices about who can see their information.

Limiting Who Can See Their Posts

This is a foundational step for protecting your parent's privacy.

• Set Future Posts to 'Friends': Navigate to 'Settings & Privacy' > 'Settings' > 'Audience and visibility' > 'How people find and contact you'. Under 'Who can see your future posts?', change the setting to 'Friends'.
• Limit Past Posts: To protect older posts, use the 'Limit past posts' tool. This changes the audience for all public and 'Friends of friends' posts to just 'Friends'.
• Hide the Friends List: Scammers often use friends lists to target other members of a senior's social circle. Under 'Who can see your friends list?', set this to 'Only me'.

Securing the 'About' Section

Personal information in the 'About' section is a goldmine for scammers who can use it for identity theft or to craft targeted phishing messages.

• Review all public information: Go through each section (Contact and Basic Info, Family and Relationships, etc.) and ensure the audience for every piece of information is set to 'Friends' or 'Only me'.
• Hide the Birth Year: Your parent's full birthdate is sensitive information. At a minimum, set the visibility of the birth year to 'Only me'.

Step 2: Implement Advanced Security Features

Protecting the account from unauthorized access is equally as important as privacy settings.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This is one of the most effective security measures. 2FA requires a code from a text message or an authentication app in addition to the password. Go to 'Settings & Privacy' > 'Settings' > 'Security and login' and enable 'Use two-factor authentication'.
• Set Up Login Alerts: Receive notifications if someone tries to log in from an unrecognized device or browser. This allows for immediate action if a breach is suspected. These can be found in the 'Security and login' section under 'Setting up extra security'.
• Create a Strong, Unique Password: Help your parent create a password that is long and contains a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Encourage them not to reuse this password for other accounts.

Step 3: Teach Red Flag Recognition for Common Scams

Education is a key defense. Many scams rely on emotional manipulation and urgency. Teach your parents to be skeptical and take a moment to pause before acting.

Types of Online Scams to Watch For:

• Phishing Messages: Messages that appear to be from Facebook or a trusted company asking for login credentials or personal information.
• Romance Scams: Scammers create fake profiles to build a relationship and eventually ask for money.
• Fake Friend Requests: Fraudsters create fake accounts impersonating friends and family to gain access to a person's friends list and information.
• Impersonation Scams: A scammer sends a message claiming to be a family member in distress, needing money wired immediately.
• Lottery or Prize Scams: Messages claiming your parent has won a prize but must provide financial information to claim it.
• Tech Support Scams: A pop-up message or post claiming the computer has a virus and providing a phone number to call for help.

Step 4: Promote Safe Posting and Connection Habits

Managing behavior is as important as managing settings.

• Be Cautious with Friend Requests: Only accept requests from people they know in real life. If a request comes from someone they are already friends with, it's a red flag. Check mutual friends and profile details before accepting.
• Be Mindful of Sharing Personal Information: Remind them not to post sensitive information like travel plans, addresses, or financial details. Posting about an upcoming vacation can alert potential burglars that the home will be vacant.
• Block and Report Suspicious Accounts: Show them how to block and report profiles that are clearly fake or harassing. Blocking prevents the scammer from making contact.
• Use Public Wi-Fi with Caution: Advise against logging into Facebook or performing other sensitive activities while using public Wi-Fi, as it can expose their personal information to hackers.

Comparison Table: Safe vs. Risky Facebook Habits

Aspect	Safe Practice	Risky Practice
Password	A long, complex, unique password for Facebook only.	A simple password (e.g., birthday, pet name) used for multiple sites.
Friend Requests	Accepting only from people you know personally and verifying requests from existing friends.	Accepting requests from strangers or profiles with no mutual friends.
Sharing Info	Keeping personal info (birth year, location, phone number) hidden from public view.	Publicly sharing your full address, phone number, and vacation plans.
Links	Hovering over links to check the URL; never clicking on suspicious or unexpected links.	Clicking on any link promising a prize or discount without verifying the source.
Messaging	Ignoring or blocking messages from strangers and verifying requests for money via other means.	Engaging in conversations with unknown profiles or wiring money based on a message.

Step 5: Regular Monitoring and Open Communication

Protecting your parents online is an ongoing effort. The most crucial part of this process is maintaining open and honest communication.

• Schedule Regular Check-ins: Periodically check in with your parents to discuss their online experiences. Ask if they have seen any suspicious posts or messages. This creates a no-blame environment where they feel comfortable asking for help.
• Stay Informed Together: Encourage both of you to stay up-to-date on the latest online threats. Websites like the CISA provide excellent resources on cybersecurity for older adults. For a comprehensive overview of safety tips, see the CISA online safety guide.
• Create a "When in Doubt, Ask" Rule: Establish a clear rule: if they are ever unsure about a message, post, or friend request, they should not click and instead ask a trusted family member. This simple habit can prevent a majority of online attacks.

Conclusion

Making Facebook safe for elderly parents requires a combination of technical adjustments and practical education. By taking the time to audit privacy settings, implement strong security features, and teach your loved ones how to spot red flags, you can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to online scams and privacy violations. The key is to approach this as a supportive, ongoing conversation, ensuring your parents feel empowered and secure as they enjoy connecting with their community online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I teach my elderly parent to recognize Facebook scams?

Start with simple, clear examples of common scams, like requests for money from 'family members' or prize notifications. Explain that if a request feels urgent or too good to be true, it likely is. Teach them to verify suspicious messages by calling the person directly.

What is the most important privacy setting to change on Facebook for an elderly person?

The most critical setting is limiting who can see future posts. Go to 'Settings' > 'Audience and visibility' and set 'Who can see your future posts?' to 'Friends' to prevent strangers from viewing their activity and information.

How do I set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on my parent's Facebook?

Go to 'Settings & Privacy' > 'Settings' > 'Security and Login'. Find 'Use two-factor authentication' and follow the on-screen instructions, typically using a text message code to verify their identity on new logins.

My parent keeps getting friend requests from strangers. What should we do?

Advise your parent to ignore or decline all requests from strangers. If the request comes from someone they are already friends with, it is likely a fake, duplicated account. They should message the real friend to check and then block the suspicious profile.

Is it safe for my elderly parent to use Facebook on public Wi-Fi?

It is not recommended for your parent to log in to Facebook or do anything that involves sensitive information on public Wi-Fi. Explain that these networks are often unsecured and can expose their data to hackers. Encourage them to wait until they are on a trusted network at home.

How can I prevent my elderly parent from sharing too much personal information?

Explain the risks of oversharing, such as giving away hints for password security questions or announcing when they are away from home. Encourage them to only share information they would be comfortable with a stranger knowing.

What's the best way to handle misinformation that my elderly parent shares?

Approach the topic calmly and respectfully. Instead of directly accusing them, use phrases like 'I saw you shared something and I wanted to check if it's true.' You can show them how to use a reputable fact-checking site, like Snopes, to verify questionable content.