Expert Tips To Stay Safe on Facebook in 2025 for You and Your Kids

Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with billions of users worldwide. What started in a college dorm room has become the primary means of communication, networking, and entertainment for many people. 

However, over the past few years, its reputation has taken a hit due to privacy, safety, and ethics concerns. For many users, the question isn’t just whether Facebook is useful but also whether it is safe. 

From data breaches to changing content moderation policies, using Facebook requires understanding the risks and how to mitigate them. In this article, we will try to show you the reality of Facebook’s safety and give you actionable tips for a safe experience on the platform.

Is Facebook Safe? 

Facebook is essentially safe for users when approached responsibly. It has solid security features and privacy settings to help you protect your account and data. However, like any big platform, Facebook has risks that can’t be ignored.

One of the biggest is Facebook’s history of data breaches. In 2021, 533 million users’ information was leaked, including phone numbers, locations, and email addresses. The vulnerability was patched later, but this incident showed how private data can be exposed. Previous mistakes, like storing passwords in plain text, show how they failed to protect sensitive user information.

Another issue is Facebook’s data collection. The platform tracks you on and off Facebook, building detailed profiles for targeted ads. While this is good for personalisation, many users feel it’s too much. Previous scandals like Cambridge Analytica, where millions of users’ data was used for political purposes, further eroded trust in Facebook’s commitment to privacy.

Scams and phishing are also a serious problem on this platform. Fake messages and links often trick users into sharing login credentials or personal info. Fake profiles and misinformation can compromise account security and user trust. Facebook has taken steps to address these, but we must still be vigilant.

Even with the risks, Facebook has tools to help you stay safe. Features like login alerts, privacy checkups, and an enhanced privacy suite allow you to control your online experience. You can reduce vulnerabilities by customising who can see your posts, adjusting app permissions, and enabling security features like two-factor authentication. With that and being mindful online, Facebook can be a safer space for users. We will touch on safety tips later on in this article.

Is Facebook Safe For Kids?

No, Facebook is not a safe platform for children. Despite its popularity, it was never made for younger users. Risks like exposure to explicit content, dangerous interactions, and weak parental controls make it unsuitable for kids. 

Meta allows all users over 13 to sign up for Facebook. Common Sense Media, a non-profit website for expert age rating, recommends that users be at least 15. We’ve highlighted some risks that make this platform less suitable for children. 

Weak Parental Controls

Facebook has some tools for parents, like limiting content or managing connections, but kids can easily bypass them. Most controls have no enforcement, so that kids can change settings without parental approval. This lack of oversight doesn’t give parents real peace of mind.

Dangerous Communication and Tracking

Creating a Facebook account is easy, and kids can connect with strangers. This increases the risk of grooming and cyberbullying. Facebook’s location tracking is often enabled by different means, even when you opt out. This is a big safety concern. Features like “Nearby Friends” can accidentally share a child’s location with predators and make in-person encounters possible.

Excessive Screen Time

Facebook’s design is designed to keep you online. Features like endless scrolling, content recommendations, and interactive elements are designed to keep you engaged. However, these addictive elements can lead to unhealthy screen habits, especially for kids who lack the self-regulation to balance online and offline life.

Explicit Content

All content on Facebook is user-generated, so exposure to explicit material is a big risk. While guidelines restrict explicit content, there are exceptions for artistic or awareness campaigns. This creates loopholes, and with 3 billion users, harmful content often slips through, and kids are exposed to content unsuitable for their age.

Easy Internet Access

The Facebook app has an in-app browser that allows users to access external websites through shared links. These “backdoors” allow kids to bypass parental controls to restrict web access, opening them up to more harmful content beyond Facebook’s platform.

What Measures Are Meta Taking to Keep Facebook Safe?

Meta has taken many measures to keep Facebook safe for its users. At the core is Meta’s Community Standards, developed by experts like academics, NGOs, and legal professionals. These are publicly available, so you can see what is allowed and how violations are handled. Meta has also published the internal guidelines used by its content review teams to clarify how they work.

One key part of Meta’s safety measures is its global team of content reviewers. These people work 24/7 in multiple languages to review reported content quickly and accurately. They escalate complex cases to Facebook employees with specific expertise when needed. This tiered approach is essential for sensitive issues like child exploitation or terrorism, where subject matter expertise is critical.

They have recently added AI tools to help identify and remove harmful content, such as child abuse material or terrorist propaganda before users even report it. These tools also speed up the review process by routing reports to the right teams and eliminating duplicates. This combination of human oversight and technology is at the heart of their safety framework.

One of the more subtle measures is the Cross-Check system. This process provides an extra layer of review for content from high-profile accounts to ensure enforcement decisions are correct. It doesn’t hide violative content but prevents policy application errors, especially for high-profile accounts.

Meta also protects younger users. Accounts of people suspected to be under 13 go through a strict age verification process. If there are credible indicators that a user is under 13, their account is put on hold until they can provide proof of age.

What Does Facebook’s Shift from Fact-Checkers to Community Notes Mean for the Users?

Meta is moving from third-party fact-checkers to a Community Notes system, which is a big change in moderation. Previously, fact-checkers would flag misinformation but couldn’t delete posts, so enforcement was left to Meta. The new system is inspired by X (formerly Twitter), where users can add context or corrections to a post, and notes will be visible if rated “helpful” by an algorithm.

This is user-driven moderation, promoting free expression and reducing the perception of centralised censorship. Users can now challenge misinformation. However, delays in note approval and potential bias are a concern, especially during misinformation outbreaks.

How to Keep Your Data Safe on Facebook?

Your data on digital platforms is never truly safe. So, no matter what measures the platform takes to protect you and your data, there is always more you can do. 

Adjust Your Ad Settings

Facebook collects data to show you personalised ads. To limit how your data is used, go to Settings > Ads > Ad Settings. Turn off ads based on partner data and activity on Facebook and other apps. You can’t opt out completely, but this will reduce targeted ads using your info. You’ll find detailed guides in our article on how to get rid of ads on Facebook.

Limit Location Tracking

Turn off Facebook’s access to location services on your device. Then, use a trusted VPN to mask your IP address so Facebook can’t pinpoint your location. However, using a VPN may require you to verify your identity on Facebook more frequently when logging in. 

Use Privacy Tools

Tools like Safari’s tracker blockers or Firefox’s Facebook Container can help reduce data collection. These tools block tracking through cookies and browser fingerprinting. However, this may limit Facebook’s features on other sites, such as sharing or commenting. S, test and see how it works for you. 

Manage Third-Party App Access

Check and edit the apps connected to your Facebook account. Go to “Settings” > “Apps and Websites” to remove apps you no longer use or limit their data access. For more control turn off access entirely under “Apps, Websites and Games”. Note this will prevent you from using Facebook login for other services.

Don’t Over Share

Prevent the Facebook app from accessing your contacts, location, and any other permission not entirely required to give you the service. For extra protection, evaluate your use of other Facebook-owned platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp; they collect similar data.

How To Keep Your Facebook Account Safe?

Protecting your Facebook account is essential to avoid unauthorised access and ensure your personal information stays secure. You can follow these steps to safeguard your account:

  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enabling 2FA adds an extra layer of security. When you log in from a new device, it will ask for a verification code sent to your phone or email.
  • Use a Strong Password: Create a password with letters, numbers, and symbols. To reduce risk, don’t use the same password as other accounts, and change your password every now and then.
  • Be cautious of Phishing: Never click on suspicious links or give your login details to unknown sites. Facebook will never ask for your credentials through email or messages.
  • Enable Login Alerts: Enable login notifications to receive alerts when someone tries to log in to your account. This way, you can act quickly if someone tries to breach your account.
  • Check Account Activity: Check your login history in “Settings” > “Security and Login.” If you see unknown devices or locations, remove them and change your password immediately.
  • Limit App Permissions: Remove unused apps or services connected to your Facebook account. This reduces the risk of third-party access to your data.
  • Don’t Share Personal Info Publicly: Keep sensitive information like your phone number, address, or financial details off your profile. Use Facebook’s privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information.

Wrapping Up

Facebook can be safe and fun when used with care and awareness. But it’s clear there are still many risks, from privacy flaws to content issues. Knowing these and taking steps will allow you to remain safe while using the platform. 

As digital safety becomes more important, you must stay informed and alert. By doing so, you can use the platform without compromising your personal info or well-being. Remember, your online safety is in your hands. Be proactive, be protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to send money through Facebook?

Sending money through Meta Pay (formerly Facebook Pay) is relatively safe, thanks to encryption and fraud detection features. Meta makes sure that all transactions are encrypted. Users can enable additional safeguards like PINs or biometric authentication. But always be on the lookout for scammers on the platform.

Is Facebook Marketplace Safe?

Facebook Marketplace can be safe if you take proper precautions. The platform includes features like Purchase Protection and Seller Protection to safeguard transactions. However, scams are always a concern in any online marketplace. To stay safe, only communicate through Facebook Messenger, avoid sharing personal information, and verify buyer or seller profiles. 

Does Facebook Monitor You?

Yes, Facebook monitors your activity both on and off the platform. It collects data from your interactions, browsing history, and even partner apps to build detailed user profiles for targeted advertising. While this improves personalisation, it raises concerns about privacy and data usage.

Is Facebook Safe for Chatting?

Facebook Messenger is safe and secure as it recently added end-to-end encryption for its chats. However, users should still be cautious of phishing scams and avoid sharing sensitive information, as encryption doesn’t protect against malicious links or compromised accounts.