A photo of Facebook privacy settings, during todays lesson.

After talking to the many students I teach, it is very clear that the majority do not seem to understand the Privacy setting on Facebook. This is obviously a massive concern, due to the sheer numbers of students across the country/world on Facebook.

I decided to remedy the situation during my year 9/3rd year project ‘Your Digital World‘.

For 15 – 20 minutes (however long it takes) at the beginning of each lesson this week, I gave students a tour of the Facebook privacy and profile settings. Some students knew some of the settings, but I would say the majority knew very little.

Students got really involved and asked plenty of questions. At the end of every lesson I have taught, they had said they were going to change the settings as soon as they got home.

I would encourage all schools to teach this information to their students and staff, if they do not already.

If you school/IT department block Facebook, ask them to unblock it for staff (students even) so they can deliver this important information. Even if it is only for the duration of the lessons.

I would love to hear from other schools doing something similar. I am particually interested in hearing from those at schools who will not unfilter Facebook, even for a lesson so that you can teach about the privacy settings.