Facebook Safety Settings

Facebook safety settings help parents and eligible teenagers review privacy, contact, content and account security together. This guide explains the verified controls and their limits. For families, settings work best alongside regular conversations and support when something goes wrong.

Age Rating and Child Safety Warning

Facebook generally requires a minimum age of 13, with higher requirements in some countries. However, an account minimum is not a recommendation for a child. Teen Accounts apply protective defaults automatically. A parent connection is not required for those defaults to exist. Teenagers under 16 need parent permission to make protected settings less restrictive. Teenagers aged 16 or 17 can have different permissions, particularly when supervision is active. Use an accurate birthday and do not use a parent’s account as a substitute.

For example, an app store rating describes content classification rather than the minimum age for an account. Parental consent does not automatically override the service’s age rules. Review Facebook Teen Accounts and the account’s current eligibility before setup.

Restrictions Available

Connect the teen with a parent

The parent and teenager need their own eligible accounts. Supervision begins only when the invitation is accepted. Keep passwords separate and confirm which accounts are included.

• On the teen’s Facebook account, open Menu, then Settings & privacy and Settings. Open Teen Account settings. If this entry is absent, use Meta’s account specific setup help rather than an adult profile.
• Select Parent or Guardian.
• Find the parent’s account and send the supervision request, or share the invitation link offered by Facebook.
• On the parent’s account, open the invitation and complete acceptance.
• Review the linked account in Family Center before adjusting supervision.

Why it matters: For parents, acceptance is necessary before managing supported controls. Supervision does not provide the contents of private conversations. Insights and alerts differ by app. Confirm the teen’s Facebook dashboard rather than assuming Instagram or Messenger features are identical.

Choose a limited audience for future posts

Facebook uses individual audience controls rather than one fully private account switch.

• Open Menu in the Facebook app.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, open Posts.
• Select Who can see your future posts? and choose Friends or a smaller audience.
• Check the audience again on each new post, especially a Reel or Story.

Why it matters: Therefore, review each sharing destination. This change does not automatically restrict older posts, public groups or information that Facebook keeps public.

Review profile visibility

Posts, profile information and contact discovery need separate review.

• Open Menu, then Settings & privacy and Settings.
• Open Audience and visibility.
• Review the profile, follower, discovery and tagging categories shown for the account.
• Reduce each audience to the smallest suitable group and review public profile details.
• Use the linked official privacy guide when an account presents different labels.

Why it matters: For example, a private post audience does not hide a public profile photograph. Avoid publishing the teenager’s school, contact details or routine.

Block a profile that crosses a boundary

Blocking limits contact from the selected profile.

• Open Menu, then Settings & privacy and Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, select Blocking.
• Choose Add to blocked list, find the correct profile and select Block.
• Read the confirmation and complete it.

Why it matters: However, blocking does not erase shared copies or prevent contact through another profile. Review Messenger separately and leave an unsafe shared group where needed.

Enable two factor authentication

Accounts Center holds the current authentication controls.

• Open Menu, then Settings & privacy and Settings.
• Open Accounts Center, then Password and security.
• Select Two-factor authentication and choose the Facebook account.
• Choose an Authentication app where supported and complete the prompts.
• Review recovery options and keep recovery codes somewhere secure.

Why it matters: In addition, protect the linked email account. A login code is not something a friend or support agent needs, so do not share it.

Review the teen’s protective defaults

Teen Accounts combine audience, contact and content protections.

• Open the teen’s Teen Account settings.
• Review the protection choices shown for that age and keep the stronger options.
• On the linked parent account, open Family Center and review available time and approval controls.
• If a change needs parental approval, discuss the reason before approving it.

Why it matters: Similarly, a protective default is not a guarantee. Meta’s newer content protections roll out by account and region, so confirm the actual options rather than assuming an announcement applies immediately.

Limit the audience for older posts

Changing future posts does not repair earlier public posts. Limit Past Posts changes qualifying older posts to Friends.

• Open Facebook and select Menu.
• Open Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, select Posts.
• Select Limit who can see past posts or the Limit Past Posts option shown in your version.
• Read the explanation and confirm Limit Past Posts.
• Review individual older posts afterwards. Change their audience separately when they need a smaller audience.

Why it matters: For example, an old public photo can reveal routines or school information. This bulk change cannot be reversed with one switch. Tagged people and their friends may still have access, depending on the post. See Meta’s limit the audience for older posts instructions.

Reduce friend requests from strangers

The narrower friend request option still permits requests through mutual friends.

• Open Facebook, then Menu.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, open How people find and contact you.
• Select Who can send you friend requests?.
• Choose Friends of friends.

Why it matters: However, a shared friend does not establish that someone is trustworthy. Review each request with the teenager and decline unfamiliar people. See Meta’s reduce friend requests from strangers instructions.

Hide the friends list on the profile

The friends list can expose the teenager’s social connections.

• Open Facebook and select Menu.
• Open Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, select How people find and contact you.
• Select Who can see your friends list?.
• Choose Only me.

Why it matters: For parents, this limits the list on this profile. A friendship can remain visible through the other person’s list, mutual friends and activity elsewhere. See Meta’s hide the friends list on the profile instructions.

Reduce suggestions based on contact details

Facebook can use an email address or phone number to suggest a profile. These are suggestion controls, not a promise to make an account impossible to find.

• Open Facebook, then Menu.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, open How people find and contact you.
• Open the option controlling suggestions based on your email address. Choose the narrowest audience offered.
• Repeat for the option based on your phone number.

Why it matters: As a result, contact details should not become an easy route to the teenager. Other information and mutual connections can still produce suggestions. Available choices vary, so do not substitute an obsolete email lookup setting. See Meta’s reduce suggestions based on contact details instructions.

Disable external search engine links

This setting addresses search engines outside Facebook. It does not hide the profile from Facebook searches.

• Open Facebook and select Menu.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, open How people find and contact you.
• Select Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?.
• Disable the permission and confirm if prompted.

Why it matters: However, search engines may take time to update existing results. Public content, other people’s posts and cached copies can remain searchable. See Meta’s disable external search engine links instructions.

Use the Restricted list appropriately

A restricted friend generally sees Public content and posts that tag them rather than ordinary Friends posts. This is different from blocking a profile.

• Open Facebook and visit the friend’s profile.
• Select Friends.
• Select Edit friend list.
• Select Restricted.

Why it matters: For example, this can separate an existing acquaintance from private posts. It is not a general ban on comments or messages. Facebook’s Story rules also exclude restricted friends, so check the Story audience separately. See Meta’s use the restricted list appropriately instructions.

Review tagged posts before they reach the profile

Profile review lets the teenager approve whether tagged posts appear on their own profile.

• Open Facebook, then Menu.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, open Profile and tagging.
• Under Reviewing, turn on Review posts you’re tagged in before the post appears on your profile.
• To review waiting posts, return to Menu and select your name.
• Open Options below your profile picture, then Review posts and tags.
• Approve only appropriate posts. Decline profile placement when a post reveals private information.

Why it matters: However, a declined post can still appear on its author’s profile, in Feed or search. Removing a tag or reporting the original content is a separate action. See Meta’s review tagged posts before they reach the profile instructions.

Review tags added to your own posts

Tag review covers tags other people add to posts you create. It serves a different purpose from reviewing posts that tag you.

• Open Facebook and select Menu.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, open Profile and tagging.
• Turn on Review tags people add to your posts before the tags appear on Facebook.
• Check the notification when a tag awaits review and approve only intended tags.

Why it matters: For example, an added tag may expand a post’s audience. Review both the tag and the audience. This does not stop someone copying the content. See Meta’s review tags added to your own posts instructions.

Set a limited default audience for Reels

Reels have their own audience control. Do not assume that the audience for ordinary posts covers every video.

• On the Facebook website, select your profile picture in the top right.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Under Audience and visibility, select Reels.
• Open the default audience option and choose Friends or a smaller audience offered.
• Check the audience shown before publishing each Reel. Review existing Reels individually because a future default does not automatically change them.

Why it matters: As a result, public videos can reach people outside the friends list. Cross sharing and additional profiles need separate checks. Viewers may still record a limited audience video. See Meta’s set a limited default audience for reels instructions.

Filter unwanted words in profile comments

Facebook provides a word list for comments on profile content. A Page profanity filter and Instagram’s Hidden Words are different controls.

• On the Facebook website, select your profile picture.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Open Followers and public content.
• Under Viewing and sharing, select Hide comments containing certain words from your profile.
• Add unwanted words, phrases or emojis and save the changes using the control shown.

Why it matters: For example, a word list can reduce repeated abuse, but people can alter spelling or use images. Hidden comments are not a substitute for reporting threats or blocking unwanted contact. See Meta’s filter unwanted words in profile comments instructions.

Restrict Messenger message delivery

Facebook friends, message requests and Messenger contacts are separate categories. Review the groups offered for the teenager’s account.

• Open Messenger.
• Select Menu, then Settings.
• Select Privacy & safety.
• Open Message delivery.
• Select each group of people shown.
• Choose the most restrictive delivery option available for that group, including declining requests where offered.
• Repeat for the remaining groups and check the result with the teenager.

Why it matters: However, request controls reduce unsolicited contact but cannot establish a sender’s identity. Existing chats, accepted contacts and shared spaces can have different rules. Teen defaults may restrict the choices further. See Meta’s restrict messenger message delivery instructions.

Report an abusive Messenger message

Reporting gives Meta the selected material to assess. Blocking and deleting a conversation do not automatically submit a report.

• Open Messenger and enter the affected chat.
• Press and hold the message.
• Select More, then Report.
• Choose the category that best describes the concern.
• Select Submit report.

Why it matters: Report sexual pressure, threats and scams promptly. Reporting may disclose relevant chat material to Meta for review. Do not download or forward sexual images involving children to collect evidence. See Meta’s report an abusive messenger message instructions.

Review devices and end unwanted sessions

A session is a device or browser that is currently signed in. Several entries can belong to the same phone.

• Open Facebook and select Menu.
• Open Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Open Accounts Center, then Password and security.
• Select Where you’re logged in and choose the Facebook account.
• Review the devices, approximate locations and recent activity.
• Select an unfamiliar session and use Log out. If several are unwanted, use the session selection controls offered.

Why it matters: For example, locations can be approximate and mobile networks can look unfamiliar. Investigate alongside the device and time. Change the password and secure the email account if someone else had access. See Meta’s review devices and end unwanted sessions instructions.

Change a weak or exposed password

Use a unique password that the teenager does not reuse for games, email or another social account.

• Open Facebook, then Menu.
• Select Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Open Accounts Center and select Password and security.
• Select Change password and choose the Facebook account.
• Enter the existing password and the new password as requested, then confirm the change.
• If the existing password is unknown, use Forgot password? and complete account recovery.

Why it matters: However, a new password alone may not address stolen email access, malicious apps or existing sessions. Review these controls together and never share verification codes. See Meta’s change a weak or exposed password instructions.

Recover a compromised account

Use Facebook’s own recovery flow instead of a paid recovery service or a person who asks for login codes.

• Open a browser on a device previously used to sign in to Facebook.
• Go directly to Facebook’s hacked account recovery.
• Follow the account identification and security checks.
• After recovery, change the password, secure the email account and review signed in sessions.
• Warn affected contacts through a trusted route if the compromised account sent scams.

Why it matters: Recovery is not guaranteed. Accurate recovery details and a familiar device can help. Do not upload identity documents through a message link or pay someone promising privileged access. See Meta’s recover a compromised account instructions.

Remove unnecessary connected apps and websites

An app that uses Facebook Login may retain permissions or data. Removing access can affect sign in to that separate service.

• On the Facebook website, select your profile picture.
• Open Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Select Apps and Websites.
• Open View and Edit for an app to inspect its permissions.
• For an unwanted app, select Remove and confirm Remove.
• Arrange another sign in method with that service if you need to keep using it.

Why it matters: However, removing access does not automatically delete data already held by the developer. Contact that service separately about deletion and review posts it already shared. See Meta’s remove unnecessary connected apps and websites instructions.

Export a copy of account information

An export helps the account holder review or retain their own information. It is not a parent monitoring dashboard.

• Open Facebook and select Menu.
• Open Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Select Accounts Center, then Your information and permissions.
• Select Export your information, then Create export.
• Select the Facebook profile.
• Choose the destination and information offered, then follow the export prompts.
• Store the resulting files securely and delete unnecessary copies from shared devices.

Why it matters: For example, exports may contain personal information and conversations. A Facebook export does not guarantee that every encrypted Messenger chat is included. Agree how any family review respects privacy. See Meta’s export a copy of account information instructions.

Deactivate or delete the correct account

Deactivation is a temporary break. Deletion is a much larger decision and can affect Messenger and services that use Facebook Login.

• Open Facebook and select Menu.
• Open Settings & privacy, then Settings.
• Open Accounts Center and select Personal details.
• Select Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion.
• Select the intended Facebook account or profile. Read what happens to additional profiles.
• Choose Deactivate account for a break or Delete account for permanent removal.
• Select Continue and read every confirmation before proceeding. Export wanted information first.

Why it matters: However, messages already delivered can remain with recipients. Deactivation can leave Messenger available. Deletion does not instantly erase all copies or cancel every separate subscription. Follow the cancellation period shown for the account. See Meta’s deactivate or delete the correct account instructions.

Choose a reminder or an enforced daily limit

Supervision must be active. A reminder asks the teenager to stop rather than preventing access.

• On the parent’s Facebook account, open Settings, then Family Center.
• Select the teen’s Facebook account.
• Beside Their time spent, select Manage.
• Open Daily limit, set the duration and choose Block teen from Facebook if you want enforcement.
• Confirm the change and review it together.

Why it matters: Other accounts and apps need separate limits. See Meta’s choose a reminder or an enforced daily limit instructions.

Set bedtime access restrictions

Automatic teen sleep protections and a parent configured access block serve different purposes.

• On the parent’s Facebook account, open Settings, then Family Center.
• Select the teen’s Facebook account and choose Manage beside Their time spent.
• Open Sleep mode.
• Set the days and hours. Choose Block teen from Facebook for an access block rather than Remind teen to close Facebook.
• Confirm and check the scheduled hours.

Why it matters: Muted notifications alone do not block use. Keep emergency contact available. See Meta’s set bedtime access restrictions instructions.

Review the teen content protection level

Facebook’s teen content setting limits age inappropriate recommendations and access. It cannot reliably remove every harmful item.

• On the parent’s Facebook account, open Settings, then Family Center.
• Open the teen’s Facebook dashboard.
• Select What content they see, then Content setting.
• Read the protection level shown for the account. Keep Ages 13+ protections or select a stricter option where offered.
• Review any request to reduce protection with the teenager before approving it.

Why it matters: Meta’s documentation describes Ages 13+ as the teen default. Account eligibility and rollouts can affect the choices. A content classification does not make a platform suitable for every teenager. See Meta’s review the teen content protection level instructions.

Choose who can see Stories

Stories need their own audience check. Disappearing from the Story display does not prevent screenshots.

• Open Facebook and start creating a Story.
• Open Settings, then Privacy in the Story editor where shown.
• Choose Friends or a narrower audience offered.
• To exclude specific friends, choose Hide story from and select them.
• Select Save. Check the audience before sharing.

Why it matters: A Story can reveal a current location or school routine. Restricted friends do not see the Story, but permitted viewers can still copy or describe it. See Meta’s choose who can see stories instructions.

Check the public view of the profile

Use View As after changing audiences to inspect what the general public can see.

• Open Facebook and select Menu.
• Select your name to open the profile.
• Open Options and select View As.
• Inspect the visible profile details, images and posts.
• Exit this view and change any unwanted public information through its individual audience control.

Why it matters: This is a public view, not a simulation of what every particular friend sees. Current profile and cover images can expose information even when other posts have a smaller audience. See Meta’s check the public view of the profile instructions.

Facebook Safety Settings and Why They Matter

Facebook safety settings reduce particular risks rather than guaranteeing safety. For example, a smaller audience helps limit exposure, but someone can still copy a post. Similarly, supervision gives parents context without proving that every interaction is safe. Review controls together after app updates or changes to the account.

How to Use Facebook Safely

Agree who the teenager can connect with and what information stays private. In addition, make a plan for unwelcome contact before it happens. A young person should be able to ask for help without expecting blame or an automatic punishment. Keep school names, addresses, live travel plans and identifying photographs out of posts. Device location permission cannot remove location clues already written into a caption or visible in a photo. For parents, calm questions usually provide more useful context than an assumption.

Essential Safety Advice and Current Concerns

Impersonation and Marketplace messages can lead to payment or login scams. For example, verify a friend’s request through another trusted route before sending money. Never enter credentials into a link sent in a message. In addition, treat Meta AI responses as generated content rather than safeguarding advice. Do not share passwords, intimate information or a child’s identifying details with an AI chat. Available AI supervision insights do not necessarily reveal complete conversations or cover every Meta app.

If someone pressures a young person for intimate content, payment or secrecy, stop the exchange and involve a trusted adult. Do not pay a person making threats. Save safe details such as usernames, links and dates rather than forwarding abusive material. However, do not download or forward sexual images involving children to gather evidence. Keep non image details when safe and use the platform’s reporting route. For further help, see Irish support resources.

Safety Settings Across Accounts and Devices

Facebook, Facebook Lite and the desktop website can use different menu labels. Settings also differ between personal profiles, professional profiles and Pages. A Page moderation option is not automatically available on a teenager’s personal profile. Review Facebook and Messenger separately, even when Family Center groups them together. Core privacy and security controls do not require a paid verification subscription. A paid badge does not establish that someone is safe.

Facebook Safety Settings Checklist

• Use the correct birthday and an account eligible for the service.
• Confirm parent linking on both accounts where available.
• Review each privacy, content and contact control described above.
• Protect passwords and recovery information.
• Agree spending and screen time boundaries. A subscription or a saved payment method needs separate review. Do not assume supervision provides a spending cap.
• Check the audience and location clues before posting.
• Know how to stop unwanted contact and ask for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make all Facebook activity private?

No. Audience settings affect specific content. Public groups and some profile details remain visible, so inspect each sharing destination.

Does Facebook supervision cover every Meta app?

Family Center can group supported Meta accounts under one supervision setup. However, each included account needs the required agreement and has its own controls. Check the dashboard for Facebook, Messenger and any other included app separately.

Does blocking report a profile?

No. Reporting and blocking serve different purposes. Use the report option on harmful content and follow its prompts, then block unwanted contact where appropriate.

Related CODA Guides

• Resources for Parents
• Video Guides for Parents and Children
• Useful Helplines and Support Resources

References

• Facebook Teen Accounts: Teen protections and supervised settings.
• Set up Facebook supervision: Teen initiated parent connection.
• Meta Family Center: Supervision across supported Meta apps.
• Facebook privacy settings: Audience and visibility navigation.
• Default post audience: Future post audience choices.
• Block people: Blocking from current settings.
• Two factor authentication: Accounts Center login protection.
• Teen safety updates: Content protection rollout and its scope.
• Limit the audience for older posts: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Reduce friend requests from strangers: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Hide the friends list on the profile: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Reduce suggestions based on contact details: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Disable external search engine links: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Use the Restricted list appropriately: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Review tagged posts before they reach the profile: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Review tags added to your own posts: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Set a limited default audience for Reels: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Filter unwanted words in profile comments: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Restrict Messenger message delivery: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Report an abusive Messenger message: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Review devices and end unwanted sessions: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Change a weak or exposed password: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Recover a compromised account: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Remove unnecessary connected apps and websites: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Export a copy of account information: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Deactivate or delete the correct account: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Choose a reminder or an enforced daily limit: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Review the teen content protection level: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Choose who can see Stories: Official scope and instructions for this control.
• Check the public view of the profile: Official scope and instructions for this control.

About Children of the Digital Age

Children of the Digital Age provides online safety education and training for schools, parents and organisations. Our guides support practical conversations about online behaviour and the choices people make. However, education and app settings do not replace safeguarding or professional support.

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Last updated: 10 October 2026