Facebook: The good, Facebook: The good, the bad and the ugly the bad and the ugly

Michael Bertner Michael Bertner

Leslie Jo Shelton Leslie Jo Shelton

Part 1: Orientation Session Part 1: Orientation Session

This session is meant to give a This session is meant to give a general overview of:general overview of:• What Facebook isWhat Facebook is• The history behind FacebookThe history behind Facebook• Basic features of FacebookBasic features of Facebook• General Student Issues Regarding General Student Issues Regarding

FacebookFacebook• General safety tips for all online General safety tips for all online

communicationcommunication

The History of FacebookThe History of Facebook ““Facebook is an online directory that connects Facebook is an online directory that connects

people through social networks at schools” people through social networks at schools” (Facebook.com) (Facebook.com)

Launched to the public Wednesday Feb 4, Launched to the public Wednesday Feb 4, 2004 2004

Harvard students created the site as a tool to Harvard students created the site as a tool to connect with other students in their connect with other students in their communitycommunity

It announces birthdays, events and invitations It announces birthdays, events and invitations Start-up based in Palo Alto, California Start-up based in Palo Alto, California Begin small and is now one of the top ten most Begin small and is now one of the top ten most

visited sites on the web and is profitable visited sites on the web and is profitable

(Information compiled from New York Times.com, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Facebook.com (Information compiled from New York Times.com, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Facebook.com and Wikipeda.com) and Wikipeda.com)

Why Students Make Why Students Make Facebook pages Facebook pages

Generates a sense of community Generates a sense of community Can be used as a form of advertisement Can be used as a form of advertisement Seen as a forum to postulate views Seen as a forum to postulate views High School Facebook might lead to College use High School Facebook might lead to College use Fun way to stay connected to old friends Fun way to stay connected to old friends Easy way to make new friendsEasy way to make new friends Academic support (Connects people through classes, Academic support (Connects people through classes,

fosters partnerships) fosters partnerships) Allows for self-expression and self-representationAllows for self-expression and self-representation Student groups use it as a form of communicationStudent groups use it as a form of communication Part of the new on-line communication movementPart of the new on-line communication movement Free form of mass communication Free form of mass communication

(Information gathered from Personal Experience, New York Times. Com and The Chronicle of Higher Education)(Information gathered from Personal Experience, New York Times. Com and The Chronicle of Higher Education)

Features of Facebook Features of Facebook There is a function that allows you to block There is a function that allows you to block

people people There are standards as to Facebook names (no There are standards as to Facebook names (no

profanity, celebrity, etc) profanity, celebrity, etc) There is no way to see who has looked at your There is no way to see who has looked at your

page page Efforts to stop spammers exist Efforts to stop spammers exist Facebook groups exist by college only, you can Facebook groups exist by college only, you can

not belong to a group that was created at another not belong to a group that was created at another collegecollege

Offensive groups can be reported and shut downOffensive groups can be reported and shut down(Information gathered from Facebook.com) (Information gathered from Facebook.com)

Features continued Features continued High School Facebook does not connect to High School Facebook does not connect to

College Facebook so the two groups of College Facebook so the two groups of students can not minglestudents can not mingle

Facebook supports more than 2500 Facebook supports more than 2500 schools in several countries schools in several countries

Can not mass mail all of your friends Can not mass mail all of your friends Only people on your friends list can post Only people on your friends list can post

on your wall on your wall You can anonymously report offensive You can anonymously report offensive

pictures and content pictures and content (Information gathered from Facebook.com)(Information gathered from Facebook.com)

Student Issues concerning Student Issues concerning FacebookFacebook

Unless you specify “only friends” anyone can Unless you specify “only friends” anyone can see your profile see your profile

You will not know who has viewed your page You will not know who has viewed your page Information can be used against you in a Information can be used against you in a

number of ways number of ways • StalkersStalkers• Practical Jokers Practical Jokers • Thieves Thieves • Con artists Con artists

Universities are beginning to use Facebook for Universities are beginning to use Facebook for a number of functions: a number of functions: • Background checks Background checks • Judicial SanctioningJudicial Sanctioning• General information gathering General information gathering

(Information compiled from New York Times.com, The Chronicle of Higher Education, (Information compiled from New York Times.com, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Facebook.com and Wikipeda.com)Facebook.com and Wikipeda.com)

Safety Continued Safety Continued Communications created through Facebook Communications created through Facebook

are subject to the same laws and policies as are subject to the same laws and policies as written/verbal communication:written/verbal communication:• Therefore threats and intimidation can and Therefore threats and intimidation can and

will be prosecuted in both the Judicial and will be prosecuted in both the Judicial and Legal arena.Legal arena.

Knowledge of the safety issues can keep Knowledge of the safety issues can keep you out of danger, both personally and you out of danger, both personally and Academically Academically

An example of what can happen when An example of what can happen when Facebook is used inappropriately (Diversity Facebook is used inappropriately (Diversity College example) College example)

(Information compiled from New York Times.com, The Chronicle of Higher (Information compiled from New York Times.com, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Facebook.com and Wikipeda.com)Education, Facebook.com and Wikipeda.com)

Basic Online Safety Basic Online Safety All online communication All online communication

(journaling, instant messaging, (journaling, instant messaging, Facebook, rate my professor, etc) Facebook, rate my professor, etc) can be used in both positive and can be used in both positive and negative waysnegative ways

All of these sites are public forums All of these sites are public forums and as such what you write can be and as such what you write can be viewed by others viewed by others

The First Amendment does not The First Amendment does not cover all speech (threats or cover all speech (threats or inflammatory statements for inflammatory statements for example) and students should example) and students should make themselves aware of the make themselves aware of the limitations limitations

Safety continued Safety continued

Repercussions can stem from postings Repercussions can stem from postings Such as: Such as: • Employers can use Facebook to check Employers can use Facebook to check

backgrounds backgrounds • Judicial Officers can use Facebook at a Judicial Officers can use Facebook at a

sanctioning toolsanctioning tool• Threats placed through an electronic forum will Threats placed through an electronic forum will

still be taken as serious and authorities will act still be taken as serious and authorities will act as if the threat is realas if the threat is real

Password safety and identity theft Password safety and identity theft (Information from ASJA listserve)(Information from ASJA listserve)

Why this presentation is necessaryWhy this presentation is necessary

The recent situation involving one of our The recent situation involving one of our students is the perfect example of why students is the perfect example of why such presentations are necessary. such presentations are necessary. • Such a presentation shows us to be proactive, Such a presentation shows us to be proactive,

aware of issues and willing to institute change aware of issues and willing to institute change • This presentation not only benefits our This presentation not only benefits our

students, it gives us something to point to students, it gives us something to point to incase students plead ignorance of such rules incase students plead ignorance of such rules and protocol in the future and protocol in the future

Part 2 Online Tutorial Part 2 Online Tutorial

Why do students need this?Why do students need this?• It is important to go slightly more into depth It is important to go slightly more into depth

with students so that they have a solid with students so that they have a solid understanding of their obligations and risks understanding of their obligations and risks

• Students are more likely to retain the Students are more likely to retain the knowledge if we use multiple ways of knowledge if we use multiple ways of presenting informationpresenting information

• Students will learn better by doing something Students will learn better by doing something engaging rather than sitting passively through engaging rather than sitting passively through a presentation a presentation

The Topics of the Tutorial:The Topics of the Tutorial:

Threats Specific to FacebookThreats Specific to Facebook Uses of FacebookUses of Facebook Possible Harm Coming from Possible Harm Coming from

FacebookFacebook General Electronic Safety General Electronic Safety

Threats Specific to Facebook Threats Specific to Facebook A discussion looking at the positives and A discussion looking at the positives and

negatives of Facebook and other online negatives of Facebook and other online communication toolscommunication tools

Looks at:Looks at:• What a public online space is and what What a public online space is and what

responsibilities a student takes on when responsibilities a student takes on when creating one. creating one.

• How information posted on Facebook can be How information posted on Facebook can be used by others to cause students harm and used by others to cause students harm and distress. distress.

• Specific attention paid to Theft, Stalking, Specific attention paid to Theft, Stalking, Emotional Distress and Identity TheftEmotional Distress and Identity Theft

Uses of FacebookUses of Facebook

Discussion of how postings, groups Discussion of how postings, groups and other media can portray and other media can portray students and affect future chances students and affect future chances for success. Looking at topics such for success. Looking at topics such as how:as how:• Prospective employers use Facebook as Prospective employers use Facebook as

a background checka background check• School Administrators use Facebook for School Administrators use Facebook for

academic decisions and judicial academic decisions and judicial sanctions sanctions

Possible Harm Relating Possible Harm Relating to Facebook to Facebook

Postings, communications and other Postings, communications and other media can cross lines from legal to media can cross lines from legal to illegal and have serious illegal and have serious repercussions in the personal, repercussions in the personal, academic and professional arenasacademic and professional arenas

Discussion of where these lines are Discussion of where these lines are clearly drawn, where they are hazy clearly drawn, where they are hazy and what students need to know and what students need to know

General Electronic Safety General Electronic Safety

A look at password safety (what it A look at password safety (what it should/should not be, how to store should/should not be, how to store it), browser etiquette (closing it), browser etiquette (closing windows that had sensitive/personal windows that had sensitive/personal information), online relationships and information), online relationships and general risks involved and public general risks involved and public viewing rights (who can see what) viewing rights (who can see what)

Why These Topics? Why These Topics? While we know Facebook is a large entity with While we know Facebook is a large entity with

any number of different topics which could be any number of different topics which could be discussed; the topics we have focused upon are discussed; the topics we have focused upon are the ones most likely to create problems for our the ones most likely to create problems for our students if they are not made aware of current students if they are not made aware of current dangers dangers

These topics were agreed upon after research These topics were agreed upon after research was conducted using news outlets (New York was conducted using news outlets (New York Times), higher education journals (The Chronicle Times), higher education journals (The Chronicle of Higher Education), various on line sources of Higher Education), various on line sources (Wikipedia.com, Facebook.com) and reviewing (Wikipedia.com, Facebook.com) and reviewing professional discourse (ASJA Listserve) professional discourse (ASJA Listserve)

Tutorial Test Tutorial Test The test would consist of 20 questions which would be a The test would consist of 20 questions which would be a

mixture of multiple choice and true false questions drawn mixture of multiple choice and true false questions drawn from the variable topics (5 per topic). The quiz would be from the variable topics (5 per topic). The quiz would be made in the form of a Facebook page, with each of the made in the form of a Facebook page, with each of the groups representing a topic students would be quizzed on. groups representing a topic students would be quizzed on. Questions on the quiz would occasionally reference the Questions on the quiz would occasionally reference the mock page to further engage the student. mock page to further engage the student.

Sample questions have been included below to indicate Sample questions have been included below to indicate tutorial content and correct answers have been bolded.tutorial content and correct answers have been bolded.

Correct answers were identified using New York Times.com, Correct answers were identified using New York Times.com, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Facebook.com and The Chronicle of Higher Education, Facebook.com and Wikipeda.com and the ASJA ListserveWikipeda.com and the ASJA Listserve

Question Set 1Question Set 1 Questions for Threats Specific to Facebook:Questions for Threats Specific to Facebook:

1. Who can view a Facebook page: 1. Who can view a Facebook page: A) Anyone who is on the Facebook networkA) Anyone who is on the Facebook networkB) Only people I chose to B) Only people I chose to C)C) Anyone who is on the Facebook network unless I select the friends only Anyone who is on the Facebook network unless I select the friends only

featurefeatureD) Anyone who has access to the internetD) Anyone who has access to the internet

2. Who can create a Facebook page? 2. Who can create a Facebook page? A) Anyone with internet access A) Anyone with internet access B) Anyone with a email account that ends in .eduB) Anyone with a email account that ends in .eduC)C) High School Students, College Students and Alumni who satisfy the site’s High School Students, College Students and Alumni who satisfy the site’s

requirements to sign up requirements to sign up D) Parents of college students D) Parents of college students

3. 3. TrueTrue or False: You can be can be held legally or judicially responsible for or False: You can be can be held legally or judicially responsible for information you post on the internet information you post on the internet

4. True or 4. True or FalseFalse: Facebook does not monitor account names, site content, : Facebook does not monitor account names, site content, multiple accounts, ect. multiple accounts, ect.

5. 5. TrueTrue or False: There is an official reporting system on Facebook if you find or False: There is an official reporting system on Facebook if you find offensive material offensive material

Question Set 2Question Set 2 Questions for Uses of Facebook: Questions for Uses of Facebook:

1. How can Facebook be used: 1. How can Facebook be used: A) It is only a social site A) It is only a social site B) Employers, Schools and other entities can use it as a screening tool B) Employers, Schools and other entities can use it as a screening tool C) A site to find friends and parties C) A site to find friends and parties D)D) All of the above All of the above

2. How might judicial officers currently use facebook? 2. How might judicial officers currently use facebook? A) They can’t, the information is protected under the first amendment A) They can’t, the information is protected under the first amendment B) They can use the information as a sanctioning toolB) They can use the information as a sanctioning toolC)C) Depending on a schools code of conduct and policies judicial officers can Depending on a schools code of conduct and policies judicial officers can

hold students responsible for any content found on the sitehold students responsible for any content found on the siteD) They don’t look at it D) They don’t look at it

3. True or 3. True or FalseFalse: Others can chose to put information on your page : Others can chose to put information on your page

4.4. True True of False: People who visit your profile can see what has been written of False: People who visit your profile can see what has been written on your wall on your wall

5. True or 5. True or FalseFalse: You can make people take picture down of you that they : You can make people take picture down of you that they post on their site post on their site

Question Set 3Question Set 3 Possible Harm Coming From Facebook Questions: Possible Harm Coming From Facebook Questions:

1. Can statements (threats/harassment) made electronically have legal or 1. Can statements (threats/harassment) made electronically have legal or judicial consequences? judicial consequences?

A)A) Yes, they are a form of communication and are covered by the same rules Yes, they are a form of communication and are covered by the same rules that cover spoken and written communications that cover spoken and written communications

B) Yes they are not something people are allowed to do B) Yes they are not something people are allowed to do C) No, saying something electronically is not the same as saying it personallyC) No, saying something electronically is not the same as saying it personallyD) No, its on a website D) No, its on a website

2. Is it a bad idea to list personal information on your Facebook like our 2. Is it a bad idea to list personal information on your Facebook like our sample page individual? sample page individual?

A) No, friends will be able to find me much easier that way A) No, friends will be able to find me much easier that way B) No, none of that information is that big a deal B) No, none of that information is that big a deal C)C) Yes, that information puts me at risk for identity theft, stalking or personal Yes, that information puts me at risk for identity theft, stalking or personal

theft theft D) Yes and no, it’s a personal choice D) Yes and no, it’s a personal choice

3. 3. TrueTrue or False: People could potentially find out where you live, who your or False: People could potentially find out where you live, who your friends are and your schedule through a Facebook account friends are and your schedule through a Facebook account

4. 4. TrueTrue or False: Police may find party invites and crash parties using or False: Police may find party invites and crash parties using information they findinformation they find

5. True or 5. True or FalseFalse: Facebook is responsible for any negative actions that occur : Facebook is responsible for any negative actions that occur as a result of information posted on their site as a result of information posted on their site

Question Set 4Question Set 4 General Electronic Safety: General Electronic Safety:

1. Where should you store your password: 1. Where should you store your password: A) It is fine to write it down and stick it in a drawer A) It is fine to write it down and stick it in a drawer B)B) Written down in a secure location only you and people you trust have Written down in a secure location only you and people you trust have

access to access to C) On your desktop with the file name Password C) On your desktop with the file name Password D) Just tell people, its not that big a deal D) Just tell people, its not that big a deal

2. What should you do when you are finished looking at a secure website? 2. What should you do when you are finished looking at a secure website? A)A) Close the browser window so no one else can see it Close the browser window so no one else can see it B) Minimize the window, it will cycle out of the page eventually B) Minimize the window, it will cycle out of the page eventually C) Just put in a new website, no one would be able to get back to what you C) Just put in a new website, no one would be able to get back to what you

were looking at were looking at D) Leave it where it is, with out your information people can’t do anything with D) Leave it where it is, with out your information people can’t do anything with

it it

3. True or 3. True or FalseFalse: Utilizing the automatic login feature on computers which : Utilizing the automatic login feature on computers which stores user name and password is safe stores user name and password is safe

4. True or 4. True or FalseFalse: There is no risk in having your AIM profile contain links to : There is no risk in having your AIM profile contain links to pages with more personal information included pages with more personal information included

5: True or 5: True or FalseFalse: Online relationships are completely safe because you can : Online relationships are completely safe because you can always log off and the other person knows only what you have told them. always log off and the other person knows only what you have told them.

How do we know it works?How do we know it works? Receiving results: Before distributing student scores they Receiving results: Before distributing student scores they

would be required to fill out an online survey regarding the would be required to fill out an online survey regarding the tutorial and test. This would allow for quantitative and tutorial and test. This would allow for quantitative and qualitative researchqualitative research

The data will be stored and this committee can compare The data will be stored and this committee can compare student behavior pre and post tutorial to see if there are student behavior pre and post tutorial to see if there are correlations between the new program and decreased correlations between the new program and decreased incidents of risky student behavior incidents of risky student behavior

While the committee will meet bi-monthly to discuss While the committee will meet bi-monthly to discuss current needs and concerns, a more formal analysis will be current needs and concerns, a more formal analysis will be conducted one year after launch to analyze necessary conducted one year after launch to analyze necessary change and usefulness change and usefulness

Recommendations Recommendations Faculty and Staff should complete the orientation Faculty and Staff should complete the orientation

and tutorial as well because: and tutorial as well because: • The issues affecting students will bleed over in to faculty The issues affecting students will bleed over in to faculty

life as welllife as well• Students are using online tools more and more as their Students are using online tools more and more as their

preferred form of communication, if we want to meet preferred form of communication, if we want to meet students where they are, we need to know how to talk in students where they are, we need to know how to talk in their languagetheir language

• There are numerous education opportunities Facebook There are numerous education opportunities Facebook presents if used correctly presents if used correctly

• Judicially it is a powerful fact finding tool and can be Judicially it is a powerful fact finding tool and can be used in a number of different capacitiesused in a number of different capacities

• Staff can enjoy the social aspects of the site too!Staff can enjoy the social aspects of the site too!

Final Thoughts Final Thoughts As student affairs practitioners we have the As student affairs practitioners we have the

unique experience of working in a time where unique experience of working in a time where communication tools grow faster than anyone communication tools grow faster than anyone ever thought possible.ever thought possible.• We realize that in order to understand our student’s We realize that in order to understand our student’s

world we must understand the tools they use to engage world we must understand the tools they use to engage one another one another

• While online communication may seem like a fad, the While online communication may seem like a fad, the extraordinary growth of such enterprises suggests it is extraordinary growth of such enterprises suggests it is not going anywherenot going anywhere

• As with new tool or application, when used appropriately As with new tool or application, when used appropriately Facebook has extraordinary potential to form Facebook has extraordinary potential to form community and bonds between students. It falls to us to community and bonds between students. It falls to us to educate our students to be sure they enjoy all of the educate our students to be sure they enjoy all of the befits but none of the risks befits but none of the risks