Facebook: Hate speech not allowed, report fake profiles

Facebook is a global community of 1.7 billion people (54 million people in the Philippines) who connect and share with the people, places and things that matter to them. Keeping that community and their information safe and secure is core to everything we do.

We’re committed to providing a platform where people can express themselves in a safe and respectful environment. That’s why we have policies, technology, controls and education resources to keep our community and their information safe and secure. With that in mind, here are a few basic tips to remember online:

1) Think before you post.

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and write or do something that may seem funny at the time. But remember, what you say can really hurt someone, or come back to haunt you.

We’ve found it helpful to think about these questions before posting: Is this how I want people to see me? Could somebody use this to hurt me or my reputation? Would I be upset if they shared it with others? What’s the worst thing that could happen if I shared this?

Also remember that any information you post – whether in a comment, a note, or a video chat – might be shared in ways that you didn’t intend. Before you post, ask yourself: Would I be OK if this content was shared widely at school or with my future employer?

Of course, we all make mistakes. If you find yourself wishing you hadn’t said or done something, it’s never too late to apologize.

2) Know who you are communicating with.

On Facebook, every time you share something – a post, a photo or a link – you choose exactly who can see it. You also choose your friends on Facebook and for this reason, it’s important to only accept friend requests from people you know. If you ever receive hurtful or abusive messages or posts on your profile, you have options. Depending on how serious the situation is, you can ignore it, ask the person to stop, unfriend or block the person, or tell your parents, a teacher, a counselor, or another adult you trust. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

3) Play your part.

On Facebook, you can always report abusive content and fake profiles —whether it’s on your profile page, or someone else’s. Everyone who uses Facebook agrees to abide by our Community Standards, which define what kind of posts are welcome and aren’t welcome. For example, hate speech, graphic violence and bullying are not allowed on Facebook and we remove this type of content when it is reported. You can also report inappropriate Pages, Groups, Events and fake or impostor profiles. (Remember that reporting is confidential, so no one will know who made the report.)

This list is just a start. Facebook is a community, but a community only works well if it has certain rules and resources to ensure people feel safe. That’s why we are so dedicated to providing the Facebook community with the tools needed to feel safe and supported. But a community also requires people to take care of it and act responsibly. This month, take some time to think about the ways you can be a better neighbor on Facebook. –Rappler.com

Rappler launched the #NoPlaceForHate campaign this year to take a stand against crude and disrespectful posts and comments that violate standards of civility. This is to ensure the Rappler community feels safe to express their thoughts without the fear of being attacked and swarmed by those who do little to inspire intelligent and informed discussions. Help maintain civility online. Know more of the social media do’s and don’ts here.