Introduction

Facebook helps millions of seniors stay connected with family and friends, share photos, and join communities based on shared interests. However, many seniors don't realize that their personal information might be visible to more people than intended. According to recent studies, adults over 65 are the fastest-growing demographic on Facebook, yet they're often the most vulnerable to privacy issues and scams. In this guide, we'll cover the essential basics of Facebook privacy settings that every senior should know, along with simple techniques that can protect your personal information immediately.

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In this article, you'll discover:

• Why the default Facebook privacy settings may put seniors at risk
• Simple step-by-step instructions to update your privacy controls
• How to control who sees your posts and personal information
• Common Facebook scams targeting seniors and how to avoid them
• A preview of our comprehensive Social Media Security Guide (exclusive to subscribers)

Why Facebook Privacy Matters for Seniors

Many seniors join Facebook with the best intentions—keeping up with grandchildren, reconnecting with old friends, or joining groups related to hobbies and interests. However, without proper privacy settings, your personal information, photos, and posts could be visible to strangers, scammers, and data collectors.

The consequences can range from annoying (targeted advertisements) to dangerous (identity theft, scams, or home security risks if you post about travel plans). By taking a few minutes to adjust your privacy settings, you can enjoy all the benefits of Facebook while minimizing these risks.

Essential Facebook Privacy Settings Every Senior Should Update

1. Review and Update Your Profile Privacy

Your profile contains a wealth of personal information that could be exploited if visible to the wrong people. Here's how to review who can see your profile information:

• Go to your profile by clicking on your name
• Click "About"
• For each section (Work and Education, Places You've Lived, Contact Info), click the edit button (pencil icon)
• Use the audience selector (usually a globe or people icon) to choose who can see this information
• For most personal details, we recommend selecting "Friends" or "Only Me"

Did you know? Many seniors unknowingly share their birth date, hometown, and phone number publicly on Facebook. This information is commonly used to answer security questions for banking and other sensitive accounts!

2. Control Who Sees Your Posts

By default, Facebook often sets your posts to be visible to "Public" – meaning anyone on or off Facebook can see them. Here's how to change that:

• Before making a new post, look for the audience selector below your name (it might say "Public" or "Friends")
• Click it and select who should see your post (we recommend "Friends" for most posts)
• To change the default setting for all future posts:
  
  • Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy > Who can see your future posts?
  • Select your preferred audience (typically "Friends")

For step-by-step screenshots and video tutorials on controlling exactly who sees what on Facebook, check out our comprehensive Social Media Security Guide in our Learning Hub - Get Full Access!

3. Limit Past Posts Visibility

If you've been on Facebook for years, you might have older posts with public settings. Fortunately, you can limit these all at once:

• Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy
• Find "Limit Past Posts" and click "Limit"
• Confirm your choice

This changes all your past public posts to be visible to Friends only.

4. Control Friend Requests

Scammers often use friend requests to gain access to seniors' profiles. Here's how to control who can send you friend requests:

• Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy
• Find "Who can send you friend requests?" and click "Edit"
• Change from "Everyone" to "Friends of Friends"

This simple change significantly reduces random friend requests from potential scammers.

5. Review Apps and Websites

Many seniors don't realize that when they use Facebook to log into other websites or apps, they're often sharing their personal information. Here's how to review and remove these connections:

• Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Apps and Websites
• Remove any apps or websites you don't recognize or no longer use
• For those you keep, click "View and edit" to limit what information they can access

6. Enable Login Alerts

Get notified when someone tries to access your account from an unrecognized device:

• Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login
• Under "Setting Up Extra Security," find "Get alerts about unrecognized logins"
• Click "Edit" and select where you want to receive alerts (via Facebook, email, or both)

7. Hide Your Friends List

Scammers often target friends and family of seniors. Protect your loved ones by hiding your friends list:

• Go to your profile and click "Friends"
• At the top right of the Friends section, click the pencil icon
• Select "Edit Privacy"
• Choose who can see your friends list (we recommend "Only Me" or "Friends")

Common Facebook Scams Targeting Seniors

Knowing how to spot scams is just as important as updating your privacy settings. Be wary of:

• Friend Impersonation: Scammers create fake profiles of people you know, then ask for money or personal information
• Romance Scams: Individuals who express romantic interest quickly, but never seem able to video chat or meet in person
• Giveaway Scams: "Too good to be true" contests requiring you to share personal information
• Fake Emergency Posts: Messages claiming a family member is in trouble and needs money immediately

For more information on how to identify and avoid social media scams, check out our free article on 7 Online Scams Targeting Seniors in 2025.

"I used to worry about who could see my personal information on Facebook. The Cyber Smart Seniors guide helped me lock down my privacy settings and now I feel confident sharing photos with my family without exposing personal details to strangers." — Barbara R., CSS Member

Advanced Facebook Privacy Protection

While the steps above provide basic protection, comprehensive social media safety requires more detailed knowledge. Cyber Smart Seniors members receive:

• Detailed video tutorials on every Facebook privacy setting
• Printable privacy setting checklists you can follow step-by-step
• Regular updates when Facebook changes its privacy controls
• Weekly alerts about new social media scams targeting seniors
• Expert guidance on safely using Facebook Marketplace, Groups, and other features

Frequently Asked Questions

Can people see my Facebook profile if we're not friends?
By default, some information might be visible to everyone. Using the privacy settings outlined above, you can restrict most information to friends only.

How can I tell if someone has created a fake profile of me?
Search for your name on Facebook regularly. If you find a profile using your photos or information, report it immediately using Facebook's reporting tools.

Will changing my privacy settings affect how I use Facebook?
Not at all! You'll still enjoy all the features you love—you'll just have better control over who sees your activity and information.

Should I delete Facebook completely to protect my privacy?
That's not necessary for most people. By properly configuring your privacy settings, you can enjoy the benefits of staying connected while minimizing privacy risks.

Conclusion

Now you understand the basics of Facebook privacy protection, but maintaining your digital safety requires ongoing vigilance as Facebook regularly updates its platform and new scams emerge. Cyber Smart Seniors members get complete, step-by-step protection guides, downloadable checklists, and deep dive podcasts covering everything from email security to online banking safety.

Become a member today and gain peace of mind knowing you have expert guidance just a click away. Our comprehensive library includes 52 premium articles on cybersecurity and technology topics specifically designed for seniors, with new content added weekly to keep you informed about the latest threats and solutions.

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