Facebook

[Katharine Shaw]

Here at allnations we are looking at security issues with Facebook! Obviously a minefield - but wondered if anyone has experience or good ideas in particular with regard to sensitive countries?

[Marge Ingram]

I know several people who are deleting themselves from FB. Only one of those is a working on the missionfield in a CAN, another works as a surgeon in Scotland and then another is a PA. There is apparently a film about how we are living in public thanks to FB. I think in regard to sensitive countries I would be tempted to delete my FB profile even though it means severing links with people. One well meaning message using 'Christian' wording e.g. Bible, gospel,Jesus etc will be picked up and used to get you out of country. It would be easier to stick to email, where at least people are going to be thinking harder about what they write specifically to you rather than a general update would be easier.

Sorry this is a bit wordy but I hope it helps!

[Katharine Shaw]

Thank you! It's hard - but I think the only thing is to delete your Facebook account - but even then, archived records will still exist - and for some people - losing your facebook is the real "cost" of serving God!

[Marge Ingram]

Somehow i don't think losing FB is worst cost of serving...I think the possibility of losing touch with friends easily may be the biggest cost! The archived records can take months to be deleted, but should be eventually. Apparently there is an archive website that you can use to search for yourself (bizarre, but apparently true).

Missions that work in CAN's may have more information and ideas.

[Ceri]

There was a discussion on this topic some time ago in OSCAR's Facebook group - see http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12509385297&v=app_2373072...!/topic.php?uid=12509385297&topic=3690

I will send a message to the ICT group to see if anyone has updated guidelines on this.

I personally find it sad that the missionaries who are most isolated are being discouraged from Fcebook and the benefits it brings of easy/frequent contact ... it s a challenge to remind ourselves to contact such folk by other means, send them the photos we post on Facebook, do our part to keep them in the loop.

[Paul Morriss]

Here's an extract from Wycliffe UK guidelines:
Staff members are encouraged to use social networking sites (for example, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Youtube, Bebo etc) to build and maintain relationships with their supporters and others who are interested in their work with Wycliffe. Where the context of what is being posted concerns Wycliffe or the staff member's work with the organisation, the information should conform to the Content, Copyright Issues and Guidelines on Design parts of section 4.

Each staff member who mentions themselves in connection with the work of Wycliffe on a social networking site is required to have at least one other Wycliffe staff member in their social network to act as a "buddy". If the staff member isn't aware of any other Wycliffe staff members using the social networking site they should contact Wycliffe UK.

If a buddy becomes aware of anything in another staff member's information that contravenes the Content, Copyright Issues and Guidelines on Design parts of section 4, or anything else that may bring the work of Wycliffe into disrepute, they are to point this out to the staff member in question.

If the staff member is not willing or able to make appropriate changes the issue should be raised with Wycliffe UK."

In the old days every mention of Wycliffe used to have to be approved, but with social media we are relying on colleagues to keep track of what people are doing.

In regards to sensitive countries I would say:
Understand how to control your privacy settings.
If you're concerned, then don't take part in Facebook etc.

[Katharine Shaw]

That's helpful - I like the idea of peers/buddies helping out - a good model to follow I think. Thanks!

[Chrissie Brown]

I would encourage all mission members to avoid any message relating to work. Just use it as a social network site - eg talking to relatives and old friends, and not work related. That way, if you lived in a CAN, no one would know either way. If you only link to friends who you trust not to write anything stupid, or to friends who don't know anything about you that should not be divulged, that should be safe.

[Katharine Shaw]

Thank you Chrissie. It's not just messages - I think it's also to do with applications and how much information they have access to and can show. Being a member of a group or page could still make those in CAN's vulnerable?

Hope you are settling in after your move etc.
Katharine

[Ceri]

Thanks for the reminder about Facebook applications ... Yea I have noticed they often ask for quite personal details like your full date of birth which could leave most of us a little more open to hackers.
We're all learning this as we go along - so it's good to share.
Maybe - don't put on Facebook anything you would put through the paper shredder at home?

[Katharine Shaw]

That sounds like another good idea - I will add that to our comments here for students.