How to Secure and Make Your Facebook Account Private
(And why it’s important for your safety)
Facebook is a wonderful way to stay in touch with family, see photos of your grandchildren, or reconnect with old friends. But just like you lock your front door at night, it’s also important to make sure your Facebook account is secure and private.
If your account is not private, strangers can see what you post, read your comments, and even send you messages that may not be safe. Luckily, it’s easy to fix this — even if you don’t know much about technology.
This YEI guide will show you, step by step, how to make your Facebook account more private and secure.
Why is privacy important on Facebook?
When your Facebook is private, only the people you know and trust can see what you post. This helps keep your personal information safe from strangers, scammers, and unwanted messages.
If your account is public, anyone can see your photos, read your comments, and try to contact you — even people you don’t know.
How to make your Facebook private – Step by Step
You don’t need to be a computer expert to do this. Just take it slowly, step by step.
Step 1: Log into your Facebook account
Use your phone, tablet, or computer and open Facebook. Type in your name and password like you usually do.
Step 2: Go to your Settings
Look for a small circle in the top right corner of the screen (on a phone it might be three lines). Click it.
Scroll down and click on Settings.
Step 3: Click on Privacy Checkup
Once you’re in Settings, look for Privacy Checkup. This will guide you through the main areas that need to be made private.
Step 4: Choose “Who can see what you share”
Here you can choose who can see your posts, photos, and other information.
• Set it to Friends (this means only people you’ve accepted as friends can see what you post).
• Make sure it’s not set to Public (this means anyone can see your posts, even people you don’t know).
Step 5: Limit past posts
Facebook allows you to hide older posts from the public too. Choose Limit Past Posts to change all your old posts to be visible to Friends only.
Step 6: Check your personal information
Still in Privacy Checkup, look at the section called How people can find you on Facebook.
• Make sure your phone number and email address are not visible to everyone.
• Set them to Only Me or Friends only.
Step 7: Create a strong password
Go back to Settings and find Security and Login. Make sure your password is strong. Use a mix of letters and numbers — and avoid using your name or birthday. If you’re not sure how to change your password, ask someone you trust to help you.
What else should I know?
• Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know.
• Don’t post your phone number, address, or email in public comments.
• If something looks strange or you don’t feel safe, ask a family member to check it for you.
A Final Word from YEI
You don’t need to understand everything about Facebook to stay safe. Just by following these simple steps, you’ll protect your privacy and enjoy social media with peace of mind.
Remember: it’s okay to ask for help. Many people feel unsure when it comes to technology. The most important thing is that you are willing to learn.
Stay safe, enjoy your time online, and know that your information is protected — just the way it should be.
You’ve Earned It is here to support you as you explore and enjoy the online world — safely, confidently, and one step at a time.
A YEI article
