Facebook forms security and safety advisory board

by Stevie Smith - Dec 7 2009, 07:00

After last week joining with market rival MySpace to remove the user accounts of a combined 3,500 known sex offenders, social networking giant Facebook has announced the formation of a special advisory committee that will consult on issues related to online security and user safety.

Specifically, the new Facebook Safety Advisory Board is comprised of five leading Internet safety organisations from North America and Europe that will assemble regularly to review existing safety resources, develop new materials, and seek advice on general safety best practices utilised throughout the Facebook network.

The five contributing participants on Facebook’s board include Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, WiredSafety, Childnet International and The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI).

“We believe that the only way to keep kids safe online is for everyone who wants to protect them to work together,” said Elliot Schrage, vice president of Global Communications and Public Policy at Facebook.

“The formation of a board to advise specifically on safety issues is a positive, innovative and collaborative step towards creating a more robust safety environment, and we are thrilled that such a well-respected, trusted group of organizations has joined us in this endeavor,” he added.

Although Facebook has long-since consulted with external partners regarding its safety practices, the leading network has created the new advisory board in the hope of gathering more feedback and formalising the relationships it presently maintains with those contributory organisations.

Alongside its recent moves to enhance safety and security, Facebook is also presently working with MTV on its ‘A Thin Line’ campaign to prevent digital abuse – as well as working with the BBC to promote its ‘Bullyproof’ campaign designed to clamp down on instances of cyberbullying.

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