Think Before You Post, says Facebook to Indian teens

With growing instances of online abuse and bullying, Facebook launched the 'Think Before You Share' campaign to make teenagers think carefully before they post information, ideas or photos online.

With growing instances of online abuse and bullying, Facebook launched the 'Think Before You Share' campaign to make teenagers think carefully before they post information, ideas or photos online.

Launched in India in nine local languages, including Hindi, Gujarati and Bengali, the 'Think Before You Share' guide not only addresses a host of problems that teenagers are likely to face, but also tells them how to address them.

For starters, social media is a place where it is easy to forget that the information that is shared online can be re-shared by others, even strangers, if the privacy settings aren't too strong. This gives miscreants the leverage to misuse the 'shared' information and arm-twist teens into a corner.

This is where Facebook steps in with a Social Reporting Tool. If one is not comfortable with, say a tagged photo, or is constantly harassed by a stranger, they can report this to Facebook. In turn, Facebook asks the teenager if they want an adult or trusted person to intervene. If they choose to go ahead with the option, that person would be intimated about the same.

Facebook also guides parents and teachers on how to deal with the problem and how to approach the issue. But before you reach this stage, the social networking site has listed out precautionary measures to be well guarded online.

Here are a few ways adolescents can stay safe online (as mentioned in ' Think Before You Share ')

Before you share content online, ask yourself: is this how I want people to see me? Could somebody use this to hurt me? What's the worst thing that could happen if I shared this?

Sometimes, friends share passwords with each other when all is good, but unfortunately this can turn into a nightmare later. Don't share your password.

An image lasts forever, even if you have done everything to delete it.

Remember that if somebody asks you to share something you are not comfortable with you have the right to say no.