Facebook privacy for foster carers

[Arkay]

I'm a foster carer and I have an unusual name. Every so often I wonder if I should change my name on facebook just to protect my own privacy (and possibly safety?). I have all my privacy settings on high, so might be pointless doing anything more?

Just wondering what other carers do?

[FosterSword]

I would say it depends on your reasons for doing it and what you would be trying to prevent. I wouldnt hide myself on facebook but make sure information that cant be seen unless they are a friend on my profile.

[jb007]

I don't put my surname on fb to try and make sure my clients can't find me. I don't trust the privacy settings as they seem to change all the time. I still have high privacy settings but using my first and middle name only gives me added security against being found by the wrong people

[theocat]

A friend of mine teaches adults and found she was getting lots of friend requests from students. She preferred to keep her home and work separate so closed her existing Facebook account and set up a new one using a name and character from a well known children's story.

All her personal friends and family are aware of her alter ego and students can't find her. It works very well.

[FruitCider]

I don't have my real name on FB due to nature of my job. Neither do a lot of my friends that are teachers/police officers/prison officers.

[Arkay]

Thanks all. Food for thought.

[Tiggeryoubastard]

I'm in HMPS. I use my married name (maiden name at work) and a derivative of my Christian name.
Teaching relatives tend to use derivatives of their Christian names and tweak their surnames.
Famous friend uses childhood nickname and fake surname.
None of us use recognisable profile pics.

[Kitsandkids]

I have 2 accounts. One with my real name, that I have all relatives in plus friends, school mums, groups I belong to etc. I have all privacy settings high and don't put any pictures of the children on there.

I also have another account with a sort of version of my name. Only relatives plus a couple of close friends, all privacy settings high, no profile picture, but I do (with SS permission) put pictures of my long term foster children on there.

I had their mum message me on my main profile not long ago. I just ignored it then explained to her next time I saw her that I couldn't contact her through there. It was fine, but I'm lucky as the kids' parents and I get on quite well.

[Claramarion]

Since reading this post I have dropped my surname or my facebook as think this makes sense.