Following months of negotiations between Facebook and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), the social media site has agreed to the provision of a panic button to all users, specifically targeting those aged between 13 – 18.

Facebook have made a raft of sweeping changes recently, from the closing of its online gift shop, to the most recent addition of the CEOP backed child safety application. The social networking site had previously been resistant to the panic button feature, insisting that it already had sufficient reporting systems in place.

CEOP has recommended the inclusion of additional measures such as the panic button since November 2009. The feature, which has also received the backing of 44 police chiefs across Britain, is an opt-in service which will be promoted most heavily amongst the 13-18 age group.

Due to the optional nature of the service, a campaign is to be launched by Facebook and CEOP in a bid to raise awareness of the application, as well as the significance of online safety. This campaign involves the display of an automated message on the homepage of users within the most vulnerable age group.

This will be reinforced by a CEOP-Facebook information page which hopes to further educate youngsters of the dangers associated with social networking. By appealing to teenagers through the coverage of topics of interest such as music, celebrities and exams, the page hopes to reach as large an audience as possible.

SEO experts QueryClick.com have welcomed this approach, with the belief that the offerings of popular content will draw in the targeted traffic. One QueryClick spokesperson explained that:

“By appealing to younger Facebook members through their potential areas of interest, and by specifically targeting the 13-18 age group via automated messages, this campaign will contribute greatly towards the improved online safety of Facebook, as well as the level of confidence in parents with regards to their children’s online activity.”

Facebook have cited the reason for the closure as a result of the need to focus their attention on developing the more popular features of their site including, the news feed, photos, the ‘like’ button, and Facebook advertising. In particular, it is the advertising aspect which PPC experts QueryClick.com believe will go from strength to strength in the coming months.

Via EPR Network
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