University of Kentucky Engaging Students in Discussions About Privacy Settings Using Facebook Places

LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- As the University of Kentucky promotes student engagement with Facebook Places, it is also utilizing this new feature to educate students about online privacy.

"Our students are using social networks every day, and so it makes sense that we're a part of that conversation," said Kelley Bozeman, director of marketing at University of Kentucky.  "But we also see a responsibility to educate students about how they can protect their privacy online."  

UK recently launched a new component to its website – www.uky.edu/facebook – which provides detailed information about Places and Facebook's privacy settings.  The university has placed window clings, posters and flyers with the new URL across campus and banners will be installed across campus with information about online privacy.  Information about Places and privacy settings has also been posted to the homepage of the university's website.    

"I think the way UK is promoting Places is pretty cool," said Kelsey Hayes, Student Body Vice-President.  "It's unique, and it will hopefully get students – especially freshmen and those new to campus – to engage with each other.  It's also a great way to help get them acquainted with campus."  

From mobile devices, students using Places share their location by "checking in" to a particular place.  To remind students to check in on campus, the university has installed several six-foot statues – similar to the Places logo – at many of the most frequented buildings on campus.  As students check in, they are able to see who else has checked in to the same location.  

"By promoting the use of Places, we are able to bring the University of Kentucky to our student's Facebook news feeds, which helps raise awareness for our university and introduces our student's friends to various places on campus," said Bozeman.  She added that she is not aware of any other university promoting the use of Places as UK is.    

The University of Kentucky began encouraging students to use Places and to learn more about privacy and tagging settings shortly after Facebook announced the availability of the feature.

For more information about the University of Kentucky, visit www.uky.edu.  

SOURCE University of Kentucky