Ask a Juby: Fake (And Crazy!) Facebook "Friends"

The latest novel from acclaimed humorist Susan Juby investigates the social hierarchy of that most horrific of institutions -- high school. Sherman Mack, the hero of Getting the Girl (coming Fall 2008), is determined to find out who’s been slandering the girls at Harewood Tech. To do  that, he’s going to have to become an expert on many things -- especially the ladies. An expert herself (after all, she survived high school), Susan Juby offers advice on common problems facing today’s  teens.

So, today in Ask a Juby, we present a fresh, new dilemma for the kids: how to deal with a crazy Facebook "friend."

Someone's stalking me on Facebook? What can I do?                                                          
                                                    --I am Online Now and I’m Scared

Dear Online and Scared,

There is a strange Facebook phenomenon whereupon a lot of people who aren’t really friends ask to be your friend because they want to keep tabs on you or, worse, mess with you. Fortunately, Facebook has excellent privacy features. First, if you aren’t sure of someone but want to give them a chance, only allow them to see a limited profile. Next, go into the part of your Facebook account that manages your privacy. It’s called “privacy” and it’s located right beside account info. Dial that sucker back! That’s the tool that allows you to block people and limit what parts of your profile people can see.  Ask your friends (the real ones) not to write extremely personal info on your wall. Save it for the messages.

Be careful about adding the applications that attract creepos. You know the ones: “How Sexy Am I?” “Are My Pants Inappropriately Tight?” and “Calling All Freaks with Boundary Issues!” Stick with applications such as “My Brother is a Super-Protective Cop Who Conducts Internet Investigations” and “Kung Fu Blackbelts Against Stalkers.”

Even though it may be tempting, I’d suggest refraining from posting a lot of information about your relationships (i.e. broken up, back together, complicated).

Finally, if someone is giving you a hard time or making you uncomfortable, delete them. I know, it makes me feel like a paranoid android, too, but it must be done. And if you’re really worried, talk to someone about it, like a counsellor or your parents.

Love, Susan

Email us (deanna.mcfadden@harpercollins.com) if you want to Ask a Juby.