Probe tests teens about online dangers

(WPRI) - When your child logs onto Facebook do you know who is reading their every thought? Looking at their pictures? Chatting with them?

You should.

"Like, I'm not naive. I know what's what, but I trust her and I do check on her," said Jackie.

• Interactive: Take the Online Dangers quiz

Working with five local parents and without their kids knowing, we asked if we could "friend" their children. They ranged in age from 11 to 14.

We easily set up a Facebook account, used the name "Alex Murphy" an 18-year-old male.

All five parents hoped their children wouldn't accept this virtual stranger.

"I had a good feeling about it that she would be cautious," said one mom.

"Any parent's hoping that she's going to decline it," said one dad.

"I didn't think that she would accept, honestly," said another mom.

Then we waited.

Within hours "Alex" got his first message from 14-year-old Sarah.

She asked, "Hi. Do I know you?"

She chose not to friend him.

"I don't want to add some creep on Facebook. They could, like, try to come find me!" Sarah said.

Then "Alex" heard from another girl, whose identity we will not reveal.

She accepted his friend request and soon we had access to her every move.

The website showed, at 6:57 a.m. "Alex's" new friend was leaving for school.

Soon, "Alex" had another friend and her every thought and every picture revealed a lot about her.

We are not revealing her identity either.

The father of one of the girls who accepted the stranger's request was visibly upset.

"Disappointed, I guess. Ya know, I guess she's just got to use better judgement," he said. "I probably, I probably could understand why. Kids nowadays, it's a popularity thing."

"Facebook kind of puts it out in front of everyone. Everyone who logs on sees exactly how many friends you have," said South Kingstown Police Officer Damon Borrelli, an internet expert.

• Watch: Web Extra with Facebook Safety Expert

The results:

Of the 5 girls who took part in our Facebook test, two accepted the friend request without question, one questioned "Alex"'s identity, and two girls simply ignored it.

But, even though both of the girls ignored "Alex"'s friend request, our reporter still had access to all of their pictures, their information, even their location.

It turned out the girls didn't have any privacy settings on their Facebook account.

Now, they do.

Related Links:

Facebook Security Quiz

Facebook Security Information

How to Control Your Privacy