Some of you may have been asked how to use Facebook by your parents. Direct them to our easy guide to Facebook!

By Xinya

You've heard of it. You've heard your children mention it on the phone to their friends, but what is it? How can you find out more about this elusive social networking creature called 'Facebook'?

What can Facebook do for you? First and foremost it is about social networking. Ever wondered where that friend of yours from high school ended up? Now you have the opportunity to see where they are at, and it is very easy to use.

Starting your profile:

1. In the address bar, enter: www.facebook.com. This will invariably lead to you to the homepage.
2. To start, create an account. This step will require you to enter your personal information.
3. Find a network! This could be your work place, your alma mater, the city you live in, etc.
4. Generally if you enter in your email, Facebook will show you a list of people on your address book who already have

Facebook accounts. Here you have the choice to add them. (And perhaps spy on your children? We know you want to. Just keep in mind they probably won't accept your friend invitation. Sorry.)

Applications:

• THE WALL, Sounds ominous, doesn't it? Don't panic, liberation is just a post away. The wall allows you to post messages for your friends on their profile pages.
• Keep track of your friends' whereabouts through the NEWSFEED on your homepage. Has your sister changed her relationship status again? Be the first to find out (or so you'll think).
• Had an adventure, went somewhere fun and exciting? Be the envy of your friends and post some PHOTOS. This application allows you to create multiple albums, and to add personal commentary to the photos.
• Do you have a freakish obsession with an obscure television show? Join a GROUP.
• Are you someone looking to kill some time or get your brain limbered up? Facebook has a large collection of games, quizzes, and some way out there APPLICATIONS. These allow you to compare your friends, compete with IQ tests,  fly an awkwardly animated man on a jetpack, and so much more.
• So there you go, welcome to the wide wide world of facebook.com. Go crazy, sit back and go “WOW” as you check out your high school sweet heart, do a little dance and event grow your IQ. Forget asking for emails and telephone numbers, just say “Facebook me.”

To our fellow youth: Perhaps it is time to think about your privacy a little more. If you are now worried your parents will see pictures you’ve been tagged in maybe you need to be a little more careful with your actions! Think about who else might see your pictures or read information about you. We’ve seen cases where people have been fired because of their online personas or not hired because of them. Not only that but it just isn’t safe to be putting so much information about yourself out there! Some of the things we see on Gossip Girl­—the abundance of camera phones and people taking pictures of the unsuspecting characters—there is some truth in that! Even Michael Phelps learned that the hard way. So be careful with not only what you do online but in real life as well because everyone can take a picture of you.

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