Dear Just Be: My friends and family keep asking me to join Facebook, but I don’t know what it is and how to join.

Facebook is one of many social networking mediums that allow people with similar interests, or backgrounds to communicate. Simply put it is another way of getting in touch and staying in touch with others. With Facebook you can post pictures, videos, and links to websites you like; send direct messages to certain people, or join in a conversation with multiple people.

Getting started on Facebook is relatively easy. Simply sign up. The next step is filling out your profile. Don’t feel like you have to fill out everything on the form, only fill out what you are comfortable sharing. The next part, and a little more challenging, is adding family and friends to your network. Probably the easiest way to do this is by importing names from your active email account. The final step is reaching out to friends and family. The first way to say hello is writing on a person’s Wall. The Wall is public – so whatever you write on that Wall everyone who is friends with that person will see your message. If you want to write something of a personal nature than use Facebook’s own email service. Messages here can only be seen by the person it is directed to.

There is some etiquette to Facebook. It is not considered polite if you just look at what other people have on their Walls or profiles, but don’t comment or add anything to your Wall and profile. The great part of social media is that it is interactive, so do participate. However, excessive participation (multiple posts throughout an hour) is just as annoying. If you are sharing every moment you take a breath - that is too much. There is a fine line between too much information and not enough. Also, don’t post comments like I just woke up, or I am going for a run. One, no one cares and two, you have to be careful of what you are telling people because unfortunately, people can use that information against you.

Facebook is a dynamic platform to get connected with others you know or have common interests with. Play around on the medium and you will see just how much there is that you can do on Facebook.

For more information on getting started on Facebook visit:
http://news.cnet.com/newbies-guide-to-facebook/

For Facebook do’s and don’ts visit:
http://teenadvice.about.com/od/adviceexpert/a/usingfacebook.htm
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/154374/facebook_etiquette_five_dos_and_donts.htm